Born Julius Russell, October 13, , in Atlanta, GA; died of cancer, October 2, , in New York, NY. Comedian and actor. With a supernatural ability to improvise and ad-lib, Nipsey Russell made a name for himself on the talk-show and game-show circuits of the s and '60s. He was known most notably for his impromptu four-line rhymes, which entertained the masses and helped him become one.