Background
Harold Russell was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada and moved to Massachusetts with his family in 1921, after his father"s death in 1920.
management consultant civic worker
Harold Russell was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada and moved to Massachusetts with his family in 1921, after his father"s death in 1920.
Bachelor, Boston University, 1949. L.D.H. honorary, LaSalle College. L.D.H., University Massachusetts.
In 1941, he was so profoundly affected by the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor that he enlisted in the United States Army on the following day. While an Army instructor, and training with the United States. 13th Airborne Division at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, on June 6, 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, Russell was featured in an Army film called Diary of a Sergeant about rehabilitating war veterans.
When film director William Wyler saw the film on Russell, he cast him in with Fredric March and Dana Andrews. Russell played the role of Homer Parrish, a Navy sailor who lost both hands during the war.
lieutenant was the only time in Oscar history that the Academy has awarded two Oscars for the same performance. 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, Victory in My Hands (1949) and The Best Years of My Life (1981).
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, Doctor of Medicine in 1981 and a two-part episode of the television series China Beach in 1989. Russell became active in American Veterans of World World War II, Korea, Vietnam, 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.
My wife"s health is much more important than sentimental reasons.
Russell died of a heart attack on January 29, 2002, 15 days after his 88th birthday, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Wayland, Massachusetts.
Russell defended his action, saying, "I don"t know why anybody would be critical.
Vice chairman President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, 1962-1964, chairman, since 1964. Member National Council on Vocational Rehabilitation, 1966-1968, Massachusetts Industrial Accident Rehabilitation Commission, National Organization on Disability, National Challenge Committee on Disability. Active American Red Cross, National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Member advisory council National Easter Seal Society, Goodwill Industries American, People to People committee for Handicapped Board Served with United States Army, 1941-1945. Member American Veterans of World World War II, Korea, Vietnam (national Commander 1950-1951, 1960), World Veterans Federation (vice president 1960-1967).
Married Elizabeth Marshallsea. Children by previous marriage: Gerald J., Adele Rita.