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Happy Birthday, William Holden, Film Star and Hollywood “Golden Boy”
April 17, 2009
by
findingDulcinea Staff
Long before Tom Hanks ruled romantic comedies, or Brad Pitt dazzled audiences with his baby face, William Holden was the “Golden Boy” of Hollywood. Debuting at the age of 20, Holden would have an impressive career that spanned more than 40 years and earned him numerous nominations and awards.
Early Days
William Holden was born William Franklin Beedle Jr., on April 17, 1918, in O’Fallon, Ill. His father was an industrial chemist, and his mother, Mary Blanche Ball, was a teacher. When he was 3, Beedle's parents moved the family to Pasadena, Calif.
As a student studying chemistry at Pasadena Junior College, young William also participated in radio plays and spent time at the Pasadena Playhouse. In 1937, a talent scout from Paramount Pictures discovered him, and switched his last name to something more glamorous: “Holden.”
Good looks and a muscular build helped Holden secure the lead in the drama “Golden Boy,” but the roll was tough for him. Co-star Barbara Stanwyck helped him learn the fundamentals of performing for a camera.
As a student studying chemistry at Pasadena Junior College, young William also participated in radio plays and spent time at the Pasadena Playhouse. In 1937, a talent scout from Paramount Pictures discovered him, and switched his last name to something more glamorous: “Holden.”
Good looks and a muscular build helped Holden secure the lead in the drama “Golden Boy,” but the roll was tough for him. Co-star Barbara Stanwyck helped him learn the fundamentals of performing for a camera.
Notable Accomplishments
Holden's budding film career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Army Air Force.
After the war, he returned to the big screen, securing important roles such as screenwriter Joe Gillis in the classic “Sunset Boulevard,” and as a tutor in “Born Yesterday.” He later moved on to films like “Stalag 17,” for which he won an Oscar, and “Sabrina.”
During the course of his career, the handsome and powerful actor shared the screen with the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Gloria Swanson and Kim Novak. In fact, a slow dance between Novak and Holden in the film “Picnic” is considered a powerful scene in movie history.
Holden also acted in “Network,” a 1976 production that received five Oscar nominations and three awards in acting categories. Holden didn't receive an award for this movie, but he was one of the nominees.
After the war, he returned to the big screen, securing important roles such as screenwriter Joe Gillis in the classic “Sunset Boulevard,” and as a tutor in “Born Yesterday.” He later moved on to films like “Stalag 17,” for which he won an Oscar, and “Sabrina.”
During the course of his career, the handsome and powerful actor shared the screen with the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Gloria Swanson and Kim Novak. In fact, a slow dance between Novak and Holden in the film “Picnic” is considered a powerful scene in movie history.
Holden also acted in “Network,” a 1976 production that received five Oscar nominations and three awards in acting categories. Holden didn't receive an award for this movie, but he was one of the nominees.
The Rest of the Story
Holden was married to actress Brenda Marshall. Together, they had three children, including a daughter from Brenda's first marriage.
In the 1950s, Holden traveled to Africa on a safari with two friends. He stayed on the continent for weeks while they sought out the “Big 5”: a rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard.
The trio stayed in various inns during their time on the continent, and later learned that one of their favorite “repairing” spots was for sale. “After many drinks and lots of dreams,” they bought the inn and transformed it into the Mt. Kenya Safari club.
Sharing a love of nature and a concern for the dwindling animal heards of East Africa, Holden and fellow purchaser Don Hunt took a great interest in conservation. When a 2,000-acre farm surrounding the inn was put up for sale, the Mount Kenya Game Ranch was created.
Holden’s legacy lives on through the wildlife preservation he helped establish in Kenya. He often called it his greatest work.
Holden’s final role was as Tim Culley, a “hard-drinking film producer” in the 1981 movie “S.O.B.” In November of that same year, he was found dead in his Santa Monica home. His death was ruled an accident, the result of head injuries sustained from a fall while he was likely intoxicated.
In the 1950s, Holden traveled to Africa on a safari with two friends. He stayed on the continent for weeks while they sought out the “Big 5”: a rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard.
The trio stayed in various inns during their time on the continent, and later learned that one of their favorite “repairing” spots was for sale. “After many drinks and lots of dreams,” they bought the inn and transformed it into the Mt. Kenya Safari club.
Sharing a love of nature and a concern for the dwindling animal heards of East Africa, Holden and fellow purchaser Don Hunt took a great interest in conservation. When a 2,000-acre farm surrounding the inn was put up for sale, the Mount Kenya Game Ranch was created.
Holden’s legacy lives on through the wildlife preservation he helped establish in Kenya. He often called it his greatest work.
Holden’s final role was as Tim Culley, a “hard-drinking film producer” in the 1981 movie “S.O.B.” In November of that same year, he was found dead in his Santa Monica home. His death was ruled an accident, the result of head injuries sustained from a fall while he was likely intoxicated.
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