1. Russell Gilbert was born on 17 October 1959 and is an Australian comedian from Footscray, Victoria, best known for his television appearances on programs such as The Comedy Company, Hey Hey It's Saturday and The Russell Gilbert Show; he was a radio presenter and a live stage and film actor.
In 2015, Gilbert suffered a stroke during surgery to treat a brain aneurysm.
Russell Gilbert has appeared in several Australian TV comedies, first attracting notice as "Russ the Postie" on Network 10's The Comedy Company.
Russell Gilbert played Kev the tow-truck driver in the sitcom Bingles.
In 2003, Russell Gilbert hosted the game show Bark-Off with Livinia Nixon.
In May 2007, Russell Gilbert appeared as one of the celebrity performers on the second season of Seven's celebrity reality singing competition It Takes Two.
Russell Gilbert worked as a writer on the Network Ten sketch series The Wedge.
In 1995 and 1996, Russell Gilbert was nominated for a Logie for the Most Popular Comedy Personality for his work on Hey Hey It's Saturday.
In March 2023, a two-part best-of compilation from The Russell Gilbert Show was put on the air to help raise funds for Gilbert.
Russell Gilbert has acted in four Australian films: Nirvana Street Murder ; Ned Kelly, playing Constable Hall; The Extra ; and Housos vs Authority.
Russell Gilbert appeared unbilled in the Jason Donovan telemovie Loot.
In 2004, Russell Gilbert ventured into radio as co-host of Weekend Leave Pass on SEN 1116 with Mark Fine.
In 2010, Russell Gilbert kicked a goal in the third quarter and then another in the fourth.
Russell Gilbert was in a relationship with television producer Rochelle Nolan from 1996 until her suicide in September 2015.
Two weeks after Nolan's death, Russell Gilbert was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.
Russell Gilbert later suffered a stroke while undergoing surgery to treat the aneurysm which impacted his ability to speak and left him unable to work; his rehabilitation included weekly treatments to help improve his speech and memory.
In July 2016, Russell Gilbert attended a gala comedy event held to raise funds for his ongoing rehabilitation and care, and in 2017 he released a music video for a song called "Tinderella" which was originally recorded and filmed in 2015.
However, since then, Russell Gilbert has mostly receded from public life.