Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 3 hrs ago
The Gilded Age’s George Russell Is Mainly Inspired by Jay Gould
George Russell is based mainly on Jay Gould, a real 19th-century railroad and shipping tycoon.
Gould made his fortune in the mid-1800s and challenged the old-money social establishment led by New York socialite Mrs. Astor.
Gould’s family was eventually accepted into high society, a path that resembles Bertha Russell’s rise in the series.
George is also an amalgam of other tycoons, including Cornelius Vanderbilt, rather than a direct portrait of one person.
In season 3, George’s fortune nearly collapses after a business deal, but his son Larry discovers valuable copper in the family’s Arizona mines.
That discovery restores the family’s fortune, while the series continues to adapt history for its own story.
George Russell in The Gilded Age is based mainly on railroad tycoon Jay Gould, though he combines traits from several real-life business magnates.
Both men made fortunes in railroads and shipping and faced resistance from established wealthy families.
Actor Morgan Spector said he researched Gould and other tycoons to prepare for the role.
In season 3, Russell nearly loses his fortune, but his son discovers copper in the family’s Arizona mines that restores it.
- Who
- George Russell, a character in The Gilded Age, and his main inspiration, Jay Gould.
- What
- Russell is an amalgam of real-life robber barons, primarily Gould.
- When
- The article discusses events in season 3. Gould made his fortune in the mid-1800s.
- Where
- The series is set in New York; Gould made his fortune in railroads and shipping.
- Why
- The character draws on Gould’s business career, family life and conflict with established wealth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jay Gould made his fortune in railroads and shipping.
George Russell nearly loses his fortune, but his son discovers valuable copper in their Arizona mines.
- Main inspiration
- Jay Gould
- Other inspiration
- Cornelius Vanderbilt
- Actor
- Morgan Spector
- Season 3 setting
- George Russell nearly loses his fortune
- Mines
- Arizona
- Recovery
- Copper worth millions restores the Russell family’s fortune
What people are saying
I had been told that he was a little bit based on Jay Gould and [Cornelius] Vanderbilt, so I read up on those people and their biographies, to some extent.
I’ve found as much first-person writing by those robber barons,