Steven Jay Russell
| Steven Jay Russell | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 14, 1957 Virginia Beach |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Other names | Nicknamed "Houdini" and "King Con" and "Sunshine" |
| Occupation | Con artist |
| Known for | Multiple successful escapes from several prisons |
Steven Jay Russell (born September 14, 1957) is a U.S. con artist and impostor, known for escaping from prison multiple times. He has received numerous nicknames, including "Houdini" and "King Con." A film about his life and crimes was produced in 2009, named I Love You Phillip Morris. In 2011, his crimes were featured in the TV show I Almost Got Away with It in the episode "Got a Boyfriend to Support."
On March 20, 1998, Russell posed as a millionaire from Virginia in an attempt to legitimize a $75,000 loan from NationsBank in Dallas. When bank officials became suspicious and alerted the police, Russell feigned a heart attack and was transported to a hospital. While in the hospital, Russell was placed under guard by FBI agents. However, Russell managed to impersonate an FBI agent on his cell phone and convinced those guarding him that he was no longer a wanted man.[1]
As of 2010 Russell, Texas Department of Criminal Justice #00760259,[2][3] is located in the Polunsky Unit.[4] Due to cumulative crimes, his release date from prison is July 12, 2140.
Contents |
[edit] Russell in the media
[edit] Film
A film about his life and crimes was produced in 2009, named I Love You Phillip Morris, starring Jim Carrey as Steven Jay Russell[5] and Ewan McGregor as his boyfriend Phillip Morris.[6]
[edit] Internet and print media
Since the movie went into production and Steven Jay Russell's story became more popular, several articles appeared in print and online uncovering lesser known details of his exploits. Esquire magazine interviewed both Steven Russell and Phillip Morris for its feature, "The Great Escapee",[7] while The Guardian published "I Love You, Phillip Morris: A Conman's Story".[8]
[edit] Sources
- McVicker, Steve (June 25, 2003). I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks. Miramax Books. ISBN 0-7868-6903-8.
- McWilliams, James (July 4, 2003). "The Master Manipulator". The Texas Observer. http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=1394. Retrieved 2006-09-19.
[edit] References
- ^ The Lakekand Ledger, April, 10, 1998, via google news, with a photo of S. Russell, page B5 (10 in the google reader).
- ^ "RUSSELL,STEVEN L." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on December 10, 2010. TDCJ ID: 00760259, SID: 05138971
- ^ Stein, Joshua David. "Ewan McGregor: Filthy and Gorgeous." Out. Friday February 12, 2010. Retrieved on December 10, 2010. "[...] the two live lavishly until Russell gets caught and goes to prison for good (Escape, Case No. 9,856-C). Russell -- Inmate No. 00760259 -- has a maximum sentence that would keep him imprisoned until July 12, 2140 -- 47,595 days after the film opens."
- ^ Day, Elizabeth. "I love you Phillip Morris: a conman's story." The Observer. Sunday September 6, 2009. Retrieved on December 10, 2010.
- ^ JustPressPlay.net, "Jim Carrey Loves Phillip Morris"
- ^ Ewan McGregor Cast In I Love You Phillip Morris |The Movie Blog
- ^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/44574829/The-Great-Escapee
- ^ Day, Elizabeth (September 6, 2009). "I love you Phillip Morris: a conman's story". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/sep/06/steven-russell-elizabeth-day-jim-carrey.
