John Bright "Johnny" Russell (born January 23, 1940, Sunflower County, Mississippi; died July 3, 2001, Nashville, Tennessee) was an American country singer, songwriter, and comedian famous for his song Act Naturally, which was made famous by Buck Owens, who recorded it in 1963, and The Beatles in 1965. His songs have been recorded by Burl Ives, Jim Reeves, Jerry Garcia, Tamra Rosanes, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt.