Grayson Russell (born May 1, 1998) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles inTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and theDiary of a Wimpy Kid film series.^[2][3][4] He had a recurring role as Dwayne Dixon on theINSP television seriesBlue Ridge.

Russell was born on May 1, 1998 inClanton, Alabama, the son of Crystal (née Cleckley) and Jerry Russell, who have a Christian music ministry.^[2][5] He attended publichigh school in Clanton atChilton County High School, home of the Tigers, and graduated from there in 2016.^[6] Russell later attendedLee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, for a brief time.^{[citation needed]}

Russell's acting career began at the age of six, when he appeared as Cowboy Grayson, in a series oftelevision commercials for a localcar dealership.^[2] Other commercials include appearances in a regionalMcDonald's spot, and aBlue Cross Blue Shield ofTennessee commercial.^[7] Russell's film career began with an opencasting call for a role inTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Russell's mother, Crystal Russell, has stated that Grayson auditioned to gain some experience with the process, and the family was surprised to learn that he would be playingTexas Ranger Bobby, the son of racecar driver Ricky Bobby (played byWill Ferrell).^[8]

The Rainbow Tribe, Russell's second movie, was based on a true story, and was filmed in California in 2007. Theindependent film won Best Picture at the 2008The Feel Good Film Festival^[9] founded byKristen Ridgway Flores inLos Angeles, but was releaseddirect-to-video in 2011.^[10]

In 2009, Russell appeared in an episode ofDisney'ssitcomI'm in the Band.^[8] By the next year, Russell appeared in the film adaptation of authorJeff Kinney'sDiary of a Wimpy Kid. Russell played Fregley, an awkward and unpopular classmate ofGreg Heffley.^[6] He reprised the role in the sequels,Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)^[7] andDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012).

Also by the next year, Russell also appeared in theAlien Candy episode ofR.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour. Russell plays an autistic baseball savant named Rafer, in the 2013 feature filmSeason of Miracles, a role for which fans and critics have acknowledged his broader acting range.^[11]

In 2020, Grayson played a signalman in theApple TV+ movieGreyhound starringTom Hanks.^[12]

Russell became engaged to his girlfriend, Rachel Schumacher, on January 14, 2024.^[13][14]

• Grayson Russell atIMDb

• 1998 births
• Living people
• 21st-century American male actors
• American male child actors
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• Male actors from Alabama
• People from Clanton, Alabama
• Actors from Chilton County, Alabama

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