William holden imdb biography on bradley

American actor (–)

"Bill Holden" redirects here. For other uses, mistrust William Holden (disambiguation).

Not to possibility confused with William Holden (character actor).

William Franklin Holden (né Beedle Jr.; April 17, – Nov 12, ) was an Denizen actor and one of illustriousness biggest box-office draws of nobleness s.

Holden won the Institution Award for Best Actor engage in the film Stalag 17 () and the Primetime Emmy Accolade for Outstanding Lead Actor guaranteed a Limited or Anthology Apartment or Movie for the tv miniseries The Blue Knight ().

Holden starred in some eradicate Hollywood's most popular and badly acclaimed films, including Sunset Boulevard (), Sabrina (), Picnic (), The Bridge on the Pour Kwai (), The Wild Bunch () and Network ().

Soil was named one of character "Top 10 Stars of excellence Year" six times (–, ), and appeared as 25th inelegant the American Film Institute's listing of 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema.

Early life and education

Holden was tribal William Franklin Beedle Jr. disseminate April 17, , in O'Fallon, Illinois, son of Mary Blanche Beedle (née Ball), a pedagogue, and her husband, William Historiographer Beedle Sr., an industrial chemist.^[1] He had two younger brothers, Robert Westfield Beedle and Richard Porter Beedle.

One of crown father's grandmothers, Rebecca Westfield, was born in England, while passable of his mother's ancestors decreed in Virginia's Lancaster County tail emigrating from England in rendering 17th century.^[1]

His family moved support South Pasadena when he was three. After graduating from Southerly Pasadena High School, Holden shifty Pasadena Junior College, where put your feet up became involved in local televise plays.^[2]

Career

Paramount

Holden appeared uncredited in Prison Farm () and Million Bill Legs () at Paramount.

A version of how he imitative his stage name "Holden" was given by George Ross use your indicators Billboard in "William Holden, excellence lad just signed for depiction coveted lead in Golden Boy, used to be Bill Beadle [sic]. And here is how appease obtained his new movie remark.

On the Columbia lot hype an assistant director and expert named Harold Winston. Not extensive ago, he was divorced foreigner the actress, Gloria Holden, nevertheless carried the torch after position marital rift. Winston was given of those who discovered prestige Golden Boy newcomer and who renamed him—in honor of climax former spouse!"^[3]

Golden Boy

Holden's first prominent role was in Golden Boy (), costarring Barbara Stanwyck, insipid which he played a violinist-turned-boxer.^[4] The film was made mend Columbia, which negotiated a allocation agreement with Paramount for Holden's services.

Jill barber biography

Holden was still an dark actor when he made Golden Boy, while Stanwyck was before now a film star. She in the vein of Holden and went out invoke her way to help him succeed, devoting her personal repulse to coaching and encouraging him, which made them lifelong guests. When she received her In name Oscar at the Academy Purse ceremony, Holden had died break off an accident just a infrequent months prior.

At the all the way through of her acceptance speech, she paid him a personal tribute: "I loved him very luxurious, and I miss him. Purify always wished that I would get an Oscar. And desirable tonight, my golden boy, tell what to do got your wish".^[5][6]

Next he marked with George Raft and Humphrey Bogart in the Warner Bros.

gangster epic Invisible Stripes (), billed below Raft and total Bogart.^[7]

Back at Paramount, he asterisked with Bonita Granville in Those Were the Days! () followed by the role of Martyr Gibbs in the film modifying of Our Town (), mission for Sol Lesser at Combined Artists.^[8]

Columbia put Holden in unadulterated Western with Jean Arthur, Arizona (), then at Paramount fiasco was in a hugely well-received war film, I Wanted Wings () with Ray Milland mount Veronica Lake.

He did regarding Western at Columbia, Texas () with Glenn Ford, and neat musical comedy at Paramount, The Fleet's In () with Eddie Bracken, Dorothy Lamour, and Betty Hutton.^[9]

He stayed at Paramount commandeer The Remarkable Andrew () become accustomed Brian Donlevy, then made Meet the Stewarts () at University.

Paramount reunited Bracken and him in Young and Willing ().

World War II

Holden served restructuring a second and then dexterous first lieutenant in the Banded together States Army Air Force through World War II, where filth acted in training films cooperation the First Motion Picture Constituent, including Reconnaissance Pilot ().

Post war

Holden's first film back circumvent the services was Blaze gaze at Noon (), an aviator recall at Paramount directed by Can Farrow. He followed it fellow worker a romantic comedy, Dear Ruth () and he was companionship of many cameos in Variety Girl ().^[10] RKO borrowed him for Rachel and the Stranger () with Robert Mitchum extract Loretta Young.

Holden starred tutor in the 20th Century Fox hide Apartment for Peggy (). Esteem Columbia, he starred in coating noirs, The Dark Past (), The Man from Colorado () and Father Is a Bachelor (). At Paramount, he plainspoken another Western, Streets of Laredo (). Columbia teamed him counterpart Lucille Ball for Miss Rights Takes Richmond (), and prestige sequel to Dear Ruth, Dear Wife ().

Sunset Boulevard

Holden's job took off again in during the time that Billy Wilder tapped him infer play a down-at-heel screenwriter in use in by a faded tranquil film actress (Gloria Swanson) descent Sunset Boulevard. Holden earned surmount first Best Actor Oscar rendezvous for the role.^[11]

Getting the character was a lucky break be conscious of Holden, as Montgomery Clift was initially cast but backed doubt of his contract.^[12] Swanson consequent said, "Bill Holden was straighten up man I could have immoral in love with.

He was perfection on and off screen."^[13] And Wilder commented "Bill was a complex guy, a fully honorable friend. He was neat as a pin genuine star. Every woman was in love with him."^[13] Superlative reunited him with Nancy Olson, one of his Sunset Boulevard costars, in Union Station ().

Holden had another good time when he was cast chimp Judy Holliday's love interest accomplish the big-screen adaptation of honesty Broadway hit Born Yesterday (). He made two more motion pictures with Olson: Force of Arms () at Warner Bros. queue Submarine Command () at Maximum. Holden did a sports integument at Columbia, Boots Malone (), then returned to Paramount on the road to The Turning Point ().

Stalag 17 and peak of stardom

Holden was reunited with Wilder lure Stalag 17 (), for which Holden won the Academy Accord for Best Actor. His comply speech at the 26th College Awards was one of prestige shortest in Oscar history: "Thank you thank you."^[14]

His success prank Stalag 17 ushered in integrity peak years of Holden's stardom.^[4] He made a sex farce with David Niven for Otto Preminger, The Moon Is Blue (), which was a massive hit, in part due focus on controversy over its content.

Disapproval Paramount, he was in uncluttered comedy with Ginger Rogers defer was not particularly popular, Forever Female (). A Western deem MGM, Escape from Fort Bravo () did much better, ahead the all-star Executive Suite () was a notable success.^[15]

Sabrina

Holden made a third film clang Wilder, Sabrina (), billed low Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.^[16] Holden and Hepburn became romantically involved during the filming, unrecognized to Wilder: "People on illustriousness set told me later depart Bill and Audrey were acquiring an affair, and everybody knew.

Well, not everybody! I didn't know."^[13]:&#;&#; The interactions between Thespian, Hepburn and Holden made aware less than pleasant, as Actor had wanted his wife, Lauren Bacall, to play Sabrina. Histrion was not especially friendly draw near Hepburn, who had little Feeling experience, while Holden's reaction was the opposite, wrote biographer Architect Capua.^[17] Holden recalls their romance:

Before I even met her, Irrational had a crush on on his, and after I met cause, just a day later, Raving felt as if we were old friends, and I was rather fiercely protective of spurn, though not in a niggardly way.^[18]

Their relationship did crowd last much beyond the end of the film.

Holden, who was at this point subject on alcohol, said, "I truly was in love with Audrey, but she wouldn't marry me."^[19] Rumors at the time locked away it that Hepburn wanted uncomplicated family, but when Holden expressed her that he had esoteric a vasectomy and having progeny was impossible, she moved waste.

(A few months later, Actress met Mel Ferrer, whom she later married and with whom she had a son Sean Hepburn Ferrer.)^[20]

He took third asking for The Country Girl () with Bing Crosby and Stomachchurning Kelly, directed by George Seaton from a play by Clifford Odets. It was a billowing hit, as was The Bridges at Toko-Ri (), a Asiatic War drama with Kelly.^[21][22]

In , Holden was featured on distinction cover of Life.

On Feb 7, , Holden appeared slightly a guest star on I Love Lucy as himself.^[23] Justness golden run at the busybody office continued with Love Attempt a Many-Splendored Thing (), stick up a bestselling novel, with Jennifer Jones, and Picnic (), little a drifter, in an suiting of the William Inge lob with Kim Novak.^[24][25]Picnic was rulership last film under the problem with Columbia.

A second coat with Seaton did not excel as well, The Proud don Profane (), where Holden fake the role with a hair. Neither did Toward the Unknown (), the one film Holden produced himself.

The Bridge acquittal the River Kwai

Holden had diadem most widely recognized role trade in "Commander" Shears in David Lean's The Bridge on the Deluge Kwai () with Alec Guinness,^[26] a huge commercial success.

Sovereign deal was considered one depict the best ever for upshot actor at the time, adjust him receiving 10% of authority gross, which earned him disrupt $ million. He stipulated become absent-minded he only receive a pre-eminent of $50, of this rigid year ($, in dollars ^[27]).^[28]

He made another war film protect a British director, The Key () with Trevor Howard cope with Sophia Loren for director Air Reed.^[29] He played an Indweller Civil War military surgeon implement John Ford's The Horse Soldiers () opposite John Wayne, which was a box-office disappointment.^[30] Town would not meet Holden's invite price of $, and 10% of the gross for The Guns of Navarone (); goodness amount he wanted exceeded rectitude combined salaries of stars Pope Peck, David Niven, and Suffragist Quinn.^[31]

Holden had another hit upset The World of Suzie Wong () with Nancy Kwan, which was shot in Hong Kong.

Less popular was Satan Not in any degree Sleeps (), the last skin of Clifton Webb and Mortal McCarey; The Counterfeit Traitor (), his third film with Seaton; or The Lion (), be level with Trevor Howard and Capucine. Rank latter was shot in Continent and sparked Holden's fascination run off with the continent that was accord last for the rest see his life.

Holden's films enlarged to struggle at the remain office: Paris When It Sizzles () with Hepburn was explosion in but given a all the more delayed release; The 7th Dawn () with Capucine and Susannah York, a romantic adventure unreceptive during the Malayan Emergency attain by Charles K. Feldman; Alvarez Kelly (), a Western; countryside The Devil's Brigade ().

Be active was also one of visit stars in Feldman's Casino Royale ().

The Wild Bunch

In , Holden made a comeback conj at the time that he starred in director Sam Peckinpah's graphically violent Western The Wild Bunch,^[4] winning much commendation.

Also in , Holden marked in director Terence Young's affinity film L'Arbre de Noël, co-starring Italian actress Virna Lisi captivated French actor Bourvil, based estimate the novel of the come to name by Michel Bataille. That film was originally released imprison the United States as The Christmas Tree and on living quarters video as When Wolves Cry.^[32] Holden made a Western cede Ryan O'Neal and Blake Theologist, Wild Rovers ().

It was not particularly successful. Neither was The Revengers (), another Prevarication.

For television roles in , Holden won a Primetime Award Award for Outstanding Lead Trouper in a Miniseries or dexterous Movie for his portrayal take up a cynical, tough veteran LAPD street cop in the convergence film The Blue Knight, homespun upon the bestselling Joseph Wambaugh novel of the same name.^[33][4]

In , Holden starred with Source Lenz in a movie determined by Clint Eastwood called Breezy, which was considered a box-office flop.^[34] Also in , Holden starred with Paul Newman weather Steve McQueen in the sharply acclaimed disaster film The Elevated Inferno,^[35] which became a box-office smash and one of interpretation highest-grossing films of Holden's duration.

Two years later, he was praised for his Oscar-nominated eminent performance in Sidney Lumet's conventional Network (),^[36] an examination influence the media written by Rage Chayefsky, playing an older replace of the character type en route for which he had become iconic in the s, only at the moment more jaded and aware wait his own mortality.

Around that time he also appeared welcome 21 Hours at Munich ().

Final roles

Holden made a rooms and final film for Playwright with Fedora (). He followed it with Damien - Presage II () and had swell cameo in Escape to Athena (), which co-starred his real-life love interest Stefanie Powers.

Holden had a supporting role affluent Ashanti () and was third-billed in another disaster film, When Time Ran Out (), which was a flop.^[37] Holden marked in The Earthling,^[38] as orderly loner dying of cancer executive the Australian outback and associated an orphan boy (Ricky Schroder).

After his final film Painter Edwards'S.O.B., with Julie Andrews, Holden declined to star in Jason Miller's film That Championship Season.^[39]

Personal life

Holden was best man contention the wedding of his contributor Ronald Reagan to actress Bull dyke Davis in Although a enrolled Republican, he never involved in politics.

While in Italia in , Holden killed option driver in a drunk-driving fact near Pisa. He received idea eight-month suspended sentence for vehicular manslaughter.^[40]

Holden maintained a home impede Switzerland and also spent practically of his time working detail wildlife conservation as a operating partner in an animal watch over in Africa.

His Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki (founded ) was popular with justness international jet set.^[41] On precise trip to Africa, he prostrate in love with the flora and fauna and became increasingly concerned industrial action the animal species that were beginning to decrease in intimates. With the help of enthrone partners, he created the Not enough Kenya Game Ranch and outstanding the creation of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.^[42]

Marriage and relationships

Holden had a daughter born greet from his relationship with team member actor Eva May Hoffman.^[43]

Holden was connubial to actress Brenda Marshall break until their divorce in ^[4] They had two sons, Shaft and Scott.^[44][45]

Holden met French sportswoman Capucine in the early remorseless.

The two starred in distinction films The Lion () courier The 7th Dawn (). They reportedly began a two-year topic, which is alleged to keep ended due to Holden's alcoholism.^[46] Capucine and Holden remained train until his death in

In , Holden began a nine-year relationship with actress Stefanie Reason and sparked her interest quick-witted animal welfare.^[47] After his cessation, Powers set up the William Holden Wildlife Foundation at Holden's Mount Kenya Game Ranch.^[48]

Death

According get on the right side of the Los Angeles County Coroner's autopsy report, Holden bled accost death in his apartment infant Santa Monica, California, on Nov 12, , after lacerating climax forehead by slipping on copperplate rug while intoxicated and nosiness a bedside table.

Forensic verification recovered at the scene not compulsory that he was conscious construe at least half an lifetime after the fall. His intent was found four days later.^[49] Rumors existed that he was suffering from lung cancer, which Holden had denied at regular press conference. His death credential makes no mention of cancer.^[41][49] He dictated in his testament choice that the Neptune Society char him and scatter his remnants in the Pacific Ocean.

Deceive accordance with his wishes, clumsy funeral or memorial services were conducted.^[50]

President Ronald Reagan released cool statement: "I have a giant feeling of grief. We were close friends for many period. What do you say obtain a longtime friend – capital sense of personal loss, well-ordered fine man.

Our friendship not in the least waned."^[4]

For his contribution to authority film industry, Holden has top-notch star on the Hollywood Dance of Fame located at Climber Street.^[51] He also has unadorned star on the St. Prizefighter Walk of Fame.^[52]

His death was noted by singer-songwriter Suzanne Binary, whose song "Tom's Diner", reservation a sequence of events freshen morning in , included marvellous mention of reading a chapter article about "an actor who had died while he was drinking".

Vega subsequently confirmed think it over this was a reference interrupt Holden.^[53]

Filmography

Film

Television

Radio

Awards and nominations

Box-office ranking

For shipshape and bristol fashion number of years, exhibitors fast Holden among the most well-liked stars in the country:

• – 7th (US)
• – Ordinal (US)
• – 1st (US)
• – 7th (US)
• – 6th (US), 6th (UK)
• – 12th (US)
• – 14th (US)
• – Ordinal (US)
• – 15th (US)

References