Harold Russell only had a major role in one film, but it assured his place in cinema history. He was born in Nova Scotia and raised in Boston, MA. Losing both hands to a grenade explosion in World War II, Russell later appeared in the military-produced educational film "Diary of a Sergeant", although someone else provided the voiceover narration. After seeing that film and noting an All-American ease and likability in the non-actor, William Wyler cast Russell as the quiet hometown boy Homer Parrish in "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). The drama about war veterans returning home won seven Oscars, including Russell's for Best Supporting Actor. He also received a special award from the Academy "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans".While he had a three-picture contract with Samuel Goldwyn, there were few other film opportunities awaiting Russell despite his awards. Returning to Massachusetts, he enrolled at Boston University and later published an autobiography, "Victory in My Hands", in 1949. While pursuing a career in business, Russell continued to work over much of the next four decades serving on presidential commissions and lobbying for disabled veterans and the physically challenged. He made a return to features as card-playing barfly in "Inside Moves" (1980) and undertook the role of a disabled World War II veteran in George Hickenlooper's "Dogtown" (1997). In 1992, Russell caused a minor stir in Hollywood by offering his Oscar at auction in an effort to pay medical costs incurred by his wife's illness. The statue was sold for $60,000, with the bulk ($50,000) going to the performer.
Profession(s):
Actor, writer, businessman, meat cutter
Sometimes Credited As:
Harold John Russell
Family
daughter:Adele Russell (mother, Rita Russell; survived him)
son:Gerald Russell (mother, Rita Russell; survived him)
wife:Rita Russell (died in 1978)
wife:Betty Russell (survived him)
Golden Globe Award Award for Best Nonprofessional Acting "The Best Years of Our Lives" 1946
Honorary Oscar "The Best Years of Our Lives" 1946
Oscar Best Supporting Actor "The Best Years of Our Lives" 1946
1997 Third film role in "Dogtown"
1992 Made headlines when he became the first living actor to auction off his Academy Award to pay for medical bills for his first wife who was suffering from heart failure
1980 Made one-shot return to film acting in "Inside Moves"
1949 Published autobiography "Victory in My Hands"
1946 Film acting debut, "The Best Years of Our Lives"; received Oscar as Best Supporting Actor as well as an honorary award ; cast in role after director William Wyler viewed "Diary of a Sergeant"
1944 Lost both hands in a stateside explosives accident while preparing blasting caps on June 6 (D-Day)
Raised in the Cambridge, Massachusetts, area
After graduating from high school, worked as a meat cutter for a local supermarket
Served in WWII as a paratrooper and instructor in explosives
Appeared in "Diary of a Sergeant", an educational film made by the US military for handicapped veterans; although he portrayed the titular sergeant, another person's voice was used in the narration
Signed to a four picture deal by Samuel Goldwyn
Worked as a lobbyist for disabled veterans and the physically challenged