list_text=          Actor Kurt Russell, known for his buff roles in such action-adventure flicks as "Escape from L.A.," "Executive Decision" and "Stargate," is among Hollywood's top leading men. To those who grew up with Kurt, however, he's still remembered as the all-American "apple pie and ice cream" kid, who starred as Dexter Reilly in the beloved Disney films "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes," "Now You See Him, Now You Don't" and "The Strongest Man in the World." Over the years, Kurt has never lost his boyish charm, nor forgotten his Disney roots.  
           "The Disney years were my education in the film business," he recalled. "I was fortunate to be able to work there consistently."
          Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, March 17, 1951, Kurt was raised in Los Angeles.  His father, Bing Russell, starred as Deputy Clem on the Bonanza television series (1961-73). Kurt loved baseball and at the age of nine, decided to go into acting when he heard that his sports heroes Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were planning a movie, "Safe at Home!" He didn't get the part he auditioned for, but did win a role in an Elvis Presley movie, "It Happened at the World's Fair," which led to television's "Travels with Jamie McPheeters" and ultimately, to Disney Studios.
          At 15, Kurt was cast in his first Disney picture "Follow Me, Boys!," starring fellow Legend Fred MacMurray. Walt Disney took an instant liking to Kurt and signed him to an exclusive Studio contract, making him the Studio's teen star of the 1960s and 70s. Kurt made 12 Disney features, in all, including "The Barefoot Executive," "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit," "Charley and the Angel" and "Superdad." In the 1968 Disney musical "The One and Only, Genuine Original Family Band," Kurt met a young dancer named Goldie Hawn, who later became his real-life leading lady.
          In 1970, he narrated the animated short, "Dad, Can I Borrow the Car?" and later voiced Copper, the young hunting dog, in the animated feature "The Fox and the Hound." Kurt also appeared in Disney television shows, including "Willie and the Yank" and "The Secret of Boyne Castle."
          Unlike many child stars, Kurt made a successful transition into adult roles. In 1979, his career came full circle, when he earned an Emmy nomination for his role as Elvis Presley in the John Carpenter telefilm "Elvis." Other credits include, "Silkwood," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Backdraft" and "Soldier," among others. In 1992, Kurt returned to Disney Studios to star in Touchstone's "Captain Ron" and to later portray Wyatt Earp in Hollywood Pictures' "Tombstone."&