Russell Winters

"Look at me: I pay my taxes. I keep my name out of the paper, and I don’t make waves. And in return I can do anything I want!"

- Russell Winters

Russell Winters was an old and wealthy vampire who owned the investment firm Russell Winters Enterprises. He was portrayed by Vyto Ruginis

Biography
Russell Winters was one of the most powerful individuals in Los Angeles. Enjoying tormenting his victims over a prolonged period, his latest victim was a young woman called Tina, who he eventually killed before moving on to his next target, Cordelia Chase, whom he had first seen in video footage a party that Tina had attended. However, his attempt to kill Cordelia was interrupted by the intervention of Angel] - who had been sent by [[Allen Francis Doyle to protect Tina, only to fail when she ran away after discovering his vampire nature-, who fought Winters off but was forced to flee with Cordelia after Winters' security guards' arrived.

Subsequently confronting Winters in his office, Angel was casually informed by Lindsey McDonald, Winters' lawyer, that Winters had and would never be convicted of any crime, and further harrassment would result in Angel before 'forced' into the 'light of day'. As Winters casually told Angel that he could do anything he wanted, unlike the 'usual' vampires Angel confronted, prompting Angel to casually ask if Winters could fly. Before Winters could react, Angel kicked Winters' chair out of a window behind him, the sunlight causing Winters to turn to ash before his chair even reached the ground.

Powers and abilities
"He’s the kind of guy that can get away with murder."

- Tina

His greatest powers did not lie on his strength or age, but on his vast wealth, which allowed him to hire the services of hitmen and hired muscle, as well as the law firm Wolfram & Hart, which were the only ones aware of his vampire status.

Personality and traits
"He likes pain. I mean he really does. He talks about it like it was a friend. And you don’t leave him, he tells you when he’s had enough."

- Tina

Beneath his handsome and mature appearance and his charming demeanor, Russell was a controlling and sadistic predator. He enjoyed toying with his victims and harassing them, causing them to live in constant fear, breaking them up to the point where they would have no option but to turn to him. Russell then would kill his targets had they ceased to amuse him.

Appearances

 * City of