This page will contain discussion groups about William Holden, as they become available.William HoldenFor the North Carolina Governor by this name, please see William Woods Holden. For the California Lieutenant Governor by this name, please see William Holden (politician). William Holden William Holden (April 17, 1918 - November 12, 1981) was an American film actor. Born William Franklin Beedle Jr. in O'Fallon, Illinois, he moved with his wealthy family to Pasadena, California when he was three. His father was an industrial chemist and his mother a teacher. In 1937, while still in college, he was signed to a movie contract. His first role was in Prison Farm the following year. His first starring role was in 1939's Golden Boy, in which he played a boxer who wants to be a violinist. His career took off after he returned from World War II, as he played a series of roles that mixed his good looks and cynical detachment: the down at the heels screenwriter in Sunset Boulevard, the prisoner of war entrepreneur in Stalag 17, the dangerous wanderer in Picnic and the ill-fated prisoner in The Bridge on the River Kwai. He also played a number of sunnier parts in light comedy with just as much success, such as the tutor in Born Yesterday and Humphrey Bogart's younger brother in Sabrina. Holden also starred in more than his share of forgettable movies, forced by the studios that held his contract to keep him working. Holden had for many years suffered from alcoholism and severe depression. By the early 1960s he appeared to be sleepwalking through many of his roles. That led in turn to the last phase of his career, beginning with The Wild Bunch and ending with Network, in which Holden played the older version of the character he had perfected in the 1950s, now more jaded and aware of his own mortality. His last movie was S.O.B.. Holden was married to Brenda Marshall from 1941 to 1971, when they divorced. The couple had two sons, and he adopted the daughter of his wife's first marriage. Holden spent much of his time owning and managing an animal preserve in Africa. He died of a fall at his home in Santa Monica, California in 1981 (his body was found on 16 November, but forensic evidence suggested he had died on 12 November). Holden had been heavily intoxicated and slipped on a rug in his apartment gashing his head on a table. He bled to death from this injury. It is believed that Holden's death is mentioned in the song Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega: "I open up the paper there's a story of an actor / Who had died While he was drinking it was no one I had heard of". Holden was cremated; his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Academy Awards and Nominations
Filmography
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Holden was cremated; his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. "You only live once, except for Shirley MacLaine." -King on life. Holden had been heavily intoxicated and slipped on a rug in his apartment gashing his head on a table. Except for salami and eggs. He died of a fall at his home in Santa Monica, California in 1981 (his body was found on 16 November, but forensic evidence suggested he had died on 12 November). "As life's pleasures go, food is second only to sex. Holden spent much of his time owning and managing an animal preserve in Africa. "It even cleared out your nostrils, your sinuses, and the wax in your ears." -King on his mother's enemas. The couple had two sons, and he adopted the daughter of his wife's first marriage. Queen?" -King on royalty. Holden was married to Brenda Marshall from 1941 to 1971, when they divorced. King?" Alan King: "How do you do, Mrs. That led in turn to the last phase of his career, beginning with The Wild Bunch and ending with Network, in which Holden played the older version of the character he had perfected in the 1950s, now more jaded and aware of his own mortality. His last movie was S.O.B.. Queen Elizabeth II: "How do you do, Mr. By the early 1960s he appeared to be sleepwalking through many of his roles. "Modesty is not one of my virtues." - King on his ego. Holden had for many years suffered from alcoholism and severe depression. "Because no one could make the announcement 'Miss Garland will not appear tonight' better than I could." -King on why he opened for Judy Garland. Holden also starred in more than his share of forgettable movies, forced by the studios that held his contract to keep him working. And I wouldn't let him cut my nails." -King on doctors. He also played a number of sunnier parts in light comedy with just as much success, such as the tutor in Born Yesterday and Humphrey Bogart's younger brother in Sabrina. "My brother is the youngest member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. His career took off after he returned from World War II, as he played a series of roles that mixed his good looks and cynical detachment: the down at the heels screenwriter in Sunset Boulevard, the prisoner of war entrepreneur in Stalag 17, the dangerous wanderer in Picnic and the ill-fated prisoner in The Bridge on the River Kwai. If the banks are so friendly, how come they chain down the pens?" -King on banks. His first starring role was in 1939's Golden Boy, in which he played a boxer who wants to be a violinist. Now you have 'a friend,' your friendly bank. His first role was in Prison Farm the following year. "The banks have a new image. In 1937, while still in college, he was signed to a movie contract. "Why is everybody carrying on about Woolworth's? Have you ever eaten at the counter at Woolworth's? If you wanted to sit in the Colony Club, I could understand." -King on lunch counter sit-ins during the 1960s. His father was an industrial chemist and his mother a teacher. He was 76. Born William Franklin Beedle Jr. in O'Fallon, Illinois, he moved with his wealthy family to Pasadena, California when he was three. King died at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan on May 9th, 2004, after succumbing to lung cancer. William Holden (April 17, 1918 - November 12, 1981) was an American film actor. The cancer eventually returned. For the California Lieutenant Governor by this name, please see William Holden (politician).. A life-long cigar smoker, King was forced to quit smoking in 1992 after cancer led to the removal of half his jaw. For the North Carolina Governor by this name, please see William Woods Holden. He also started the Toyota Comedy Festival. Prison Farm (1938). In the 1970s, King turned his passion for tennis into a pro tournament in Las Vegas called the Alan King Tennis Classic. Golden Boy (1939). He also created the Laugh Well program, which sends comedians to hospitals to perform for patients. Invisible Stripes (1939). He founded the Alan King Medical Center in Jerusalem, raised funds for the Nassau Center for Emotionally Disturbed Children (near his home in Great Neck, New York), and established a chair in dramatic arts at Brandeis University. Our Town (1940). Throughout his life, King was deeply involved in charity work. Those Were the Days (1940). King realized he had neglected his family and began spending more time at home. Arizona (1940). In the 1970s, King discovered one son was addicted to drugs and turned him in to police. I Wanted Wings (1941). In the 1960s, King's performances in Las Vegas led him to face up to a gambling addiction that made him limit his performances in Las Vegas. Texas (1941). King was also the long-standing host of the New York Friar's Club celebrity roasts. The Fleet's In (1942). Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. The Remarkable Andrew (1942). He became a regular guest host for the Tonight Show, hosted the Oscars in 1972, and was the emcee for President John F. Meet the Stewarts (1942). His career took off after appearances on the Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, and Garry Moore Shows. King also became a popular television host. Young and Willing (1943). Like many other Jewish comics, King worked the Catskill circuit known as the Borscht Belt. Blaze of Noon (1947). King played small roles in movies in the 1950s, but disliked playing stereotypical roles that he described as "always the sergeant from Brooklyn named Kowalski." [1] (http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/05/09/obit.king.ap/index.html) King eventually expanded his range and made a name for himself playing gangsters in five movies, including Cats Eye and The Anderson Tapes. Dear Ruth (1947). When Martin was cast in the movie Hit the Deck, he suggested King for a part, which gave King his first movie role. Rachel and the Stranger (1948). King began opening for many celebrities including Judy Garland, Patti Page, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Lena Horne and Tony Martin. Apartment for Peggy (1948). With America moving to suburbs, King's humor took off. The Dark Past (1948). The focus of his routines became life in the suburbs. The Man from Colorado (1949). There, he developed comedy revolving around life in suburbia. Streets of Laredo (1949). His wife persuaded him to move to Forest Hills, Queens for their children. Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949). He had three children, Andrew, Robert, and Elaine Ray. Dear Wife (1949). King married Jeanette Sprung in 1947. Father Is a Bachelor (1950). His comedy inspired other comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal. Sunset Boulevard (1950). King changed his own style from one-liners to a more conversational style that used everyday life for humor. Union Station (1950). King realized that Thomas was talking to his audience, not at them, and was getting a better response. Born Yesterday (1950). King's style of comedy changed when he saw Danny Thomas performing in the early 1950s. Force of Arms (1951). King started out with the usual routines of one-liners about mother-in-laws and Jews. Boots Malone (1952). King began working as a doorman at the popular nightclub Leon and Eddie's while performing comedy under the last name of the boxer who beat him, "King.". Submarine Command (1952). He won twenty straight fights before losing. Nursing a broken nose, King decided to quit boxing and focus on his comedy career. The Turning Point (1952). He worked in Canada in a burlesque house while also fighting as a professional boxer. The Moon Is Blue (1953). After one joke that made fun of the hotel's owner, King was fired. Stalag 17 (1953). At fifteen, King dropped out of high school to perform comedy at the Hotel Gradus in the Catskill Mountains. Forever Female (1953). He lost first prize, but was invited to join a nationwide tour. Escape from Fort Bravo (1954). When he was fourteen, King performed "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime" on the radio program Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour. Executive Suite (1954). As a child, King performed impersonations on street corners for pennies. Sabrina (1954). King used humor to survive in the tough neighborhoods. The Country Girl (1954). The youngest of several children, King spent his first years on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later, King's family moved to Brooklyn. The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1955). King was born Irwin Alan Kniberg. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1955). He died of lung cancer. Picnic (1955). In later years, he helped many philanthropic causes. The Proud and Profane (1956). King wrote several books, produced films, and appeared in plays. Toward the Unknown (1956). He appeared in a number of movies and television shows. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). King became well-known as a Jewish comedian and satirist. The Key (1958). Alan King (December 26, 1927 - May 9, 2004), born Irwin Alan Kniberg, was an American comedian known for his biting wit and often angry humorous rants. The Horse Soldiers (1959). Matzoh Balls for Breakfast and Other Memories of Growing Up Jewish (2005). The World of Suzie Wong (1960). Is Salami and Eggs Better Than Sex? Memoirs of a Happy Eater. Satan Never Sleeps (1962). Name Dropping: The Life and Lies of Alan King. The Counterfeit Traitor (1962). Help! I'm a Prisoner in a Chinese Bakery (1964). The Lion (1962). Anyone Who Owns His Own Home, Deserves One (1962). Paris, When It Sizzles (1964). Goldwyn (actor). The 7th Dawn (1964). Mr. Alvarez Kelly (1966). Something Different (producer). Casino Royale (1967). The Lion in Winter (producer). The Devil's Brigade (1968). The Impossible Years (actor) (1956). The Wild Bunch (1969). Guys and Dolls (actor). The Christmas Tree (1969). Casino (1995). Wild Rovers (1971). Night and the City (1992). The Revengers (1972). The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990). Breezy (1973). Enemies, A Love Story (1989). Open Season (1974). Memories of Me (1988). The Towering Inferno (1974). Cat's Eye (1985). Network (1976). Just Tell Me What You Want (1980). Damien: Omen II (1978). The Anderson Tapes (1971). Fedora (1978). Bye Bye Braverman (1968). Ashanti (1979). Operation Snafu (1961). When Time Ran Out (1980). The Helen Morgan Story (1957). The Earthling (1980). Miracle in the Rain (1956). S.O.B. (1981). Hit the Deck (1955). Best Actor Nomination for Sunset Boulevard (1951). The Girl He Left Behind. Best Actor Award for Stalag 17 (1954). Best Actor Nomination for Network (1976). |