Russell Lu
Russell Lucas brings extensive international and domestic politics experience, particularly Middle Eastern politics. Currently he teaches classes for MSU’s Global Studies program and specializes in political institutions, democratization, foreign policy and public opinion studies.
Russ will discuss his career at BMW and provide insight into its unique culture. His talk is free and open to the public.
Early Life and Education
Lucas grew up in Modesto, California as the son of a stationery store owner. He attended Modesto Junior College before going on to the University of Southern California film school where his student short “Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138-4EB” won a national competition.
After graduating from USC, Lucas co-founded American Zoetrope with Francis Ford Coppola. They adapted his student short THX 1138 into a full-length feature film which ultimately proved both commercially and critically unsuccessful.
After moving to New York City, Lucas briefly pursued professional theater including Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi. To establish street credibility he shot a drug dealer four times on a busy sidewalk – an act which earned the attention of Ellsworth Johnson, an influential mobster responsible for gambling and extortion rackets in Harlem.
Professional Career
Lucas had the opportunity to develop his basketball skills by joining the Sunset Park summer basketball scene, which hosted college players from around the nation and provided him with ample scrimmaging sessions that helped to refine and perfect his own game immensely.
Beginning his professional career with the Cincinnati Royals, he quickly established himself as an integral member of their roster and helped increase ticket sales for their games.
In 1962-63 he was sought out by both the NBA and newly formed ABL leagues; however he refused to sign with Cleveland Pipers instead opting to stay with Royals.
He suffered a broken hand during 1969-70 season but came back strong the next year, averaging 19.2 points per game and 15.8 rebounds while his outside shooting skills, often well beyond today’s three-point line, caused many teams to alter their defensive strategies accordingly.
Achievement and Honors
Lucas led Middletown High School to an undefeated state championship and later, while playing center on Ohio State, won their inaugural NCAA Championship by holding Cal All-American Darrall Imhoff to eight points as they captured their inaugural national crown.
Lucas co-founded American Zoetrope with Coppola to establish a studio that would give filmmakers more creative freedom than Hollywood studios could. Their first feature film production was called THX 1138, released that same year.
Lucasfilm Ltd currently includes Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound; entertainment software developer LucasArts; and the THX division which sets industry standards for movie theaters and home theater systems. Furthermore, they produce and distribute several successful film franchises such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
Personal Life
Russ was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. A pillar of Barnegat Bay community life, Russ hosted sailing fundraisers while teaching people how to sail – often hosting Dave Dellenbaugh Rules Talks himself and providing unwavering support to BBYRA fleet captain.
He co-produced and co-wrote Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi as well as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Last Crusade through Lucasfilm Company. Additionally he directed various other films and TV series.
He presently teaches Middle East culture and politics, as well as global studies at Michigan State University. Additionally, in his free time he enjoys fishing and gardening.
Net Worth
Russell Crowe has made his mark as an accomplished actor who can captivate audiences with captivating performances across a range of roles that showcase his acting prowess. Additionally, he has ventured into producing and directing to further enhance his abilities and expand his artistic horizons.
Frank Lucas earned an estimated daily gross of one million dollars during his heyday of drug dealing during the 1970s, though this may have been greatly exaggerated. One thing is certain though – Frank Lucas was clearly one of the wealthiest individuals alive at that time.
In 2005, his net worth saw an enormous boost when he appeared in the boxing film Cinderella Man and earned $20 million for this role. Subsequently, his portrayal of Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator earned even more.