Jefferson A. Russell, actor

Five Things I Have To Have Now

December 30, 2007

Actor Jefferson A. Russell (Handout photo / December 21, 2007)

Jefferson A. Russell worked as a Baltimore police officer for four years, then as a juvenile probation officer, before giving up law enforcement to pursue his first love of acting.

He currently is performing with the Shakespeare Theatre Company in the role of the King of Morocco in Tamburlaine, and is playing Levune in Edward II.

In March, he will be at Everyman Theatre as Citizen Barlow in Gem of the Ocean.

Although acting might seem like a drastic shift from police work, Russell says it really isn't. "A lot of the plays I've done make a statement," he says. "I feel like I'm still doing my part."

Russell, 41, is single and lives in Charles Village.

1. Book of Common Prayer

"It reflects the faith my parents instilled. Faith and hope."

2. Family photo album

"I have pictures and I'd like to put them together. It reminds me of where I've been, of my family and roots."

3. Batman comic book collection

"I collected comic books as a kid and I'm a big Batman fan. He's a normal person who has trained himself to be the man that he is. He doesn't have any super powers, but he does heroic feats."

4. A role in a blockbuster movie.

"My main objective is to be a working actor and that includes all facets of stage and screen. But I definitely want to do Broadway, too."

5. A new car

"I'd like one with a sun roof and good gas mileage."

[LIZ ATWOOD]