Russell Simmons Movies
Def Jam Records co-founder
Russell Simmons first branched out into movies when he acted and co-produced in the 1985 rap movie
Krush Groove. Essentially a glorified biography of his own life, with
Blair Underwood assuming the role of Simmons, the movie didn't score well with critics but was a box-office success. Another hip-hop based movie followed, 1988's
Tougher Than Leather, before Simmons assumed full control of Def Jam when co-founder
Rick Rubin left. Almost immediately he set up Rush Communications, dipping his hand in nearly everything from a clothing line, to television comedy, to magazine production. At this time Simmons also began producing movies. Pictures he's backed creatively and/or financially include
The Addiction, The Nutty Professor and
Gridlock'd. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Movie Guide
