About Russel

Hello there, I’m Russel Donahue

- a storyteller, strategist, and lifelong creator driven to turn ideas into impact.
Born and raised in Ventura, California, I come from a blend of Irish, Arabic, English, and Scottish roots—and from an early age, creativity was my native language.

My journey began on my family’s camcorder. At age 11, I starred in short films directed by my older brother, filmmaker Michael Donahue, and instantly caught the bug for performance. Whether it was sketching original comic books, performing in school plays, or writing songs on guitar and bass, I was always building new worlds—on the page, on stage, or on screen.

While I earned my Business Management & Marketing degree from Cal State Channel Islands in 2016, the corporate world never fully captured me. I pivoted back to my roots—film, acting, and the creative arts—and began seriously training at Ventura Actors Studio under Gina Nemo, where I landed a lead role in one of her television pilots. Since then, I’ve appeared in national commercials, independent films, and a growing slate of original projects that blend my creative instincts with sharp storytelling.

Today, I operate at the intersection of art and strategy. Through Back Pocket Co., I help brands, entrepreneurs, and fellow creators bring their ideas to life—whether that’s through scriptwriting, concept development, creative consulting, or launch strategy. Whether I’m voicing a character, building a brand, or co-creating an animated series, my goal is simple: help people make what matters—and have a damn good time doing it