Biography

Harold Russell

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Harold John Russell was born in Nova Scotia in 1914. His family moved to Cambridge Massachusetts when his father died in 1919. He was training paratroopers at Camp MacKall NC on June 6, 1944 when some TNT he was using exploded in his hands. He lost both hands. After receiving hooks, and training on them, he was chosen to make an Army training film called "Diary Of A Sergeant". William Wyler saw the film and decided to cast him in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Harold Russell played Homer Parish. For this role he received 2 Oscars, a Best Supporting and one for being an inspiration to all returning veterans. He is the only actor to receive 2 Oscars for the same role. After the movie he attended Boston University. He later went on to help establish AMVETS as a viable alternative to the American Legion for veterans, though his dream of an international veterans organization was never realized. He later appeared in Inside Moves (1980) and Dogtown (1997). He lived with his wife on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. He wrote 2 biographies: "Victory In My Hands" (1947) & "The Best Years Of My Life" (1981).
- IMDb mini biography by: Pat Francis <fran452@banet.net>

In August 1992, Russell sold his supporting-actor Oscar, saying he needed the money to pay his wife's medical bills and other expenses. An anonymous buyer paid $60,500, including a 10 percent commission for the auctioneer.
He became so adept with the hooks that replaced his hands, he would joke he could do anything with them except pick up a dinner check.
As well as his Best Supporting Actor Oscar, he received an honorary Oscar for being an inspiration for disabled war veterans throughout the U.S., making him the first (and only) actor to receive two Oscars for the same role.
Volunteered the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Director William Wyler told Russell after The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) wrapped, "There aren't that many parts for a guy with no hands. You should go back to college, get your degree." Russell followed the advice, got a business degree from Boston University and became an ardent advocate for the disabled.

[on the sale of his Supporting Actor Oscar for his wife's surgery] "I don't know why anybody would be critical. My wife's health is much more important than sentimental reasons. The movie will be here, even if Oscar isn't."
It is not what you have lost but what you have left that counts.
I got my award for special contributions, and I'm hanging around backstage. I found out, months later, that when I was nominated for Supporting Actor, they figured I didn't have a chance, the other guys [Charles Coburn, William Demarest, Claude Rains, Clifton Webb] had too much background. When they got to Supporting Actor, they practically threw me out on the stage.