The Perfect Haircut
In 1970, Russ opened Russell’s Barber Shop at 12 West Union St. in East Bridgewater after purchasing the 30-year-old shop from John Lavoie. Generations of local families have visited Russ for haircuts, conversation, and the time-honored tradition of a straight-razor shave with warm towels.
But one customer in 1999 was a little more famous than Russ realized.
While preparing to film The Perfect Storm in Gloucester, actor George Clooney visited East Bridgewater to get a feel for life in New England. He stopped at Russ’s Barber Shop and asked for a “haircut that doesn’t look like a haircut.”
As they talked, Clooney asked Russ about local people and life in East Bridgewater. Russ thought he was just another customer.
It wasn’t until Russ’s friends invited him to see The Perfect Storm that he realized the man in his chair had been George Clooney.
Clooney later said Russ was the best barber he had ever had. Today, Russ continues to give his customers the same time and attention, keeping the barber shop a place where people can step away from the world, catch up, and spruce up.
By: Ella Reddin, Framingham State University Writing Intern
Photo & Edits: J. Rose
