Harold John Russell (b. January 14, 1914 at Sydney, Nova Scotia, d. January 29, 2002 at Needham, Massachusetts) was a Canadian-American World War II veteran who became one of only two non-professional actors to win an Academy Award for acting. January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Sydney, Nove Scotia, on Cape Breton Island Sydney is a community in Nova Scotia, Canada, and is located on its namesake harbour. ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2002 (MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Seal of Needham, MA Needham is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. ... World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atom bomb. ... Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ...

Harold Russell was born in Canada and moved to Massachusetts with his family in 1933. He was so profoundly affected by the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Army on December 8, 1941. Satellite image of Pearl Harbor. ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

While an Army instructor, and training with the U.S. 13th Airborne Division stateside in 1944, some dynamite exploded in his hands. As a result, he lost both hands and was given two hooks to serve as hands. During his recovery, a film called Diary of a Sergeant was made featuring Russell. Shoulder sleeve patch of the 13th Airborne Division. ...

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. William Wyler (July 1, 1902 - July 27, 1981) was a prolific and award-winning motion picture director. ... The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 movie about three servicemen (an airman, a soldier, and a sailor) trying to piece their lives back together after coming back home from WWII. It is based on a novel by MacKinlay Kantor, Glory for Me. ... Fredric March photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1939 Fredric March (Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel) (August 31, 1897 – April 14, 1975) was an Academy Award winning American actor. ... Myrna Loy in the 1930s Myrna Loy (August 2, 1905 - December 14, 1993) was a United States motion picture actress. ...

For his role as Parrish, Russell won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1947. He was also awarded an honorary Oscar for "bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans." It was the only time the Academy awarded two Oscars for the same role. The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ...

Upon completion of the film, Wyler told Russell to return to school since there "weren't many roles for actors without hands." Russell later graduated from Boston University. Boston University is a non-sectarian private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. ...

Russell appeared in only two other films after his debut, Inside Moves in 1980 and Dogtown in 1997. He also appeared in a two-part episode of the television series China Beach in 1989. Inside Moves (1980) is a drama film, directed by Richard Donner. ... China Beach was the name of an American dramatic television series, and it is the name of at least two beaches in the world: one in Vietnam and the other in San Francisco, California. ...

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." AMVETS or Smerican Veterans is a volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans which accepts honorably discharged veterans as members. ... Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the thirty-fourth Vice President (1945) and the thirty-third President of the United States (1945–53), succeeding to the office upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. ... General Douglas MacArthur aboard a battleship toward the end of World War II, 1945 Douglas MacArthur (26 January 1880 — 5 April 1964) was an American military leader credited with defeating the Japanese in World War II. He helped rebuild Japan after the war and played a key role in... Civil authority is that apparatus of the State other than its military units that enforces law and order. ...

In 1992, Russell needed money for his wife's medical expenses. In a controversial decision, he sold his Oscar 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." The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences now requires all Oscar receipients to sign an agreement forbidding them from selling their award. Founded on May 11, 1927 in California, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures. ...