Independent faith and family film studio Pure Flix suffered a loss this week. Pure Flix founding partner and producer Russell Wolfe died May 27, surrounded by his family. Wolfe, who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), was 50.
Since his diagnosis in December 2013, Wolfe and his family shared his ALS journey through social media and public appearances, including the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Last year, Russell, along with his family and colleagues, participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS in Phoenix.
Wolfe produced and co-starred in the Pure Flix feature film God’s Not Dead. It became the highest-grossing indie faith film of the year, but in the midst of that celebration, Wolfe was diagnosed with ALS.
“As one of the founding partners of Pure Flix, Russell always represented the vision to make a positive impact in our culture for Christ,” said Pure Flix founding partner and producer David A.R. White. “He did this consistently through his work, life and relationships. Working beside Russell has been an honor, and he will be profoundly missed.”
Through the support of his family, his faith and medical care, Wolfe lived with a positive outlook and continued to work up until his death, including producing the film God’s Not Dead 2, scheduled to be in theaters in spring 2016.
“I’ve been through a lot of storms in my life, and God has turned them around so that in retrospect, I can look back at those, and I’m thankful that they happened,” Wolfe told Movieguide this past February. “I have looked at my diagnosis as an opportunity to stand in my faith, and see how God will use this for His glory … and as a reminder that God is good all the time.”
Pure Flix founding partner and producer Michael Scott remembered Wolfe as “a friend, business partner and truly a blessing to all who ever met him. His legacy will continue to influence the world for Christ through film and television.”
Pure Flix COO Steve Fedesky also was inspired by Wolfe.
“Russell was a great friend, inspirational servant-leader, who loved God, his family and others,” Fedesky said. “His courageous faith in Jesus Christ was a catalyst of hope through his work, and that leaves a lasting legacy.”
Wolfe is survived by his wife, Alysoun, and their two children.
