Donald Iarussi was Born and raised in New York City. In the Arthur Avenue section of Little Italy in the Bronx.

He dropped out of school at the age of 16 to pursue a job at Sears Roebuck in the Bronx. He is a second generation Italian American. Mr Iarussi quickly found out the streets were not the life for him and returned to Roosevelt High School. Where he earned his HS diploma and attended college in Suburban Selden Long Island, NY. A place that was a refuge from the violence of the Bronx.

Mr Iarussi comes from a family of talent that includes his older Brother Ernie Iarussi who was lead vocalist in A Bronx Doo-Wop group known as the "Visuals"

Don Iarussi is also the Uncle of opera star Roberto Iarussi.

His nephew Roberto Iarussi has appeared internationally as the lead in some of Opera’s most beloved Italian and French repertoire, and has garnered praise for his stirring portrayals. He has also performed as a concert artist at major venues, including his 2006 Lincoln Center debut at Alice Tully Hall. His expressiveness, vocal power and progressive approach have yielded a truly unique artistry, one which enables him to transcend the operatic stage as an authentic crossover performer. He is now reaching wider audiences with moving interpretations of classical crossover and adult contemporary selections.

Talent runs deep in this family that emigrated from Napoli. Italy to the USA at the turn of the 20th Century.

Don Iarussi received his MFA in directing from Brooklyn College At Brooklyn College, He worked as an Assistant for two years under the direction of Academy Award Winning Actor F. Murray Abraham. (Amadeus) and NYC Casting Director Stuart Howard. Also directed an acting for the camera video with Mr. Abraham and actor Joe Zaloom. He has directed over 100 video productions. 

Mr. Iarussi has won numerous video awards including best PSA/Promo at the Hometown Video festival, Best Music Video, National Broadcasting Society, Best drama, NBA, Best PSA/Promo ,National Broadcasting Society, Hometown Film Festival

He recently completed a book titled "How to find a low priced apartment in NYC" It is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. He also completed "101 Recipes for a Leftover Camel"

In his years as a publicist for many talents including Grammy Winning Musician Johnny "Clyde" Copeland, Lynne Arriale Trio, Author Gerald Grimmett, etc. He spent two years in Kalamazoo working on a script titled "The Ferry Woman" and is directing film shorts for submission to film festivals. Also co-hosted "The Bob and Don show" His award winning Rape Awareness PSA's broke ground in 1990 by being distributed in American Sign Language. The PSA's started a long string of mainstream commercials and PSA's in sign language.

Below are some of Mr Iarussi's Credits; Camera Operator, All My Children, ABC/Disney, NYC Camera Operator, One Life to Live, ABC/Disney, NYC Boom Operator, All My Children, ABC, Disney, NYC Boom Operator, One Life to Live, ABC Disney, NYC Sound Technician, Camera Operator, Wood Productions, Salt Lake City, Camera Operator, Nytex Production, PSA's, Salt Lake City, Utah Camera Operator, Round Rock Express Baseball, Pacific Coast League Camera Operator, Austin Wranglers, Arena Football League Camera Operator, NCAA Basketball/Camera Operator, NCAA Football Camera Operator, NCAA Women's Basketball/Camera Operator, Kalamazoo Kings Baseball, Pioneer League Talk show host, newscaster, KBUK AM-Houston-Texas Newscaster, sportscaster, KSDS FM-San Diego, CA. Producer, news writer, WMCA AM-NYC, KSDO-San Diego, CA. Produce, research, book guests for KYXY FM-San Diego, CA. Produce, screen, news talk radio KTRH, KPRC AM-Houston, TX. Host, research, and write, book guests for "Up & Coming" TV show in NYC

ACHIEVEMENTS Producer of #1 public affairs show in San Diego, California at KYXY Student Emmy for best PSA 1991 National Broadcasting Society national award for best PSA 1991 Rape Awareness National Broadcasting Society national award-best music video. "Mama I'm Scared" National Federation of Local Cable TV Programmers. Best PSA Houston International Festival-Runner up. Best PSA Hometown Video Festival-First place. 1992 Emmy Judge, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, NYC, Writing appeared in various publications