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Harold John Russell was born in Nova Scotia in 1914. His family moved to Cambridge Massachusetts when his father died in 1919. He was training paratroopers at Camp MacKall NC on June 6, 1944 when some TNT he was using exploded in his hands. He lost both hands. After receiving hooks, and training on them, he was chosen to make an Army training film called "Diary Of A Sergeant". William Wyler saw the film and decided to cast him in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Harold Russell played Homer Parish. For this role he received 2 Oscars, a Best Supporting and one for being an inspiration to all returning veterans. He is the only actor to receive 2 Oscars for the same role. After the movie he attended Boston University. He later went on to help establish AMVETS as a viable alternative to the American Legion for veterans, though his dream of an international veterans organization was never realized. He later appeared in Inside Moves (1980) and Dogtown (1997). He lived with his wife on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. He wrote 2 biographies: "Victory In My Hands" (1947) & "The Best Years Of My Life" (1981).

South African-born Stratford Johns was forever associated with the role of tough, abrasive Superintendant Charlie Barlow on TV's Z Cars (1962) and its sequels Softly Softly: Task Force (1969) and Barlow at Large (1971). In between, he also played Barlow in the miniseries Jack the Ripper (1973) (which, in turn, led to a 'cold case' investigation series called Second Verdict (1976)). He even spoofed his famous screen detective on The Two Ronnies (1971). His perennial sidekick was the actor Frank Windsor (in the role of Sergeant Watt), who once jokingly referred to their on-screen partnership as being "the Morecambe & Wise of serious television".

Johns was educated in Pietermaritzburg in Natal Province. He began working life as a deckhand with the South African Navy during World War II. He then had a brief spell as an accountant, before finding his vocation in the dramatic arts. After some work in local repertory companies, he went to England on a one-way ticket in 1948, acting for four and a half years on stage in Southend-on-Sea, followed by a comedy act in the variety halls. Since this amounted to little more than a meager income, Johns was forced to make ends meet by doing handyman jobs, building fences, painting and gardening. His big break came in 1962, when he was presented with the choice of whether to accept a small part in the epic blockbuster Cleopatra (1963), or, alternatively, screen test for a new BBC police series (initially called "Crime Cars"). Though tempted by the gentler Roman climate, he wisely chose the latter.

For better or worse, Johns became identified with Barlow to such an extent over the years, that he was even sought-after by police for recruitment drives on television. Conversely, though he occasionally attempted to break away from typecasting, especially on stage, he was rarely deemed to have succeeded.

Barbara Townsend was born on 4 August 1913 in Oakland, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Hard to Kill (1990), AfterMASH (1983) and Remington Steele (1982). She was married to Dr. William Louis Wheeler Jr and John Shaffer III. She died on 29 January 2002 in Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Phil McCall was born on 26 November 1925 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for Breaking the Waves (1996), The Master of Ballantrae (1962) and One Life Stand (2000). He was married to Katherine McCall. He died on 29 January 2002 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK.

Richard Lane was born on 16 April 1927 in Austin, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Crazylegs (1953), Paper Lion (1968) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He was married to Dinah Washington. He died on 29 January 2002 in Austin, Texas, USA.

Berto Pisano was born on 13 October 1928 in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. He was a composer, known for Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! (1971), Death Smiles on a Murderer (1973) and The Big Blackout (1966). He died on 29 January 2002 in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.

Jarmila Beránková was born on 15 May 1919 in Kojetica by Prague, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]. She was an actress, known for Fibichuv poem (1940), Reka (1933) and Pereje (1941). She died on 29 January 2002 in Prague, Czech Republic.

Dick Lane was born on 16 April 1928. He is known for CIA Code Name: Alexa (1992), Firepower (1993) and Fist of Honor (1993). He died on 29 January 2002 in Austin, Texas, USA.

R.M. Hare was born on 21 March 1919 in Backwell, Somerset, England, UK. He was married to Catherine Verney. He died on 29 January 2002.

Eugeniusz Aniszczenko was born on 13 July 1913 in Luniniec, Poland, Russian Empire [now Luninets, Belarus]. He was an actor, known for Wilczy bilet (1964). He died on 29 January 2002 in Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland.