Submitted by James Pannozzi

Born in Hartford, Conn. Leo Russo became a vaudeville performer following in the footsteps of his older brother, vaudeville dancer James Russo (1889-1947). Leo was also the brother of Providenza Russo (1888-1933), my grandmother.

Leo continued to perform his puppet act, entertaining audiences all over the easter seaboard until his death in Philadelphia in 1957. He was a member of the famous Kohnheim studio for dancers and performers. I met him in 1955 and we talked briefly backstage although he had to hurry to complete his show and then catch a train for the next performance which was in New York. He was very friendly and gracious and mentioned that he came from a long line of performers some of whom had performed for the King in Sicily. I never was able to ask him for details about this and he soon had to go.

Leo Russo's brother, James Russo (1889-1949) was a very skilled dancer who achieved fame and numerous accolades for both his solo dance performances and for performances with his wife Mabel Kennett Russo (1890-1987) of Portsmouth, England whoose pictures can be found elsewhere at this web site.

Leo's parents were Carmella Corso Russo (1851-1940) and Salvatore Russo (1857-1929) of Termini-Imerese. Salvatore and Carmella came to America to Kansas City around 1885. They later moved to St. Louis and then to Hartford, Conn. and eventually settled in Providence, Rhode Island. The Russo's of Termini-Imerese were mainly fishermen but there were apparently some performers, possibly royal court performers, too. I'm continuing research in that area now.

Family Pictures

Providenza Russo's Notebook