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' .
Two children: Adele and Gerald (Ritas son by her first marriage).
In August 1992, Russell sold his supporting-actor Oscar, saying he needed the money to pay his wifes medical bills and other expenses. An anonymous buyer paid $60,500, including a 10 percent commission for the auctioneer.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tried to keep him from selling his award, and offered to loan him money, but he turned them down. (Several Oscars have since been auctioned off posthumously, but the Academy now makes all recipients sign an agreement forbidding them from selling their Oscars.)
Annual award presented by the Presidents Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is called the Harold Russell Medal.
Director William Wyler told Russell after The Best Years of Our Lives wrapped, "There arent 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.
First wife Rita Russell was his childhood sweetheart.
Served three terms as the National Commander of the AMVETS. As National Commander, he wrote an 11 April 1951 letter to President Harry S. Truman supporting his decision to relieve General Douglas MacArthur of his supreme command: "The issue is whether the ultimate civil authority of the United States can tolerate actions in contempt of constitutional lines of authority. Any lessening of civil power over military power must inevitably lead away from democracy."
In 1964 he was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as chairman of the Presidents Committee on Hiring the Handicapped.
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.
Volunteered the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Interred at Lakeview Cemetery, Wayland, MA.
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.
Had one of the least prolific careers of any Oscar winner, starring in only three films over a span of fifty years.
