Harold Russell Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the U․S․ Army during World War II as a paratrooper and demolitionist
• After mastering the steel hooks he had chosen as prosthetic devices, he made a training film for soldiers who had lost both hands called "Diary of a Sergeant․"
• Is the only person to have received two Oscars for the same role, one for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and one for "bringing aid and comfort to disabled veterans through the medium of motion pictures" for "The Best Years of Our Lives․"
• Lost both of his hands while leading a demolition class at Camp Mackall in North Carolina when a defective fuse caused the TNT he was holding to detonate
• Quote: "It is not what you have lost but what you have left that counts․"
• Best known for his role as Homer Parrish in "The Best Years of Our Lives․"
• Was the national chairman of the Amvets organization and founded the World Veterans Foundation in 1950
• Was appointed vice chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped by John F․ Kennedy in 1961, made chairman by Lyndon B․ Johnson in 1964, and was reappointed by Richard Nixon
• Had never acted before, and indeed had never taken an acting lesson, before appearing in "The Best Years of Our Lives․"
• Sold one of his Oscars for $60,500 at auction in 1993 because he needed the money, having been paid only $10,000 with no residual profits for the role that won him the award in "The Best Years of Our Lives․"