Russell Gilbert (born 17 October 1959) is an Australian comedian from
Footscray, Victoria
Footscray ( ) is an inner-city Suburbs and localities (Australia), suburb in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia, west of Melbourne's Melbourne City Centre, Central Business District, located within the City of Maribyrnong Loca ...
, best known for his television appearances on programs such as '' The Comedy Company'', ''
Hey Hey It's Saturday
''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' is a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 28 years on the Nine Network from 9 October 1971 to 20 November 1999, with a recess in 1978. Its host throughout its entire ...
'' and ''
The Russell Gilbert Show
''The Russell Gilbert Show'' is a short-lived Australian comedy show hosted by Russell Gilbert in 1998. It was produced by Somers Carroll Productions and was partially a spin-off from ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'', where Gilbert had risen to prominen ...
''; he was also a radio presenter and a live stage and film actor.
In 2015, Gilbert suffered a
stroke
Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...
during surgery to treat a
brain aneurysm
An intracranial aneurysm, also known as a cerebral aneurysm, is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by a localized dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain due to a weakness in the vessel wall. These aneurysms can occur in an ...
. Since then he has mostly receded from public life.
Career
Television
Gilbert has appeared in several Australian TV comedies, first attracting notice as "Russ the Postie" on
Network 10
Network 10 (commonly known as the 10 Network, Channel 10 or simply 10) is an Australian commercial television network. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Global's UK & Australia division and is one of the five national free-to-a ...
's ''The Comedy Company'' (1988–89). This role led him to a nine-year stint on the
Nine Network
Nine Network (stylised 9Network, and commonly known as Channel Nine or simply Nine) is an Australian commercial free-to-air television network. It is owned by parent company Nine Entertainment and is one of the five main free-to-air television ...
's ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' (1990–1999). Gilbert also played Kev the tow-truck driver in the sitcom ''Bingles'' (1992). In the late 1990s, he began starring in his own shows made at Nine, all of which were short-lived—even though they all rated well: ''The Russell Gilbert Show'' (1998), a sketch comedy show; ''Russell Gilbert Live'' (2000), a Saturday-evening variety show featuring celebrity interviews as well as live and sketch comedy; and ''Russell Gilbert Was Here!'' (2001), another sketch series.
In 2003, Gilbert hosted the game show ''Bark-Off'' with
Livinia Nixon
Livinia Helen Nixon (born 19 March 1975) is an Australian television presenter and actress.
Nixon is the chief weather presenter for '' Nine News Melbourne'' and presenter on travel program '' Getaway''.Channel 31 Melbourne sketch comedy show ''The Shambles'' and the comedy program '' Thank God You're Here'', and hosted ''Great Comedy Classics'', a compilation of popular British sitcoms, including ''
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC1, created and written by Raymond Allen (scriptwriter), Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. It was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for two series, inc ...
'' and ''
Are You Being Served?
''Are You Being Served?'' is a British television sitcom that was broadcast from 1972 to 1985. It was created and written by David Croft (TV producer), David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd. Croft also served as executive producer and television directo ...
'' for the
Seven Network
Seven Network (stylised 7Network, and commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is an Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, ...
. In May 2007, Gilbert appeared as one of the celebrity performers on the second season of Seven's celebrity reality singing competition '' It Takes Two.'' He also worked as a writer on the Network Ten sketch series '' The Wedge''.
In 1995 and 1996, Gilbert was nominated for a Logie for the Most Popular Comedy Personality for his work on ''Hey Hey It's Saturday''.
In March 2023, a two-part best-of compilation from ''The Russell Gilbert Show'' was put on the air to help raise funds for Gilbert.
Ned Kelly
Edward Kelly (December 185411 November 1880) was an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader, bank robber and convicted police-murderer. One of the last bushrangers, he is known for wearing armour of the Kelly gang, a suit of bulletproof ...
'' (2003), playing Constable Hall; '' The Extra'' (2005); and '' Housos vs. Authority'' (2012). He also appeared unbilled in the
Jason Donovan
Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap ''Neighbours'', playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 millio ...
telemovie ''Loot'' (2004).
Radio
In 2004, Gilbert ventured into radio as co-host of ''Weekend Leave Pass'' on
SEN 1116
1116 SEN (call sign 3AK) is an Australian radio station in Victoria, Australia. Owned and operated by Sports Entertainment Group, it broadcasts a sports radio format. It commenced broadcasting on 29 November 1931 as 3AK, the station currently ...
with Mark Fine.
Personal life
Gilbert is a passionate supporter of the AFL club
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are a professional Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray. The club competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's premier competition.
Originally named the Footscray F ...
and has made several appearances at the E. J. Whitten Legends Game. In 2002, he kicked a goal while on the bench at one such game. In 2010, Gilbert kicked a goal in the third quarter and then another in the fourth. As a
running gag
A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling. Though they are similar, catchphrases are no ...
during these games, Gilbert is notorious for ripping off his jersey in the final minutes of the game while in possession of the ball deep in defense. Underneath, his opponent team's jersey would be revealed, kicking a goal for the team for which he had changed allegiance to.
Gilbert was in a relationship with television producer Rochelle Nolan from 1996 until her suicide in September 2015.
Two weeks after Nolan's death, Gilbert was diagnosed with a
brain aneurysm
An intracranial aneurysm, also known as a cerebral aneurysm, is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by a localized dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain due to a weakness in the vessel wall. These aneurysms can occur in an ...
. He later suffered a
stroke
Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...
while undergoing surgery to treat the aneurysm which impacted his ability to speak and left him unable to work; his rehabilitation included weekly treatments to help improve his speech and memory. In July 2016, Gilbert attended a gala comedy event held to raise funds for his ongoing rehabilitation and care, and in 2017 he released a music video for a song called "Tinderella" which was originally recorded and filmed in 2015. However, since then, Gilbert has mostly receded from public life.