Harold Russell with his Oscar.

Harold Russell Born Harold John Avery Russell January 14, 1914 North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada Died January 29, 2002 (aged 88) Needham, Massachusetts, U.S. Resting place Lakeview Cemetery Wayland, Massachusetts Spouses Rita Russell-Nixon (m. 1944; died 1978)​ Betty Marshalsea (m. 1981)​ Children 2 Military career Allegiance United States Service/branch United States Army Years of service 1941–1945 Rank Sergeant Unit 13th Airborne Division Battles/wars World War II Harold John Avery Russell (January 14, 1914 – January 29, 2002) was an American World War II veteran and actor. After losing his hands during a demolition training accident during his military service, Russell was cast in the epic drama film The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was the first non-professional actor to win an Academy Award for acting and the first Oscar recipient to sell his award.