William Russ (born October 20, 1950) is an American actor and television director. He played Alan Matthews on the sitcom Boy Meets World (1993–2000) and appeared in the television series Wiseguy, the soap operas Another World and The Young and the Restless and the feature films The Right Stuff (1983), Pastime (1990) and American History X (1998).
Career Russ' acting first began on the New York stage before he embarked onto a television and film career. In 1977, he had his first supporting role in Death Bed: The Bed That Eats. This film would not be officially released until 2003.
During the 1980s, Russ found work in more supporting roles such as Crisis at Central High (1981), a television film also starring Academy Award winning actress Joanne Woodward, The Border (1981), The Right Stuff (1983) as Slick Goodlin, St. Elsewhere (1986) and Crime Story (1986).
He continued finding work in both television and film. He also guest-starred in the television series Miami Vice in the notable 1985 episode "Evan" as the title character, an ATF agent who shared a history with Don Johnson's character, Sonny Crockett. He made fourteen appearances on the 1987–1990 crime drama Wiseguy as Roger Lococco.
Russ received critical acclaim when he starred in Pastime (1990) as Roy Dean Bream, a veteran minor league hurler who mentors a young phenomenon. The role earned him a nomination at the 1992 Independent Spirit Awards for "Best Male Lead.".
In 1993, he was cast as Alan Matthews on the television sitcom Boy Meets World. Russ played this role until the series ended in 2000. Russ also directed several episodes of the series during the last three seasons. His other television directing credits include directing one episode of both Lizzie McGuire and Rude Awakening.
However, he continued performing in other series and films throughout his time on Boy Meets World, primarily television films. In 1998, he performed as Danny and Derek Vinyard's father in the critically acclaimed American History X. Later, he starred in the short-lived television serial drama Mister Sterling.
In fall 2009, it was announced that Russ would be cast as the new character Tucker on The Young and the Restless. Russ' time on the show was short, however, as it has been announced the role of Tucker was being recast with Stephen Nichols replacing Russ in the role.
Russ is the star of the comedy web series Home at Last. In the series, he portrays "Bob", a homeless man who moves in with the son he abandoned at birth.
In 2014, Russ reprised his role of Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World on its spinoff Girl Meets World. In season 2, he joined the production crew, and directed one episode, being the only cast member to direct episodes of both Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World.
Filmography +Film Year Title Role Notes 1977 Death Bed: The Bed That Eats Sharon's Brother 1979 Just You and Me, Kid Demesta 1980 Cruising Paul Gaines 1981 Cattle Annie and Little Britches Little Dick Raidler 1982 The Border Jimbo 1983 The Right Stuff Slick Goodlin 1984 Courage Sonny 1985 Beer Merle Draggett 1986 Wanted: Dead or Alive Danny Quintz Tour of Duty - Sgt Michaels 1987 Dead of Winter Rob Sweeney 1988 The Unholy Luke 1989 Disorganized Crime Nick Bartkowski 1991 Pastime Roy Dean Bream 1992 Traces of Red Michael Dobson 1993 Aspen Extreme Dave Ritchie 1997 When Danger Follows You Home Det. Tyler Barnes 1998 American History X Dennis Vinyard2001 Buck Naked Arson Ranger Lightcap Life as a House Uncredited2009 Gary's Walk Vernon Pawn Justin Elliot Randolph Short film A Fork in the Road Det. Ross 2010 1,001 Ways to Enjoy the Missionary Position Evan 2011 Green Guys Peter Donnelly 2012 California Solo Rusty 2013 Drones General Lawson 2018 Between Waves Sonny 2019 Father By Law Dale Short film 2023 Founders Day Mr. Jackson
+Television Year Title Role Notes 1978 Another World Burt McGowan Unknown episodes 1981 Crisis at Central High J.O. Powell TV movie1982 CBS Library Rattlesnake Episode: "Robbers, Rooftops and Witches" Rehearsal for Murder Frank Heller TV movie The Dukes of Hazzard Josh Scroggins Episode: "The New Dukes"1983 Remington Steele Chance McCormick Episode: "Steele's Gold" V Brad TV miniseries1985 Riptide Mack McPherson Episode: "Polly Want an Explanation" Miami Vice Evan Freed Episode: "Evan" Hunter Jack Lachman Episode: "Fire Man" Command 5 J.D. Smith TV movie The Long Hot Summer Jody Varner TV movie1986 St. Elsewhere Patrick O'Casey Episodes: "Time Heals (1)", "Time Heals (2)" Blood & Orchids Lloyd Murdoch TV movie Second Serve Josh TV movie Houston: The Legend of Texas William Travis TV movie Crime Story Det. Wes Connelly Episodes: "Pilot (1)", "Pilot (2)", "Crime Pays" 1987 Tour of Duty Sgt. Early Ray Michaels Episode: "War Lover" 1988 The Loner Jake Wilis TV movie 1988–1990 Wiseguy Roger Lococco 14 episodes 1989 Nasty Boys Ben Farlow TV movie1990 Capital News Redmond Dunne 13 episodes A Promise to Keep Carl TV movie1991 Gabriel's Fire Brad Fixx Episode: "Truth and Consequences" The Young Riders Roger Episode: "Daisy" Crazy From the Heart Dewey Whitcomb TV movie1992 Bad City Story Jim Malone Unsold TV pilot Drive Like Lightning Boll Donner TV movie Middle Ages Terry 3 episodes1993 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Jack Randolph Episode: "Socrates' Sister" CBS Schoolbreak Special Coach Jim Doane Episode: "Other Mothers" seaQuest DSV Rusty Thomas Episode: "Brothers and Sisters" 1993–2000 Boy Meets World Alan Matthews Main role, 120 episodes, Directed 9 Episodes 1994 Viper Mr. Townsend Episode: Pilot1995 Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story Bill West TV movie The Marshal Loyal Truscott Episode: "Pilot" Legend Wild Bill Hickok Episode: "The Life, Death, and Life of Wild Bill Hickok" Trail of Tears David TV movie1996 Have You Seen My Son Van Stein TV movie A Husband, a Wife and a Lover Art Maskin TV movie Nash Bridges Scott Lamont/"The Monk" Episode: "Trackdown"1997 Night Sins Sheriff Steiger TV miniseries Stargate SG-1 Capt. Jonas Hansen Episode: "The First Commandment"1999 A Secret Life Mark Whitman TV movie Replacing Dad George Marsh TV movie Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story Joseph Bonaduce TV movie2000 Ally McBeal Michael Bassett Episodes: "Two's a Crowd", "Without a Net" Level 9 Agent Colter Episode: "A Price to Pay" 2001 Touched by an Angel Prof. Thomas North Episode: "Holy of Holies"2002 The Division Jesse Whalen Episode: "Shelby" Crossing Jordan D.A. Jack Olson Episode: "There's No Place Like Home" MDs James Wiles Episode: "A La Casa" Robbery Homicide Division Elliot Ayers Episode: "City of Strivers"2003 Mister Sterling Tommy Doyle Main role, 10 episodes Dragnet Ted Paris Episode: "Redemption" The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire Rev. Deeker Episode: "Sleeping Lions" Finding John Christmas Hank McAllister TV movie2004 Silver Lake Phil Patterson TV movie Deadwood Otis Russell Episodes: "Jewel's Boot Is Made for Walking", "Sold Under Sin" CSI: NY Mr. Prescott Episode: "Creatures of the Night" JAG Maj. Gen. Earl Watson Episodes: "Fighting Words", "This Just In from Baghdad" NYPD Blue Hal Matheson Episode: "I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid"2005 The West Wing Dan Episode: "Message of the Week" Without a Trace Max Cassidy Episode: "Freefall" 2005–2008 Boston Legal A.D.A Christopher Palmer 5 episodes2006 The Sopranos Paul Calviano Episode: "Moe n' Joe" Just Legal Bartender Episode: "The Bar" Reunion Congress Clark Episodes: "1995", "1996"2007 Demons Senator Carney Unsold TV pilot Ghost Whisperer Bill Bristow Episode: :Dead to Rights" Numb3rs Michael Shannon Episode: "Money for Nothing" Standoff Warren Keegan Episode: "Road Trip" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Jonah Quinn Episode: "The Case of the Cross-Dressing Carp"2008 Wildfire Congressman Dean Nichols Episode: "The More Things Change (1)", "The More Things Change (2)", "Friendship/Passion" The Ex List Jimmy Bloom Recurring role, 9 episodes 2009 The Mentalist Dooley Gerber Episode: "Black Gold and Red Blood" 2009–2010 The Young and the Restless Tucker McCall 2010 Cold Case Tim Hudson Episode: "The Last Drive-In" 2011 Home At Last Bob Episodes 1–6201190210Salty's Place ownerEpisode: "Up in Smoke"2011LeverageMorris BeckEpisode: "The 10 Li'l Grifters Job"2012Criminal MindsDonald CollinsEpisode: "A Family Affair"2012AwakeJim MayhewEpisode: "Guilty"2012NCISPhillip WickesEpisode: "The Tell"2014–2017Girl Meets WorldAlan MatthewsEpisodes: "Girl Meets Home for the Holidays", "Girl Meets Goodbye" (Directed "Girl Meets Hurricane")2015ScandalFrank HollandEpisode: "Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance"2017ColonyHennessey3 episodes2017GrimmScott MudgettBreakfast in Bed2018BoschCaptain Garwood3 episodes20199-1-1Chuck2 episodes2022Animal KingdomTre3 episodes
Awards and nominations Independent Spirit Awards 1992: Nominated, "Best Male Lead" – Pastime
References
External links
Home at Last