Harold Russell
Actor

Harold Russell Net Worth

4 months ago

Harold Russell was born in Nova Scotia in 1914 and moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts after his father's death in 1919. During World War II, he was training paratroopers at Camp MacKall NC when an explosion caused him to lose both hands. He was then chosen to make an Army training film, which led to his casting in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). For this role, he received two Oscars, a Best Supporting and one for being an inspiration to all returning veterans. After the movie, he attended Boston University and helped establish AMVETS. He later appeared in Inside Moves (1980) and Dogtown (1997). He wrote two biographies, "Victory In My Hands" (1947) and "The Best Years Of My Life" (1981), and lived with his wife on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
Harold Russell is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Soundtrack
Birth Day January 14, 1914
Birth Place  North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Age 106 YEARS OLD
Died On January 29, 2002(2002-01-29) (aged 88)\nNeedham, Massachusetts
Birth Sign Aquarius
Spouse(s) Rita Russell-Nixon (1944-1978) Betty Marshalsea (1981-2002)
Children Adele, Gerald

💰 Net worth

Harold Russell, a renowned actor and soundtrack artist hailing from Canada, is deemed to have a net worth ranging from $100,000 to $1 million by the year 2024. With a successful career spanning multiple decades, Russell has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. His exceptional talent and versatility have earned him recognition and acclaim in both acting and music spheres. As an actor, he has contributed to various film and television productions while captivating audiences with his remarkable performances. Additionally, his contributions as a soundtrack artist have further solidified his reputation as a multifaceted artist. Overall, Harold Russell's impressive net worth reflects his substantial achievements and enduring impact within the entertainment world.

Biography/Timeline

1921

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.

1941

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.

1944

While he was an Army instructor, and training with the U.S. 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.

1947

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 was the only time in Oscar history that the Academy has awarded two Oscars for the same performance.

1949

Russell authored two autobiographies, Victory in My Hands (1949) and The Best Years of My Life (1981).

1951

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."

1960

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.

1980

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.

1992

In 1992, in a controversial decision, Russell 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 ($105,500 today). Claiming he needed money for his wife's medical expenses, 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." However, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which objects to the selling of its awards, disputed that motivation, stating that in actuality his new wife merely "wanted to take a cruise". The Academy has required all Oscar recipients since 1950 to sign an agreement forbidding them from selling their award; as a pre-1950 winner, Russell was exempt from this provision.

2002

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.

Some Harold Russell images

Tags 1914 births 2002 deaths American male film actors Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winners Academy Honorary Award recipients American military personnel of World War II Canadian emigrants to the United States Canadian people of Scottish descent Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors People from North Sydney, Nova Scotia American amputees Canadian amputees Boston University alumni United States Army soldiers 20th-century American male actors People without hands

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About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.