Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada; raised in Boston, MA. A paratroop sergeant in WWII, he lost both hands in a hand-grenade explosion. He appeared in an Army documentary, THE DIARY OF A SERGEANT, depicting the rehabilitation of an amputee. Later he was chosen by William Wyler to play a key role in THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946) and won the 1946 best supporting actor Academy Award for his natural performance as an amputee struggling to adjust to civilian life, as well as a second, special Academy Award "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans." He is the only actor ever to win two Oscars® for the same role. In 1949 he published his autobiography, Victory in My Hands. Later a business executive, in 1964 he was appointed by President Johnson as chairman of the President's Committee on Hiring the Handicapped. After THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, Russell's subsequent screen appearances were rare: INSIDE MOVES (1980), PAYBACK (1988) and DOGTOWN (1997). He also appeared on television in episodes of "Trapper John, M.D." (1981) and "China Beach" (1989).  Supporting Actor 1946: THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES  Special Award 1946: "For bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES." Winner presented a Statuette. 1 nomination, 1 Award, 1 Special Award