I just read the equity news and sadly leaned about the passing of Russ. I never worked with Russ but over these many years we used to meet at many auditions. No matter how each of our auditions went he had us both laughing our heads off after the audition saying things like "oh my God, the little guy was eating a burger during my high note"and it put things in perspective and made you feel that life was more important then any audition. When I saw Russ in a show or running through the streets of Manhattan with his wonderful mop of red hair, that chiseled face and that broad smile rushing from one appointment to the next and giving me a quick wave I use to think, " there's goes the "old guard" and part of the history of our theater." Thanks for all the fun Russ.

Russ Thacker was my partner for the past 18 years and I was with him at his death. A few days before he died we sang Christmas songs to some of the nurses. He was very short of breath, but managed to sing with style and feeling and never missing a lyric. He had the most positive influence on my life. I miss him terribly. I have been so moved by things people have written about him and it is helping me to get through this most painful period of my life.

Jeff -- So sorry to hear about your brother Rusty. I only met him briefly in the mid-60s when you all lived together in Fort Lauderdale, but my memory is of an upbeat, happy person. A personality trait that ran throughout your family. May God bless and keep you, Jeff. 

Your friend (and other brother)

John 14:1-3

He was one of the most positive, full of life people I have ever met.  He will be missed.

Aubrey? Russ?  I simply knew him as Rusty and had the great fortune to sojourn in the theatre with him.  His talent, vitality, the winning personality all came together on the stage where audiences embraced him and as a result the productions that he was ever so central to success.  He gave generously of his talent and the tenacity with which he approached each role was evident when the curtain rose.

Russ was one of my favorite people, and one of the most charming and delightful Artists to grace the stage. He was a regular part of our NY Town Hall series, and I still love hearing his joyous energy jump out when I listen to those tapes.
Beyond his Artistry, Russ was always the "host with the most", and the life of every social occasion. God Bless him!

I met Russ in the early eighties in Philadelphia.  He was starring in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up at the Walnut Street Theatre.  Shortly after having seen the play I was In a bar with friends and Russ walked in.  I started chatting with him and we became good friends as his show was constantly being held over because of the unexpected demand.  I believe it played here for four or five months before going to open in New York.  Russ asked me to be in the audience for opening night there.  After the triumph in Philadelphia expectations were high.  Alas, it got terrible reviews and closed quickly.  The day after the opening and after reading the reviews the two of us were walking in NYC.  I was trying to think of something positive to say and was not having much luck.  Suddenly Russ beamed and said something like, "You know what, I 'll just find another show."
That's my memory of him.  An upbeat, always smiling guy.  I had great, fun times with Russ and I was sorry to hear of his death.

Russ (Rusty to many) was an endless delight, full of enthusiasms and passion. We met in 1989 and became instantly good buddies, but only drifted in and out of each others lives in the following years, but he always made it seem like only a day had passed. I'll miss him greatly.

Rusty and my cousin Joyce, used to (lovingly:)) tease me when I was 5 years old by only speaking L language. Rusty and Joyce were best friends on and off the stage. I loved seeing Rusty perform at the Bethesda Comm Center. He was a  very special person.

Russ starred in my first Broadway show, and I shared a stage with him on 600 occasions. He never gave a half-hearted performance, and always got his laughs with surgical precision.

Because he lived a block away, I continued to bump into him for years, and he always made me laugh. He was a great raconteur; no one had better war stories from a lifetime in show business than Russ did.

Farewell, my friend. Thanks for the laughs.

Like Joyce Hill Stoner, I was part of "THe Bethespians".  Rusty, as we knew him, was incredibly talented and I got to collaborate with him on the choreography for some of our show.  My high school years were full of rewarding performances thanks to him.  We reconnected briefly when he came through Cleveland (where I live) as the lead in "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?".  I remember kidding him about being a Methodist playing a Roman Catholic boy!  I was never as good as Rusty, but I tried to instill his energy and high quality performance level in the students I worked with as a director of high school musicals when I taught music.  I know his memory will live on in the joy that he brought to everyone who saw him on stage or in life.

Rusty (later "Russ") was my best friend from 5th grade to 12th grade in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland (1957-1964).  We put on puppet shows, musical theatre revues, founded "The Bethespians" and directed, produced, and starred together in SEVENTEEN, FORTY-FIVE MINUTES FROM BROADWAY, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, and BABES IN ARMS. Then I went to college and he went to Broadway.  We used to meet at a mailbox on Leland Street, and walked home from school together for years, and I still remember our very "serious" discussions about theatre, movies, human personalities and behavior, growing up, and our plans for the future.
(We ate Twinkies and drank Tru-ade--amazing we survived as long as we did!)
He was our "superstar" in the B-CC high school musicals, and my classmates and I all happily followed his later career from YOUR OWN THING to ODYSSEY, and WILL ROGERS.  Whenever I would see him, he would have a fabulous anecdote to tell about his adventures with Princess Grace, Yul Brynner, Carol Channing, Vincent Price, etc. etc.
We worked together in NY in the 1970s for my revue "I'll Die If I Can't Live Forever" in its preview stages, and all the cast members and accompanists became Russ's fans and followed his career.
I don't think I knew anyone he didn't charm.
My family and friends have heard so many Rusty stories.  My daughters each talk about having their own "Rusty"s  (but of course not entirely like the ORIGINAL!)
We kept in contact by phone and email during his last painful years.  He would still be amazingly cheerful and fun.
His thoughts and words are part of my being and always will be.
It was a great privilege to have had my life interwoven with his, especially in our formative years.
December 9, 2012

After so much suffering the last few years, Russ is at peace.  I will remember always the many many good times we had performing our Cabaret creations and writing music together.  This part of life must be celebrated too. In paradisum deducant te Angeli.

OBITUARY

Aubrey Lee Thacker Jr.

23 June, 1946 – 7 December, 2012

Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services