Basic Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Russell Simmons II |
| Nickname | Russy |
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Saddle River, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Rapper, Singer, Actor, Songwriter, Screenwriter, Reality TV Personality |
| Parents | Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons and Justine Simmons |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 143 lbs (65 kg) |
| Known For | Run’s House, music, family television appearances |
| Relationship Status | Publicly reported as single |
Growing Up as Russell Simmons Ii
Russell Simmons II, popularly known as Russy, comes to mind as someone who discreetly developed his own identity while growing up in one of the most well-known families in hip hop. Russy was born in Saddle River, New Jersey, on August 30, 1997, into a family where entertainment, music, and religion were all interwoven like stitches in a family quilt.
Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, one of the original members of the fabled Run DMC, is his father. Justine Simmons, his mother, is a television personality, writer, businesswoman, and actress. Together, they built a Christian, family-oriented, and creative household.
Despite spending a large portion of his early years in front of cameras, Russy frequently came across as more reticent than many reality TV stars. His family welcomed the limelight, but he appeared at ease letting his work take its own course.
The Parents Who Built His Foundation
Russy’s parents have been married since June 25, 1994, making their relationship one of the more enduring marriages in entertainment.
Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons
Born on November 14, 1964, Rev. Run became famous as a founding member of Run DMC, one of hip hop’s most influential groups. Beyond music, he reinvented himself as a motivational speaker, producer, television personality, and ordained Pentecostal minister.
His guidance shaped much of Russy’s upbringing. Family, discipline, and faith consistently remained central themes throughout their television appearances.
Justine Simmons
Justine Simmons balanced family life with several creative ventures. She became known through reality television while also writing books, designing jewelry, and operating various business projects.
Her nurturing role became especially visible during difficult family moments, particularly following the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Victoria.
Russell Simmons Ii and His Brothers and Sisters
One of the most fascinating parts of Russy’s story is the size and diversity of the Simmons family.
Full Siblings
| Name | Birth Year | Relationship | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel “Diggy” Simmons III | 1995 | Older Brother | Rapper, actor, model |
| Victoria Anne Simmons | 2006 | Younger Sister | Passed away shortly after birth |
| Miley Justine Simmons | 2007 | Adopted Younger Sister | Television personality |
Diggy Simmons
Diggy Simmons became the first of Rev. Run’s younger children to establish a significant solo music career.
After appearing on Run’s House, he released successful mixtapes before signing with Atlantic Records. His debut album, Unexpected Arrival, arrived in 2012 and helped establish him beyond the family’s television fame.
Diggy has also acted in television series including Grown-ish, expanding his career beyond music.
Victoria Anne Simmons
One of the most emotional chapters in the Simmons family story came in September 2006.
Victoria Anne Simmons was born with omphalocele, a rare birth condition in which organs develop outside the body. She passed away shortly after birth.
Watching the family navigate this tragedy revealed remarkable strength and resilience. Their openness helped many viewers understand grief through compassion and faith.
Miley Justine Simmons
In 2007, the Simmons family welcomed Miley through adoption.
She later appeared alongside her parents and siblings in several television programs, becoming another beloved member of the close knit household.
Half Siblings from Rev. Run’s First Marriage
Before marrying Justine, Rev. Run had three children with Valerie Vaughn.
Vanessa Simmons
Born on August 5, 1983, Vanessa Simmons has built an impressive career in entertainment and business.
She has appeared in multiple reality television series while launching beauty and wellness ventures. She is also the mother of Ava Marie, born in 2014.
Angela Simmons
Angela Simmons became one of the family’s most recognizable entrepreneurs.
She co founded the Pastry footwear brand and expanded into fashion, beauty, social media, and television. She later became the mother of Sutton Joseph “SJ” Tennyson.
Despite enduring personal tragedy after the death of Sutton Tennyson in 2018, Angela has continued growing her businesses while raising her son.
Joseph “JoJo” Simmons Jr.
Born on September 29, 1989, JoJo Simmons followed the family’s entertainment path through reality television and entrepreneurship.
He has also pursued acting and business ventures while becoming the father of Mia Kaylee Simmons, who was born in 2016.
A Family Tree Filled with Creative Talent
There is much more to the Simmons family than just television.
Russell Simmons, his well-known uncle who co-founded Def Jam Recordings and went on to become one of the most significant businessmen in hip hop, inspired the name Russy.
Daniel “Danny” Simmons Jr., another uncle, was well-known for his artistic achievements that went far beyond music. He was also a painter, poet, and philanthropist. At the age of 72, Danny passed away in 2026.
Important legacies were also left by Russy’s paternal grandparents.
Daniel Simmons Sr. was a poet, Black history lecturer, and school administrator. Evelyn Simmons pursued painting as a hobby but devoted her professional life to teaching and public service.
The family’s inventiveness ran down the centuries like a river that never ceased flowing.
Becoming a Television Personality
Many people first met Russy during MTV’s Run’s House.
The reality series aired from 2005 through 2009 across six seasons and followed everyday life inside the Simmons household.
Rather than focusing only on celebrity glamour, the program highlighted family dinners, parenting, church, sibling relationships, and life’s ordinary moments.
Russy later appeared in additional television projects including:
| Television Project | Years |
|---|---|
| Run’s House | 2005 to 2009 |
| Total Request Live | Guest appearances |
| In the Flow with Affion Crockett | 2011 onward |
| Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers | 2014 to 2016 |
| Rev Runs Around the World | Mid 2010s |
These appearances helped keep him connected with audiences even as he shifted attention toward music.
Music Career and Creative Interests
Although his older brother Diggy achieved greater commercial success, Russy steadily pursued music throughout the 2010s and 2020s.
He released original songs, cover performances, and collaborations while building an online audience.
Some of his publicly known recordings include:
| Song or Cover | Type |
|---|---|
| Someone Like You | Cover |
| Find Your Love | Cover |
| Don’t Judge Me | Cover |
| The Christmas Song | Recording |
| When I Was Your Man | Cover |
| Young Wild and Free | Cover |
| I Will Always Love You | Cover |
His musical style reflects modern R&B and hip hop influences while demonstrating versatility as both a vocalist and songwriter.
Screenwriting and Acting Aspirations
One interesting aspect of Russy’s career is his interest in screenwriting.
He identifies himself publicly as both a screenwriter and actor. However, no produced screenplays or publicly credited writing projects have been announced.
Instead, screenwriting appears to represent an ongoing creative pursuit rather than a publicly documented filmography.
This quiet approach mirrors much of his overall career. Instead of chasing constant headlines, he appears focused on developing skills behind the scenes.
Financial Success
Various entertainment publications have estimated Russy’s net worth between approximately $5 million and $6 million during the early and middle years of the 2020s.
These estimates remain speculative because he has not publicly disclosed his finances.
His income is generally believed to come from:
- Television appearances
- Music releases
- Acting work
- Songwriting
- Family related entertainment opportunities
- Other creative projects
Personal Life and Public Presence
Russy has a relatively low public profile, in contrast to a number of his family members.
Rather than celebrity news, his social media posts frequently focus on family get-togethers, birthdays, introspection, and artistic updates.
He describes himself as a lifetime student of the entertainment industry and often expresses gratitude for family members.
He has been able to sustain a consistent presence without being overtaken by continuous media attention because to this harmony between solitude and creativity.
Timeline of Russell Simmons Ii
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Born in Saddle River, New Jersey |
| 2005 | Began appearing on Run’s House |
| 2006 | Family experienced the loss of sister Victoria Anne |
| 2007 | Sister Miley joined the family through adoption |
| 2009 | Run’s House completed its sixth season |
| 2011 | Appeared in In the Flow with Affion Crockett |
| 2014 to 2016 | Appeared in Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers and Rev Runs Around the World |
| 2010s to 2020s | Continued releasing music and pursuing acting and screenwriting |
| 2026 | Uncle Danny Simmons passed away |
FAQ
Who is Russell Simmons Ii?
Russell Simmons II, also known as Russy, is an American rapper, singer, actor, songwriter, screenwriter, and reality television personality. He is the son of Rev. Run and Justine Simmons.
Why is he called Russell Simmons Ii?
He was named after his uncle, Russell Simmons, the entrepreneur and co founder of Def Jam Recordings.
Who are Russell Simmons Ii’s parents?
His parents are Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons and Justine Simmons, who have been married since June 25, 1994.
How many siblings does Russell Simmons Ii have?
He has three full siblings, including Diggy Simmons and Miley Simmons, along with three older half siblings from his father’s first marriage.
What television show made him famous?
He became widely known through MTV’s Run’s House, which aired from 2005 through 2009.
Has Russell Simmons Ii released music?
Yes. He has released original songs, collaborations, and several cover performances while continuing to pursue music throughout the 2010s and 2020s.
Is Russell Simmons Ii a screenwriter?
He publicly identifies as a screenwriter, but no produced or publicly credited screenwriting projects have been announced.
What is Russell Simmons Ii’s estimated net worth?
Entertainment publications have estimated his net worth at roughly $5 million to $6 million, although these figures have not been publicly verified.
