From Chriscrowe:

Just wanted to add a few things to the reports previously posted.

Favorite word: "pusillanimous*" -- It was one of his mothers favorite words.

Job he wouldn't want: Politician. When Lipton said that was the most common answer, he said cut it, and I'll think of another.

What was amazing: He did not start making any $ until Mystery Alaska, first time he was in the "black," over $100,000 in Debt previously. Made a 700% increase in salary from the previous movie.

When he was cast for Rocky Horror, the powers to be asked him if he had an agent. Of course he didn't. So, Russell just told the guy to pay him what he thought he was worth.....The guy told him he had a lot to learn but paid him $100.00 more a week than the chorus

One new story: We went to the Cannes Film festival for Proof knowing that he would be the only one to represent the film. He had to borrow money to go....It was the first time he was out of Australia or New Zealand. He flew into Paris and had to take a train into Cannes. He said it was an amazing experience, but he remained grounded....because he had a huge hole the size of a 50 cent piece in his ONLY pair of boots.. IT was raining and when he was walking on the red carpet his feet would "squish"...I think he was trying to tell the students not to get too full of themselves.

Another interesting story:

In his recent contract it was written who could knock on his trailer.....he called up his agent and said "What the fuck is this?" I'll decide who can knock on my trailer, get the fucking thing out of the contract. He was telling the students, don't waste your time on the size of your trailer, and other meaningless bullshit, pick and choose what is important to you.....ie., the content of the character.

One student asked how do you handle if you don't see eye to eye with a director.......Russell said it is ultimately the directors shoot and you are there to serve him, so just drop it.

I was there several weeks ago, when another actor was there being interviewed. The comparison between that actor and Russell, is incomparable. Russell was intense in asking each students name, and directed all the attention to the students. They was totally amazed by his honesty and kept saying so...The students probably learned more with their one session with Russell, than all the years of schooling will ever teach them.

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*pu·sil·lan·i·mous
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin pusillanimis, from Latin pusillus very small (diminutive of pusus boy) + animus spirit; perhaps akin to Latin puer child -- more at PUERILE, ANIMATE
Date: 1586
:lacking courage and resolution : marked by contemptible timidity
synonym see COWARDLY
- pu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly adverb