Kurt Russell protects his family’s roots in the wilderness.
The 74-year-old actor opened up about his lifestyle and how it shaped his family’s connection to food during an appearance on the podcast Table Manners, admitting that he is an avid hunter with a special appreciation for elk meat.
Asked if she was sentimental about animals, Russell said, “Well, I appreciate their service.”
“By the way, I take no pleasure in taking lives,” he clarified. “Adopting your own food animal is a great joy and honor. And I respect that and honor that. And it means a lot to me. And, you know, I make no apologies.”
Russell’s son Wyatt, who lives in Colorado, also chimed in, explaining how life in the wilderness is different.
“One of the things we really forget, especially kids growing up. You see them running around the backyard and all kinds of animals, and they’re majestic.”
“But when you go to the grocery store, it’s like 90% of the people are just in a crowd,” Wyatt added. “They don’t know. They have nothing to do with food. So that’s pretty cool. You know, we’ve grown up knowing that what you pick up is going to be your dinner meal.”
While the traditional wilderness lifestyle has worked well for the Russell family, the “Hateful Eight” star admitted it’s not for everyone.
“That’s not something I would impose on anyone,” Russell explained. “I mean, it’s not for everyone, but I like to eat my meat. I grew up in that family.”
Russell’s wild roots can be seen in his career as a leading Hollywood figure. The “Overboard” star often plays tough characters in action movies, sci-fi movies, westerns, and more. With a career spanning more than 60 years, Russell has seen just about every corner of the entertainment industry.
That longevity has given Russell perspective, even if he resists calling it wisdom. He told AARP that he didn’t find himself sharing wisdom with his four children: Wyatt, Boston Russell, Kate Hudson, and Oliver Hudson.
“God, that’s not true. I don’t mean it intentionally, and whatever I say, I don’t know if it’s wisdom-oriented,” Russell told the outlet. “I know that after doing this for so long, keeping your mouth shut and your ears open, you’re learning some things. Because of the many experiences I’ve had, I can help us get to where we need to go. So I’m leaning on that.”
Russell explained that as she got older, she could no longer accept the idea that age was just a number.
“Age is a reality, but it has never ruled my life,” he said. “It’s like when you’re an actor. Your hair is never the same color. It’s never the same length. Your face is never the same. Your body language is never the same. Even your age is never the same.”
“And if you’re doing something that you really enjoy, I don’t think there’s any difference in what you’re doing, in terms of interest and enjoyment,” he added. “I think our industry is an interesting one in that regard.”
