Joe Russo

Joe Russo (born July 18, 1971, in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American director and producer best known for his collaborations with his brother Anthony as the Russo Brothers. Working as a filmmaking duo, Russo has helped shape some of the most commercially successful modern studio blockbusters while also maintaining roots in character-driven television.

Russo’s global profile rose through four landmark Marvel Cinematic Universe entries: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Endgame earned more than $2.798 billion worldwide and briefly held the record as the highest-grossing film in history, cementing Russo as a key architect of the MCU’s peak era.

Beyond Marvel, Russo has directed and produced acclaimed comedy television, including Arrested Development, Community, and Happy Endings. The team’s work on Arrested Development was recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award, highlighting Russo’s range across both serialized comedy and large-scale action storytelling.

He has also appeared on screen in small roles, including in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Gray Man, and has participated in industry documentaries and tributes as himself.