Harold Russell
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| Harold Russell | |||||||||||
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 Russell in the film The Best Years of Our Lives for which he won two Academy Awards. |
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| Born | Harold John Russell January 14, 1914 North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada |
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| Died | January 29, 2002 (aged 88) Needham, Massachusetts |
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| Spouse(s) | Rita Russell-Nixon (1944-1978) Betty Marshallsee (1981-2002) |
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Harold John Russell (January 14, 1914 - January 29, 2002) was a Canadian-American World War II veteran who became one of only two non-professional actors to win an Academy Award for acting (the other being Haing S. Ngor).[1]
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[edit] Biography
Harold Russell was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada and moved to Massachusetts with his family in 1933. In 1941, he was so profoundly affected by the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor that he enlisted in the Army on the following day, December 8.
While an Army instructor, and training with the U.S. 13th Airborne Division stateside in 1944, a defective fuse detonated an explosive he was handling while making a training film. As a result, he lost both hands and was given two hooks to serve as hands. After his recovery, and while attending Boston University as a full-time student, an Army film called Diary of a Sergeant about rehabilitating war veterans was made featuring Russell.
When film director William Wyler saw the film on Russell, he cast him in the film The Best Years of Our Lives starring Fredric March and Myrna Loy. Russell played the role of Homer Parrish, a sailor who lost both hands during the War.
For his role as Parrish, Russell won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1947. Earlier in the ceremony, he was awarded an honorary Oscar for "bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans." The special award had been created because the Board of Governors very much wanted to salute Russell, a non-professional actor, but assumed he had little chance for a competitive win. It is the only time the Academy has awarded two Oscars for the same role.
Upon completion of the film, Wyler told Russell to return to school since there "weren't many roles for actors without hands." Russell returned to Boston University and graduated with a business degree in 1949.
Russell authored two autobiographies: The Best Years of My Life in 1981 and Victory in My Hands in 1949.
[edit] Later years
Russell appeared in only two other films after his debut, Inside Moves in 1980 and Dogtown in 1997. He also appeared in an episode of Trapper John, M.D. in 1981 and a two-part episode of the television series China Beach in 1989.
Russell became active in AMVETS, serving three terms as National Commander. As such, he wrote to President Truman in 1951, supporting his decision to dismiss General MacArthur. In his letter, Russell wrote: "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."
From the early 1960s to the late 1980s, Russell served as the Chairman of the President's Commission on Employment of the Handicapped, an unpaid position.
In 1992, Russell needed money for his wife's medical expenses. In a controversial decision, he consigned his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor to Herman Darvick Autograph Auctions and on August 6, 1992, in New York City, the Oscar sold to a private collector for $60,500. Russell defended his action, saying: "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."[2] The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has required all Oscar recipients since 1950 to sign an agreement forbidding them from selling their award.[3]
[edit] Death
On January 29, 2002, Russell died of a heart attack.[2]
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | The Best Years of Our Lives | Homer Parrish | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Academy Award Honorary Award Golden Globes - Special Award for Non-professional acting |
| 1980 | Inside Moves | Wings | |
| 1981 | Trapper John, M.D. | Leo Hopkins | TV episode - The Days of Wine and Leo/aka: Harold Russell Story |
| 1988 | Payback | Policeman | |
| 1989 | China Beach | Uncle Conal | TV episodes - The World, Pts. 1 & 2 |
| 1997 | Dogtown | Blessed William |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Dunn for A Tree Grows In Brooklyn |
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 1946 for The Best Years of Our Lives |
Succeeded by Edmund Gwenn for Miracle on 34th Street |
[edit] References
- ^ Harold Russell at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ a b Bergan, Ronald (2002-02-06). "Harold Russell; Brave actor whose artificial hands helped him win two Oscars", The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Rothman, Heathcliff (2006-02-16). "I'd Really Like to Thank My Pal at the Auction House", New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
[edit] External links
- Harold Russell at the Internet Movie Database Retrieved on 2008-02-07
- Harold Russell at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-02-07
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Russell, Harold |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Russell, Harold John |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Actor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 14, 1914 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 29, 2002 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Needham, Massachusetts |
