Brian Bradley - Outrageous Misfits

2020, Brian Bradley, Craig Russell, English,

Full title: "Outrageous Misfits: Female Impersonator Craig Russell and His Wife, Lori Russell Eadie" by Brian Bradley.

“Outrageous Misfits: Female Impersonator Craig Russell and His Wife, Lori Russell Eadie” by Brian Bradley is a captivating exploration of a life lived in defiance of convention, a story where glamour, audacity, and vulnerability intertwine in a complex portrait of love and performance. Craig Russell was a Canadian entertainer whose fame spanned continents, renowned for his dazzling impersonations of Hollywood icons such as Mae West, Judy Garland, Bette Midler, and Barbra Streisand. He became a symbol of the flamboyance and courage that marked the early drag scene, taking female impersonation from niche clubs to international stages in cities like Las Vegas, Berlin, London, and Paris. The book traces his rise from a Toronto teenager enthralled with Mae West to a stage sensation whose talents captivated audiences across the globe, detailing his work in theaters, film, and television, including his groundbreaking role in the cult classic film Outrageous!, which earned him the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Alongside Russell, the biography explores the life of Lori Russell Eadie, his devoted fan and eventual wife, whose quiet demeanor and love for theater provided a grounding counterpoint to the chaos of Craig’s flamboyant career. Lori is depicted as both a witness and participant in a world defined by bright lights and shadows, where adoration and devotion met personal struggles and the heavy toll of fame. Together, Craig and Lori navigated a life that was both extravagant and fraught with challenges, including mental health struggles, drug addiction, abuse, and the personal costs of living openly in a world that often misunderstood them. 

 

Through nearly one hundred interviews and careful archival research, Bradley reconstructs their story with compassion and precision, capturing the interplay of public triumph and private turmoil in a way that makes their lives feel immediate and vividly human. The narrative delves into Russell’s early fascination with female celebrities, his tenure as president of Mae West’s fan club, and his brief stint working as her secretary in Los Angeles, which helped shape his theatrical sensibilities. Returning to Toronto, he balanced the practicalities of life, such as working as a hairdresser, with his growing presence in the entertainment scene. His international tours and celebrity impersonations not only established him as a star but also offered a lens into the evolving landscape of drag, performance, and LGBTQ+ visibility during the 1970s and 1980s. Bradley carefully maps these achievements while also addressing the darker undercurrents, including the pressures of fame, the consequences of addiction, and the toll of navigating identity in a society that could be unforgiving.

 

The biography does not shy away from intimate details, using private journals and extensive interviews to provide a behind-the-scenes look at both the glamour and the heartbreak that defined their lives. The book captures Toronto’s gay scene and the broader cultural shifts in drag entertainment while offering a nuanced portrait of a man whose genius was inseparable from his personal struggles. Readers witness Russell’s relationships, both romantic and familial, including his bond with his daughter Susan Allison and his deep partnership with Lori, which endured until his death in 1990 from a stroke related to AIDS complications. Lori herself passed away in 2008, leaving behind the legacy of a shared life that was unconventional yet profoundly connected.

 

Brian Bradley’s approach blends rigorous biographical research with a fan’s devotion, presenting a narrative that is often heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, and consistently compelling. The book offers insights into the evolution of drag as performance art, the emergence of LGBTQ+ culture in Toronto, and the complex realities of a life lived in the public eye. Black-and-white photographs sprinkled throughout the book further anchor readers in the eras and spaces that shaped Craig and Lori, from Provincetown to Carnegie Hall. The biography is not only a study of two extraordinary individuals but also a reflection on fame, identity, and the human desire for recognition and belonging. Bradley’s work ensures that Craig Russell and Lori Russell Eadie are remembered not merely as entertainers or footnotes in queer history but as people whose love, audacity, and struggles illuminate the transformative power of performance and the enduring resonance of partnership.

 

Outrageous Misfits is a book that immerses readers in a world of extravagant spectacle, personal vulnerability, and cultural significance, providing an unforgettable account of two lives intertwined in a madcap, mesmerizing, and ultimately poignant journey. It stands as both a historical record and a celebration of the audacious spirit of a performer who challenged norms, delighted audiences, and left a legacy that continues to inspire. Through this biography, Bradley captures the essence of what it meant to be a trailblazer in a world that was not always ready for them, honoring the complexity, brilliance, and humanity of Craig Russell and Lori Russell Eadie in equal measure.

Available via Amazon

Photos via queermusicheritage.com.