Who became the only actor to ever win two Academy Awards for the same performance?

Harold Russell (1914 – 2002) is the only actor to ever win two Academy Awards for the same performance. Film director William Wyler decided to cast Russell in the 1946 film "The Best Years of Our Lives" (aka Glory for Me and Home Again). Russell played Petty Officer 2nd Class Homer Parrish in the film. For this role, he received two Oscars, a Best Supporting Actor Award and an Acting Award for being an inspiration to all veteran actors returning to films.

Despite his Oscar-nominated performance, Harold Russell was not a professional actor. The Academy Board of Governors considered him a long shot to win. They, therefore, decided to give him an honorary award "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance". This was the first award that he was given. When Russell, in fact, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, there was an enthusiastic public response. He then at that time became the only actor to receive two Academy Awards for the same performance.

In 1992, Russell sold his Best Supporting Actor award at auction for $60,500 ($108,000 in 2019), to pay his wife's medical bills.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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6 Comments

Marian Spitzig

One cannot auction their Oscars anymore. They legally only are worth $1.00.

Richard G. Gomsrud

The question should be who received or was awarded, not won, two Oscars. He won the supporting actor Oscar but was awarded the second. No one else was competing for the second. Still love the subject though.

matthew rosa

You Forgot To Mention, -To All Those Too Young To Remember, -He Was A Double-Hand Amputee, (A Victim Of A Military Accident,) And Performed His Role With Crude-Looking, Hook-Like Artificial Limbs. His Presence In The Film Was New And Noteworthy At The Time, Along With Being A Veteran. He Helped Open The Door Of The Acting Profession To More Diversified People, Starting With The Disabled, And Still Continues To This Day.