July 18 - Joe Russo

Happy 49th Birthday, Joe Russo! Born today in 1971 as Joseph Russo, he and his older brother Anthony are collectively known as the Russo brothers.  

Both of the brothers are directors, producers, screenwriters, editors, and actors. They direct most of their work together. 

The Russo brothers were born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the sons of Patricia (née Gallupoli) and American attorney, politician of the Democratic Party, and judge Basil Russo. Their parents were both of Italian descent.  

Their paternal and maternal families immigrated from Sicily and Abruzzo, respectively, fleeing poverty and settling in Ohio to work its steel mills. 

Both of the brothers had attended Benedictine High School; a private Roman Catholic college preparatory school for boys. 

Years later, 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. 

The Russo brothers were graduate students at Case Western Reserve University (where Anthony studied law and Joe studied acting) when they began directing, writing, and producing their first feature,  

This was the 1997 American comedy film 'Pieces.' Both of the brothers had financed the film with student loans and credit cards. 

After viewing 'Pieces' at the 19th Sundance Film Festival, Steven Soderbergh ('Sex, Lies, and Videotape', 'Traffic') approached the duo and offered to produce their next film, along with his producing partner George Clooney.  

This project was the brothers 2002 American caper comedy/crime film 'Welcome to Collinwood', starring Clooney, William H. Macy, and Sam Rockwell.

After this, American media executive Kevin Reilly hired the Russos to direct the pilot for the series American dark comedy television 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 for Fox's American television sitcom Arrested Development. The brothers later won a Primetime Emmy Award for their work on the episode. 

In the mid-2000s, the Russo brothers returned to film, directing Owen Wilson in the 2006 American comedy/romance film 'You, Me and Dupree'. 

For the late 2000s television season, the Russos joined the crew of ABC's American single-camera comedy series Carpoolers (2007–2008) as executive producers and directors.  

Afterwards, the brothers served as executive producers and directors on the first several seasons of NBC's American television sitcom Community (2009–2015) and ABC's American television sitcom Happy Endings (2011–2013). 

By June 2013, the Russos were in final talks to direct Marvel Studios' second Captain America movie. The following month, the brothers wrapped principal production in July. 

This was for the 2014 American superhero action/adventure film 'Captain American: The Winter Soldier', released on April 4. 

Earlier, in January 2014, the brothers signed on to return to direct the third Captain America film. This was for the 2016 American superhero action/adventure film 'Captain America: Civil War'. 

In March 2015, the brothers were set to direct an all-male counterpart to Paul Feig's ('Bridesmaids') all-female Ghostbusters reboot.  

This was for his 2016 American supernatural comedy/fantasy film of the same name. It would be produced by Sony's new-founded production company, Ghost Corps. 

The film was released in January. However, as of March 2016, the Russos are no longer attached to the Ghostbusters project. 

On May 6, 'Civil War' was released. On a budget of $250 million, the film grossed $1.153 billion at the box office. 

Two years later, the Russo Brothers directed the film of which they are best known. This was the 2018 American superhero action/sci-fi film 'Avengers: Infinity War'. 

On a budget of $316–400 million, the film grossed $2.048 billion at the box office, 'Infinity War' had become the first superhero feature to accomplish this.  

The brothers are the third directors to make a $2 billion film after James Cameron's 'Titanic' and 'Avatar'. 

This also includes J. J. Abrams' 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (also known as 'Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens').  

The sequel to 'Infinity War' was the 2019 American superhero action/sci-fi film 'Avengers: End Game', released on April 26 of that same year. 

On a budget of $356 million, the film grossed $2.798 billion at the box office. 

The brothers broke numerous box office records, and became the second superhero movie to gross over $2 billion. Both join Cameron as the only directors to make two $2 billion films.

In 'Avengers: Infinity War', Stan Lee had a brief cameo appearance, credited as Bus Driver. In 'Avengers; Endgame', he had a brief cameo appearance, credited as Driver.

Joe Russo said while promoting 'Endgame' in Mumbai, India, "Both the films ask the question, what is the cost of being a hero? The films are about community and heroes standing up against tyranny. We certainly look at that as waves of nationalism sweep the world." 

The brothers have also directed the post-credits scene of the 2015 American superhero action/adventure film 'Ant-Man' and the mid-credits scene for the 2019 American superhero action/sci-fi film 'Captain Marvel'. 

Russo has been active from 1994–present. 

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