Russell Simmons Biography and Wiki

Russell Simmons is an American record executive, writer, film producer and businessman who is well known as the chair and CEO of Rush Communications. He is also known as the co-founder of the hip-hop music label, Def Jam Recordings, from which he has stepped down for a while after several accusations of sexual misconduct and assault.

Simmons was born in Hollis, Queens, New York City and raised in Maryland state. His passion for music developed at a young age; he would freestyle with other kids in his block when they were not in school or helping with house chores like gardening or taking out the trash.

As of the film making business, the record executive admired what he saw on television. He wanted to be an actor right away after seeing his favorite childhood movie. As time went by, he found himself interested in putting his experiences and sentiments on paper. He would switch his writing into poems and song lyrics and occasionally into scripts.

Russell Simmons Age and Birthday

The record executive is 62 years old as of 2019 as he was born on October 4, 1957, in Hollis, New York, United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on October 4th every year and will be 63 years old on Oct. 4th, 2020.

Russell Simmons Height and Weight

Simmons is a man gigantic stature. He stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.76 meters). He also weighs a massive 198 lbs (86 kg).

Russell Simmons Education

Simmons attended the City College of New York in Harlem after graduating from August Martin High School in 1975. There he met Kurt Walker, a young DJ/Bboy, who inspired him to take part in the hip-hop phenomenon.

Russell Simmons Family

Russell Simmons Parents

Russell’s father, Daniel Simmons, is an actor who worked as a public school principal, whereas his mother, Evelyn Simmons, is a teacher who worked as the New York City Parks and Recreation Department superintendent. Daniel is known for appearing in movies like Krush Groove and Tougher Than Leather. Thus, we can say that Russell’s entry in the show biz was also influenced by his actor father.

Russell Simmons Brother | Siblings

His brothers are the expressionist painter Daniel Simmons Jr., and rapper Joseph Simmons (better known as the Run-DMC fame Rev Run /DJ Run).

Besides, Joseph is a practicing minister referred to as Reverend Run. He is also best known for appearing as himself in his MTV reality show Run’s House.

Russell Simmons Wife

Simmons was married to Kimora Lee. The couple tied their knot on December 20, 1998, on the island of Saint Barthélemy and together they are blessed with two children namely, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.

The duo met in November 1992 and in March 2006, they separated. They finalized their divorce in 2009. Simmons’ ex-wife is an entrepreneur like her ex-husband as well as a fashion designer, TV personality, author, TONY winner, philanthropist, and model. She is now the wife of Tim Leissner, a banker and former Goldman Sachs partner in Asia who is convicted of bribery and money laundering in connection with the theft from 1MDB.

Russell Simmons Kids | Daughters

Kimora Lee and Simmons share two beautiful children together. The firstborn is named Ming Lee Simmons and was born on 21 January 2000. On the other hand, her younger sister, Aoki Lee Simmons, was born on 16 August 2002. The two sisters share a strong bond and they grew up Starring in Baby Phat Campaigns.

Russell Simmons Facts and Body Measurements

• Full Name: Russell Wendell Simmons
• Age/ How Old?:62
• Date of Birth: October 4, 1957

• Place of Birth: Hollis, New York
• Education‎: City College of New York
• Birthday: 4th October

• Nationality: American
• Father’s Name: Daniel Simmons
• Mother’s Name: Evelyn Simmons

• Siblings: Two brothers
• Married?: Divorced
• Children/ Kids: Two daughters

• Height/ How tall?: 1.76 m
• Weight: 86kg
• Profession: Record executive, writer, film producer and entrepreneur
• Net worth: $340 million

Russell Simmons Career

In 1983, Simmons co-founded Def Jam with Rick Rubin, who sold his share of the company for $120 million to Universal Music Group in 1996. Rush Communications Inc., is Simmons’ company, it includes over ten businesses and three non-profits. Simmons and Stan Lathan his partner, have also produced television hits HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam, and currently has a development deal with HBO.

Russell Simmons Jewelry

Simmons launched the clothing line Phat Fashions L.L.C using the Phat Farm and Phat Baby labels in 1992. When he first created Phat Fashions L.L.C, the clothing line was sold in a shop in the SoHo district of Manhattan. Famous rap artists helped to promote the clothing line to a wide audience.

Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger gave the clothing line a classic look and feel thus influencing it. Phat Fashions encompassed not only hip hop clothing for men but also women and children. Phat Fashions grew into a lifestyle brand with the addition of jewelry, perfume, and other merchandise.

Phat Fashions L.L.C sold merchandise in two stores in New York and Montreal as well as online at www.phatfarm.com. In addition, the clothing line was carried by some 3,000 retailers in the United States. Later on, the record executive sold Phat Farm and Baby Phat to the Kellwood Company for $140 million in 2004.

Together with his brothers Danny Simmons and Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, founded the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation in 1995. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide art education and support to under-serviced youth by helping people of color access the arts and by providing exhibition opportunities. The Foundation serves about 3,000 students annually and maintains two galleries.

The Rush Arts Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan and the Corridor Gallery in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn exhibit the work of more than 100 community and emerging artists.

Russell Simmons Social Activism

Simmons has been vegan since 1999 and advocates Ahimsa and veganism, citing animal rights along with the environmental and health benefits. Simmons supports Farm Sanctuary, an organization working to end cruelty to farm animals.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals awarded him the PETA Humanitarian Award and the 2011 Person of the Year Award. In 2009, Simmons organized thousands of protestors and hip-hop celebrities in front of city hall demanding a change of the harsh sentencing of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.

Simmons in 2002, became chairman of the board of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. He was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Slavery Memorial at the United Nations. It was to honor the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in May 2009.

Simmons actively supports the Somaly Mam Foundation and was honored at their 2011 gala dinner. He endorses the second Muslim Jewish Conference 2011 officially. He served as the official patron of the conference held July 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine together with Rabbi Marc Schneier. In 2011, he took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests, visiting the protesters at Zuccotti Park often and for many consecutive days.

Simmons is also a longtime supporter of gay rights. He encourages marriage equality. When the retail corporation in 2011 Lowe’s withdrew funding from the show All-American Muslim, Simmons promised to pay the Learning Channel for any revenue lost.

The record executive supported Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s re-election campaign. He appeared with the politician at various speaking events in 2012. He pledged support for New York’s mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio in November 2013 in recognition of his support for animal rights.

Simmons criticized Donald Trump his friend, real estate developer and United States president in 2015, in an open letter after Trump called for Muslim immigrants to be barred from entering the United States. In 2017, he was listed by UK based company Richtopia at number 23 in the list of 200 Most Influential Social-Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists Worldwide.

Russell Simmons Sexual Misconduct

Allegations started in November 2017 when model Keri Claussen Khalighi accused Simmons of sexually assaulting her in 1991 when she was seventeen. Simmons and Brett Ratner, who was accused by Khalighi of watching them without helping when she cried out for his aid, both deny that the encounter was non-consensual.

As the allegation was covered in the press, Terry Crews accused Simmons of attempting to influence him to take back sexual assault allegations that Crews had recently brought up against film executive Adam Venit, asking that Crews “give him a pass … ask that he be reinstated.”

Crews posted a screenshot of the alleged e-mail he had received from Simmons on his Twitter account. On 30th November 2017, writer Jenny Lumet claimed that Simmons had assaulted her in 1991. Simmons in response said he would step down from his positions with his businesses.

The Los Angeles Times published an investigative report on December 13, 2017, in which five women accused Simmons of sexual misconduct; including an alleged rape. The New York Times on the same day, published the accounts of four other women who accused Simmons of inappropriate conduct; including three alleged rapes. Simmons in response to the allegations stated he “never had a sexual encounter that was not consensual or lawful. Ever.”

Accusers

• Kelly Cutrone, publicist, and author.
• Keri Claussen Khalighi, model.
• Lisa Kirk, an acquaintance of Simmons

• Toni Sallie, music journalist.
• Amanda Seales, actor and comedian (verbal harassment).
• Natashia Williams-Blach, actress.

• Luann de Lesseps, reality television personality.
• Jenny Lumet, screenwriter.
• Sherri Hines, musician.

• Tina Baker, singer-turned-lawyer.
• Drew Dixon, former music recording executive.
• Jennifer Jarosik, filmmaker.

Russell Simmons Oprah

Oprah Winfrey withdrew from her position as an executive producer from a documentary detailing sexual misconduct allegations against Simmons. She cited creative differences and insisted that the decision had nothing to do with pressure from the record executive.

Although Winfrey has admitted that Simmons repeatedly urged her not to trust the female subject at the center of the film, Drew Dixon, she said she still believed Dixon but thought there were times she was inconsistent while telling her story.

Russell Simmons Books

• Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, God, published September 24, 2001.
• Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and More, published March 29, 2005.
• Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success, published April 10, 2008.

• Super Rich: Inside and Out, published November 1, 2011.
• Success Through Stillness, published March 11, 2014.
• The Happy Vegan, published November 4, 2015.

Russell Simmons Salary

US record executive salaries range from an average of $51,232 to $432,655 a year. However, these figures may vary substantially according to the level of seniority of the employee in question. At the moment, we do not have the exact salary figures of Simmons but we’ll keep tabs and update once it is available.

Russell Simmons Net Worth

Simmons has enjoyed a long career in the music industry spanning almost three decades. Through proceeds from his work as a record executive and writer and film producer, he has been able to accumulate a huge fortune. He is estimated to have a net worth of about $340 million.

Russell Simmons Awards and Achievements

His legacy ranges from writing to making executive decisions in his record label and to business investments. He is undoubtedly a fine record executive as outlined in the following awards and accomplishments:

• 2001 PETA Humanitarian Award
• 2011 Person of the Year Award
• Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters for his work as chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding

Frequently Asked Questions About Russell Simmons

Who is Russell Simmons?

Russell is an accomplished film producer, record executive, entrepreneur and writer who gained wide recognition as the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings.

How old is Russell Simmons?

He is an American national born on 4^th October 1957, in Hollis, New York.

How tall is Russell Simmons?

Russell stands at a height of 1.76 meters.

Is Russell Simmons married?

No, he was married to Kimora Lee. They got married in 1998 and together they have two children. Nevertheless, the couple divorced in 2009.

How much is Russell Simmons worth?

Russell has an approximate net worth of $340 million. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the entertainment industry.

How much does Russell Simmons make?

At the moment, we do not have the exact salary figures of Russell but we’ll keep tabs and update once it is available.

Where does R. Simmons live?

Russell is a resident of Bali, Indonesia. We shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.

Is R. Simmons dead or alive?

He is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.

Where is R. Simmons Now?

Russell is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry. On the Record, a documentary about his sexual allegations was released in January 2020. He is now a resident of Bali where there is no extradition treaty to the U.S.

Russell Simmons Social Media Accounts

Simmons Twitter

Tweets by UncleRUSH

Simmons Instagram

View this post on Instagram

I spoke of @nipseyhussle on instagram live again this morning ..The yogis believe that enlightenment can come in the moment of passing for a devotee to righteousness. The teaching says that if he or she is focused on God when they pass…then they could enter the kingdom for the last time … He was Always focused on the most high ?Our brothers mother’s words about how peaceful he looked gave me chills .. We discuss this on Facebook and instagram live today Then we meditate Join me and continue to celebrate the life of the young prophet #nipseyhussle

A post shared by Russell Simmons (@unclerush) on Apr 11, 2019 at 7:56pm PDT