Kurt Russell Earns His Big Bucks

Claudia Eller expressed surprise that Kurt Russell, a star with less “marquee value” than A-list actors, was being paid $10 million for the upcoming “Escape From L.A.” (“Despite ‘Waterworld,’ Big Movies Won’t Dry Up,” Business, July 25). Liz Smith likewise remarked that Russell’s fee was a “sensational salary for a guy who’s really not quite in the upper echelon of box-office draws” (“Russell’s Banking on ‘L.A.,’ ” Calendar, July 21).

When “Stargate,” starring Kurt Russell, surprised all box-office prognosticators last year, cinematic sages could not explain how a movie with “no big-name stars” could become a runaway hit.

When “Tombstone,” starring Kurt Russell, hit a box-office bull’s-eye and clearly eclipsed “Wyatt Earp,” despite the latter film’s more “bankable” star and lavish budget, Hollywood observers were again perplexed.

Perhaps it’s time we recognized that Kurt Russell is a box-office draw. Maybe he doesn’t have a chain of over-glitzed burger joints opening around the world and he doesn’t give the tabloid writers any job security. But he has been making movies most of his life and has a wider range than most of today’s popular crop of leading men.

He was making family entertainment back in the days when families actually went to movies--”The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,” “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t.”

His wonderful television work ranges from memorable guest-star roles in series such as “The Fugitive” and “Police Story” to the finest portrayal of Elvis on screen, in John Carpenter’s TV biopic. He excels in drama--remember his outstanding performance opposite Meryl Streep in “Silkwood”?

His superb comic timing turned “Used Cars” into a joy ride. His sense of humor shines through in action-adventure roles when he squints and hisses Eastwood-like in “Escape From New York” or swaggers and drawls through “Big Trouble in Little China” in an outrageous homage to John Wayne. Whether he’s battling an alien monster in “The Thing” or a disturbed police officer in “Unlawful Entry,” Russell brings a rare genuine quality to his portrayals of ordinary men trapped in dire circumstances.

Russell is not over-pumped and stuck on himself, he takes chances in roles most A-list actors would be afraid to try, and he has built a career with tremendous depth. Whether it’s science-fiction, suspense thriller or romantic comedy, audiences know he’ll show them a good time. That’s the kind of star who sells tickets. Kurt Russell in the big leagues? He has been there all along.