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{{short description|American film and television director duo}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Russo brothers
| image = Joe Russo & Anthony Russo by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| landscape = yes
| caption = Joe (left) and Anthony Russo in 2019
| birth_date = '''Anthony Russo''' {{Birth date and age|1970|02|03}} [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], U.S.<hr />'''Joseph Russo''' {{Birth date and age|1971|07|18}} Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Film directors|film producers|screenwriters|actors}}
| years_active = 1997–present
| father = [[Basil Russo]]
| relatives = [[Vince Russo]] (brother)
}}

'''Anthony Russo''' (born February 3, 1970) and '''Joseph Russo''' (born July 18, 1971), collectively known as the '''Russo brothers''' ({{respell|ROO|soh}}), are American directors, producers, and screenwriters. They direct most of their work together. They are best known for directing four films in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU): ''[[Captain America: The Winter Soldier]]'' (2014), ''[[Captain America: Civil War]]'' (2016), ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'' (2018), and ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' (2019). ''Endgame'' grossed over $2.798 billion worldwide, briefly becoming the [[List of highest-grossing films#Highest-grossing films|highest-grossing film of all time]].

The brothers have also worked as directors and producers on the comedy series ''[[Arrested Development]]'' (2003–2005), ''[[Community (TV series)|Community]]'' (2009–2014), and ''[[Happy Endings (TV series)|Happy Endings]]'' (2011–2012). They won a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for ''Arrested Development''.

==Early life==
Anthony Russo (born February 3, 1970)<ref>{{cite news |title=Anthony Russo Biography |url=https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/anthony-russo/7302/|access-date=December 2, 2019 |work=[[Tribute (magazine)|Tribute]]| archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191215190635/https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/anthony-russo/7302/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fji">{{cite news|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/content/soldier-showdown-joe-and-anthony-russo-take-helm-%E2%80%98captain-america%E2%80%99-franchise |title= Soldier showdown: Joe and Anthony Russo take the helm of 'Captain America' franchise|first=Frank |last=Lovece |author-link=Frank Lovece|date= March 25, 2014|quote =I was born in February of 1970 and Joe was born in the hood of Brooklyn, New York. I am the top shot.|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921124129/http://www.filmjournal.com/content/soldier-showdown-joe-and-anthony-russo-take-helm-%E2%80%98captain-america%E2%80%99-franchise|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Joseph Russo (born July 18, 1971)<ref name="fji" /><ref>{{cite tweet|title=Happy Birthday Joe|user= Russo_Brothers|number=1152001444309901312| author=Russo Brothers verified account|date=July 18, 2019|archivedate=August 5, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805105152/https://twitter.com/russo_brothers/status/1152001444309901312|url-status= live}} "Despite what Wiki says, it's actually today."</ref> were born and raised in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]], the sons of Patricia Gallupoli and attorney and judge [[Basil Russo]].<ref name="Italians in Hollywood" /> Their parents were both of Italian descent.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/moviebuff/index.ssf/2013/06/captain_america_the_winter_sol_5.html|title='Captain America: The Winter Soldier': Directors Anthony and Joe Russo on landing in the Marvel universe and their love of '70s crime thrillers|date= January 12, 2019|first=Clint|last=O'Connor|newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]| location=Cleveland, Ohio|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718011212/https://www.cleveland.com/moviebuff/2013/06/captain_america_the_winter_sol_5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Their paternal and maternal families emigrated from [[Sicily]] and [[Abruzzo]], respectively, and settling in Ohio.<ref name="Italians in Hollywood">{{Cite web|title=Italians in Hollywood|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/italians-in-hollywood/bgICZnGiLUtPLA|publisher=Italian American Museum of Los Angeles|via=Google Arts & Culture|language=en|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200718010542/https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/bgICZnGiLUtPLA|url-status=live|quote=The Russo and Gallupoli families ... emigrated from the humble villages of Longi and Caccamo, Sicily, and Spoltore, Abruzzo}}</ref> They attended [[Benedictine High School (Ohio)|Benedictine High School]].<ref name="plaindealer">{{cite news|title=Anthony and Joe Russo put 'Community' on edge for NBC comedy series|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2009/08/anthony_and_joe_russo_put_comm.html|first=John|last=Luttermoser|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio|date=August 29, 2009|access-date=February 11, 2014|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200718011922/https://www.cleveland.com/tv/2009/08/anthony_and_joe_russo_put_comm.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Joe graduated from the [[University of Iowa]] and majored in English and writing, while Anthony graduated from the [[University of Pennsylvania]] and majored in business before switching to English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/july16/captainamerica.cfm|title=Iowa Alumni Magazine: Captain Middle America|publisher=University of Iowa Alumni|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080510/http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/july16/captainamerica.cfm|archive-date=February 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/2016/05/09/iowa-has-close-ties-captain-america-series/84136830/|title=Iowa has close ties to 'Captain America' series|first=Courtney|last=Crowder|date=May 9, 2016|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|location=Iowa, U.S.|access-date=July 18, 2017|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200718012402/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/2016/05/09/iowa-has-close-ties-captain-america-series/84136830/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a27153691/russo-brothers-marvel-avengers-endgame-interview/|title=The Russo Brothers Have Post-'Avengers' Grand Plans|last=Cohen|first=Rich|date=April 22, 2019| magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-17|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428162128/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a27153691/russo-brothers-marvel-avengers-endgame-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career ==
The Russo brothers were graduate students at [[Case Western Reserve University]] (where Anthony studied law and Joe studied acting at UEA) when they began directing, writing, and producing their first feature, ''Pieces.'' They financed the film with student loans and credit cards.<ref name="community">{{cite news |url= http://www.nbc.com/community/bios/anthony-and-joe-russo.shtml | title = Anthony and Joe Russo: Executive Producers/Directors | work = Community |publisher=Official site at NBC | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922111030/http://www.nbc.com/community/bios/anthony-and-joe-russo.shtml | archive-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> After viewing ''Pieces'' at the [[Slamdance Film Festival]], [[Steven Soderbergh]] approached the duo and offered to produce their next film, along with his producing partner [[George Clooney]].<ref name="community" /> This project was the crime comedy ''[[Welcome to Collinwood]]'', starring [[William H. Macy]], [[Sam Rockwell]], and Clooney.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cassady |first=Charles Jr. |date=September 28, 2002 |title=Russo brothers put Cleveland in spotlight |url=https://www.morningjournal.com/news/russo-brothers-put-cleveland-in-spotlight/article_cf7411c5-946a-5b9e-9ca8-e541b2885016.html |work=[[The Morning Journal]] |access-date=July 18, 2017}}</ref>

[[FX (TV channel)|FX network]] executive [[Kevin Reilly (executive)|Kevin Reilly]] hired the Russos to direct the pilot for the series ''[[Lucky (American TV series)|Lucky]]'', having liked the pair's work on ''Collinwood''. [[Ron Howard]] was a fan of the pilot, and he had a hand in hiring the brothers to direct the [[Pilot (Arrested Development)|pilot]] for [[Fox television network|Fox]]'s ''[[Arrested Development]]''.<ref name="community" />

The Russo brothers directed ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'' (2018), which became the first superhero movie to gross over $2 billion at the box office. They are the third directors to make a $2 billion movie after [[James Cameron]]'s films ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'' and ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' and [[J. J. Abrams]]'s film ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]''. Its sequel, ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'', was released on April 26, 2019, broke numerous [[List of box office records set by Avengers: Endgame|box office records]], and became the second superhero movie to gross over $2 billion.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/russo-brothers-direct-avengers-infinity-783685|title=Russo Brothers to Direct 'Avengers: Infinity War' Parts 1 and 2|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|last2=Siegemund-Broka|first2=Austin|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 23, 2015|access-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323220517/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/russo-brothers-direct-avengers-infinity-783685|archive-date=March 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> They join James Cameron as the only directors to make two $2 billion films.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://scroll.in/reel/918568/what-to-expect-as-the-countdown-to-avengers-endgame-begins-the-cost-of-being-a-hero|title=What to expect as the countdown to 'Avengers: Endgame' begins: 'The cost of being a hero'|first=Sruthi Ganapathy|last=Raman|magazine=Scroll|location=India}}</ref>

The brothers are financing the Los Angeles and Beijing joint-production company Anthem & Song, which is producing the Chinese superhero film ''The Hero's Awakening''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russo-brothers-launch-studio-produce-874955|title=Russo Brothers Launch Studio to Produce Chinese-Language Films (Exclusive)|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Brzeski|first=Patrick|date=March 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/captain-america-filmmakers-announce-chinese-superhero-project-1201770387/|title='Captain America' Filmmakers Announce Chinese Superhero Project|magazine=Variety|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>

The Russos also served as producers of the film ''[[Everything Everywhere All At Once]]'', written and directed by [[Daniels (directors)|Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michelle-yeoh-awkwafina-reunite-film-swiss-army-man-directors-1138633|title=Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina in Talks for Film From 'Swiss Army Man' Directors|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|date=August 30, 2018|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=June 28, 2018}}</ref> The film, released in theatres in March 2022, is [[A24]]'s highest-grossing film worldwide at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2022-06-10 |title='Everything Everywhere All At Once' Becomes A24's Highest Grossing Movie Of All-Time At Global Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-a24-box-office-record-2-1235042399/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! [[Film director|Directors]]
! [[Screenwriter|Writer(s)]]
! [[Film producer|Producers]]
|-
| 1997
| ''Pieces''{{efn|Unreleased theatrically in the United States.}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Welcome to Collinwood]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2006
| ''[[You, Me and Dupree]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Crashing (film)|Crashing]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|{{Partial|Executive}}
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Captain America: The Winter Soldier]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2014
|''[[A Merry Friggin' Christmas]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|{{Partial|Executive}}
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Captain America: Civil War]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2018
| ''Dizzy Pursuit''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|{{Partial|Executive}}
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2019
| ''[[21 Bridges]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Mosul (2019 action film)|Mosul]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2019
| ''Super Me''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|{{Partial|Executive}}
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Extraction (2020 film)|Extraction]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes|Joe Russo}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Relic (2020 film)|Relic]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|{{Partial|Executive}}
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Cherry (2021 film)|Cherry]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2022
| ''[[The Gray Man (2022 film)|The Gray Man]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes|Joe Russo}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Everything Everywhere All at Once]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Extraction 2]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes|Joe Russo}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2023
| ''[[All Fun and Games]]''
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{Partial|Executive}}
|-
| 2024
| ''[[The Electric State]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
|}


===Television===
{| class = "wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Director(s)
! Executive producer(s)
! Episode(s)
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Lucky (American TV series)|Lucky]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| "Pilot", "Up the Streaks"
|-
| 2003–2005
| ''[[Arrested Development]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Both''': "Pilot" '''Anthony only:''' "Top Banana", "Key Decisions", "The Immaculate Election", "Spring Breakout" '''Joe only:''' "Bringing Up Buster", "In God We Trust", "Pier Pressure", "Marta Complex", "Shock and Aww", "Missing Kitty", "Hand to God", "Motherboy XXX", "Meat the Veals" }}
|-
| 2004–2005
| ''[[LAX (TV series)|LAX]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Both''': "Pilot" '''Anthony only''': "The Longest Day", "The Pictures to Prove It", "Mixed Signals" '''Joe only''': "Finnegan Again, Begin Again", "Thanksgiving", "Senator's Daughter" 7 episodes}}
|-
| 2006
| ''[[What About Brian]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| "Pilot"
|-
| 2007–2008
| ''[[Carpoolers]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Both''': "Pilot" '''Anthony only:''' "The Code", "The Recital" '''Joe only:''' "Laird of the Rings", "What Would You Do?", "Down for the Count", "The Seminar", "A Divorce to Remember", "The Handsomest Man", "Lost in America" All episodes}}
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Comedy Showcase]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| "[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]"
|-
| 2009–2014
| ''[[Community (TV series)|Community]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Both:''' "[[Pilot (Community)|Pilot]]" '''Anthony only:''' "[[Introduction to Film]]", "[[Social Psychology]]", "[[Home Economics]]", "[[The Politics of Human Sexuality]]", "[[Physical Education (Community)|Physical Education]]", "[[Beginner Pottery]]", "[[The Psychology of Letting Go]]", "[[Basic Rocket Science]]", "[[Asian Population Studies]]", "[[Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy]]", "[[Biology 101]]", "[[Competitive Ecology]]", "[[Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism]]" '''Joe only:''' "[[Spanish 101]]", "[[Advanced Criminal Law]]", "[[Football, Feminism and You]]", "[[Debate 109]]", "[[Investigative Journalism (Community)|Investigative Journalism]]", "[[Romantic Expressionism]]", "[[Pascal's Triangle Revisited]]", "[[Anthropology 101]]", "[[Accounting for Lawyers]]", "[[Cooperative Calligraphy]]", "[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (Community)|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]", "[[Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking]]", "[[Competitive Wine Tasting]]", "[[A Fistful of Paintballs]]", "[[For a Few Paintballs More]]", "[[Geography of Global Conflict]]", "[[Advanced Gay]]", "[[Documentary Filmmaking: Redux]]", "[[Geothermal Escapism]]", "[[Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]" 34 episodes}}
|-
|rowspan=2| 2010
| ''[[Running Wilde]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| "Pilot"
|-
| ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| Original ''Comedy Showcase'' Pilot
|-
|rowspan=2| 2011–2012
| ''[[Happy Endings (TV series)|Happy Endings]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Both:''' "Pilot" '''Anthony only:''' "Barefoot Pedaler", "Blax, Snake, Home", "Secrets and Limos" '''Joe only:''' "Bo Fight", "Yesandwitch", "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" 7 episodes}}
|-
| ''[[Up All Night (TV series)|Up All Night]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Joe only:''' "Cool Neighbors", "Working Late and Working It", "Day After Valentine's Day"}}
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Animal Practice]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{hidden|Episodes|'''Both:''' "Pilot" '''Anthony only:''' "Clean-Smelling Pirate" '''Joe only:''' "Ralphie" 3 episodes}}
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Agent Carter (TV series)|Agent Carter]]''
| {{yes|Joe Russo}}
| {{no}}
| Episode: "[[Bridge and Tunnel (Agent Carter)|Bridge and Tunnel]]" (as Joseph V. Russo)
|-
|rowspan=2| 2019
| ''[[Deadly Class (TV series)|Deadly Class]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 10 episodes
|-
| ''[[Larry Charles' Dangerous World of Comedy]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 4 episodes
|-
| 2022
|''[[From (TV series)|From]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| 10 episodes
|-
|2023
| ''[[Citadel (TV series)|Citadel]]''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
|}

===Other===
*''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]'' - Season 6, Chapter 2 opening cinematic (co-directed, March 2021).<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/17/22336542/fortnite-season-6-opening-russo-brothers-avengers | title = Fortnite's season 6 opening cinematic was co-directed by the Russo brothers | first = Andrew | last= Webster | date =March 17, 2021 | access-date = March 17, 2021 | work = [[The Verge]] }}</ref>

===Joe Russo's acting credits===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''
| Joe
| Episode "Hand to God"
|-
| 2006
| ''[[You, Me and Dupree]]''
| Personal Trainer
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Captain America: The Winter Soldier]]''
| Dr. Fine
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Captain America: Civil War]]''
| Dr. Theo Broussard
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]''
| Bert
| Deleted scene
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2019
| rowspan=2 | ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]''
| Grieving Man
| Credited as Gozie Agbo
|-
| [[Thanos (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Thanos]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Avengers: Endgame Director Played Thanos in Karen Gillan's Nebula Scenes |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/avengers-endgame-director-joe-russo-played-thanos-karen-gillan-nebula-scenes/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Marvel |language=en}}</ref>
|Additional motion-capture only; uncredited
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
| Movie Executive (Voice)
| Episode "[[Bart the Bad Guy]]"
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Cherry (2021 film)|Cherry]]''
| Restaurant Owner
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[The Gray Man (2022 film)|The Gray Man]]''
| CIA DDO Fine
| uncredited
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[List of highest-grossing film directors]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{IMDb name|0751577|name=Anthony Russo}}
* {{IMDb name|0751648|name=Joe Russo}}

{{Anthony and Joe Russo}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyDirector 2001-2025}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Russo brothers}}
[[Category:Action film directors]]
[[Category:American film directors]]
[[Category:American film editors]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:Television producers from Ohio]]
[[Category:Artists from Cleveland]]
[[Category:Case Western Reserve University alumni]]
[[Category:English-language film directors]]
[[Category:Film producers from Ohio]]
[[Category:Filmmaking duos]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Ohio]]
[[Category:Sibling duos]]
[[Category:Sibling filmmakers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:American writers of Italian descent]]

Russo brothers - Revision history

AidanHeim7993963: cleanup

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article