As the best man at Ronald Reagan's wedding, his star power never dimmed. Oh though, how I would have readily given away my first born for just ONE night with Bill Holden. Even more, the actress was married twice. What he came to represent was integrity, the same thing you get from someone like Henry Fonda.. He truly let his light shine. William Holden still resonates with fans around the world. Judas, howd you wind up in a smelly ditch in Korea? You are correct Tracy Jo! I read his biography, "Golden Boy"---what else?---and learned that the root cause of his drinking was guilt. I have seen almost all his movies except for a few B/W movies and the Seventh Dawn, because I simply cannot find it online. Oops, we were unable to send the email. In early October 1981, Holden travelled from his Palm Springs home to his coastal apartment to live a semi-reclusive existence. I OWNED A TAVERN IN NEWBURGH NEW YORK FOR TWENTY FIVE YEARS, IRETIRED WENT TO FLORIDA WITH A TON OF DOUGH BUT REALLY OVER DID IT.IM 87 NOW AND HAVE TO WATCH WERE I SPEND MY MONEY.ILL HAVE ENOUGH I THINK TILL I REACH 91,BUT IVE LEARNED HUMILITY.I RETIRED AT 54,WITH A BI-POLAR CONDITION,WITH A DEGREE OF ALCOHOLISM,GOD WAS GOOD TO ME HETOLD ME I WASNT GOING TO GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING.I ALWAYS HAD PLENTY,NOW I HAVE LEARNED A LITTLE MODESTY.BILL LEARNED THE SAME THING.HE HAD SUCCESS BUT WE AND HE THINK HE EARNED MORE.LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDID THING,LOVED HIM WITH SOPHIA,EXECUTIVE SUITE,PICNIC U NAME IT.LIKED RICHARD BOONE TOO,HE WAS A RASCAL.GK, He was a father figure for me The Best. I totally adore William Holden and have always thought the circumstances of his death were so very sad. Weve updated the security on the site. Great memories! I thank him for the legacy he left us. That Barbara.She loved those good looking men. '', See the article in its original context from. I always thought Bill Holden was a bell-weather actor. He also earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You were so lucky to have met William Holden in person - I have dreamed about this. June 20, 2021, 9:06 am, by Murdered in Google and came to this sight. Holden and Ernest Borgnine are sitting by a campfire, passing the bottle, said Lewis. He is one of the greatest actors of all timesI wish he had not spoilt his looks on account of heavy drinking He steals your heart in Sunset Boulevard Born Yesterday Love is a many splendored thing and most of the movies in the sixties. Even though he clearly had talent, his lack of experience made shooting very difficult and after just two weeks of filming. Where The Great Actor William Holden Died Alone clyde beck 15.4K subscribers 56K views 7 years ago In this fantastic beach setting facing the Pacific Ocean, in this building called the SHORECLIFF. It was in The Bridge On the River Kwai that Holden most vividly portrayed the American male of the World War II generation. Take your most depressed moments in life where your parents, your children and your spouse have died and you've lost them forever, multiply that by a thousand, and you're getting an idea of the type of feelings a drug addict has. Well, now it is one of my favorites. As a 100 percent heterosexual man, I loved that guy like a brother. Made me happy! A classic movie at a critical junction in my life and always will be; bravo to both of them as Novak still is alive. His last critically acclaimed performance was 1976's "Network," for which he earned his third and final nomination for a Best Actor Academy Award. (1950) Classic Movie Review 81 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com. It was called "The Earthling" and co-stared Ricky Schroder in one of his first films!! In the dance scene, which is well recognized, it was William Holden's ability to embrace the tenderness of the moment and reflected in the simple way in which he holds Kim Novak's hand drawing both hands close to his heart- I find this performance haunting. Bill and Stef had been in a relationship for 9 years by this point. His file at CIA is still classified. They do not make movie stars like him anymore. The truth is that while he was a good actor, he also was a miserable drunk. His films are classics. Theme images by, WHERE ARE THEY NOW: FORGOTTEN CHILD STARS, HOLLYWOOD LOVE: DINAH SHORE AND BURT REYNOLDS, Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements, Danny G's SPECIAL Dino-Amore Month Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Senza Fine", The Classic Film Collective: 7 Amazing Facts from Sidney Poitiers Memoir The Measure of a Man. But before we dive into his early years and accomplishments, take a moment to show us a little support by giving this video a like and subscribing to our channel if you havent already. And before you go, take a moment to show us a little love by giving this video a like and by subscribing to our channel if you havent already. Judging from the condition of his body, investigators estimated that he had been dead for approximately 4 days before being found. Look, Bill was a loner by nature. Sad. He was a great actor and a star. The Death: Dubbed "Hollywood's Golden Boy" and widely recognized as one of the most popular actors in American cinema, William Holden is perhaps best remembered for his roles in Sunset Boulevard and The Towering Inferno. Five years later, he starred with Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the critically acclaimed disaster film The Towering Inferno, which became a box office smash and one of the highest-grossing films of Holdens career. He then beat the odds by landing a starring role in Golden Boy, the film that made him an instant success. He was handsome but not in a classic matinee-idol style; he was the decent average man, only a bit better than average. It is disappointing not see in the text and comments any reference to The Country Girl and Love is a many splendored thing. A film touching and affecting in content and form with an intelligent and moving story of adult, mature, romantic and sexual love conquering the iniquity of racism. At the scene, investigators recovered a large empty bottle of vodka in his trash can as well as 4 beer boles and a mostly full bottle of vodka on his kitchen counter. His doc told him to quit drinking alcohol and coffee, no more advil and no more smoking. I think a case can be made for the idea that he was depressed because he drank. I watch one of his films everyday. For his contribution to the film industry, Holden has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1651 Vine Street. Both very good. He had a hit with the made for television movie "The Blue Knight" in 1973 and earned an Emmy Award for his performance. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. In that movie, he was a perfect foil to Sir Alec Guinness, who played the very correct British army officer who helped the Japanese build an important bridge in Thailand. Despite being relatively young still, he was considered Hollywood old school and began losing roles to younger stars like Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. About 100%. Please take the time to investigate his other occupation, longtime CIA operative. A pressured young engineer/family man in Executive Suite (1954), a conflicted jet pilot in the Korean War film The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), a carefree playboy in Sabrina (1954), his most widely recognized role as an ill-fated prisoner in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) with Alec Guinness, a World War II tug boat captain in The Key (1958), and an American Civil War military surgeon in John Fords The Horse Soldiers(1959) opposite John Wayne. The characters he played on screen possessed the character traits that are most desired and admired of men: strength, integrity, courageousness, humility, empathy, love, faithfulness, kindness, and dependability. If you want to see a gripper, check him out in "Union Station" of 1950. Yes, I thought that segment 'I love Lucy' was priceless. Holden was born William Franklin Beedle Jr. on April 17, 1918, in OFallon, Ill. His father, a chemist, moved his family to Pasadena when William Jr. was very young. I got to Santa Monica and LA in December 2014,my lifetime dream, and did a tour of Paramount studios and saw the office where Joe Gillis stood in Sunset Boulevard.I was going to walk along Ocean Ave to Alta St but became ill on the day I had planned to go.I went to the Pasadena Rose Parade and a man standing behind me said"here comes my home town,O`Fallon Illinois and I said that is where William Holden was born.He looked at me and I told him Bill`s real name and date of birth and he at first did not believe me.I told him to Google him and when he saw the results he said to me "What a fan "I even found the Pasadena Playhouse where Bill first performed.That was also a thrill.At my age i have virtually fulfilled my dreams ,now just to meet Doris Day.I missed her when I got to Carmel.They do not make movie stars like Bill and Doris anymore.It was worth my long trip from Australia. I taught Film Studies for 20 years and I would single out Sunset Boulevard as a film that only showed Holdens talent but also provided a useful window onto Hollywoods history. Holden had excellent genes. I just read the book 'Audrey and Bill' a romantic Biography of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies after brain aneurysm, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, Wayne Shorter, influential jazz saxophonist and composer, dies at 89, Linda Kasabian, Charles Manson follower who helped send him to prison, dies at 73, Search Obituaries & Guest Books on Legacy.com, Honor a loved one, place an obituary notice, Burny Mattinson, animator who was Disneys longest-serving employee, dies at 87, Albie Pearson, an original Angels player known as the Littlest Angel, dies at 88, Walter Mirisch, former motion picture academy president and legendary producer, dies at 101, Paul Berg, scientific firebrand who pioneered genetic engineering, dies, Barbara Bosson, Emmy-nominated actor known for Hill Street Blues role, dies at 83, Leiji Matsumoto, creator of classic space opera manga and anime, dies at 85. February 19, 2023, 6:22 am, by I happen to believe that this is not the end of the story. Life did not elude you; yours was a life full of good works to be celebrated. Follow, Classic Movie Reviews and world-famous short summaries All right, Mr. DeMille, Im ready for my close-up. I recently watched in an interview on TCM and to this day she speaks highly of his acting, and his strengths as a good and loving man and partner. She wanted to marry him and have kids but he was already married and couldn't have any more kids. Even so, he quietly emoted powerful sensuality, desire and confidence in the way he held and looked at Novak. I didn't appreciate them then like I should have. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. Apparently they had discussed the subject on many previous occasions and he was very much aware of how important becoming a mother was to her. Simple theme. On Monday, November 16, 1981, the apartment buildings manager Bill Martin decided to investigate Holdens absence and let himself into his apartment via a passkey. He was such a handsome man but, according to that book, his life was far from happy. If you think a book written by someone who never knew the man will give you answers, I need to talk to you about a bridge I have available for purchase. During World War II, Holden served in the Army Air Corps where he acted in training films. COPYRIGHT 2020 By TheLifeandTimesofHollywood.com, Stories From The Life and Times of Hollywood. You should know your facts before you spout your conclusion! But she ended up spilling the beans on one of the most embarrassing chapters of her life instead. We're currently offline. Joyce Jameson was one of the original actresses who perfected the "dumb blonde" persona in films like the Oscar-winning The Apartment and Good Neighbor Sam. He didn't have to act. Thanks for a lifetime filled with magical memories of life as it was and could be.. One of my late Mom's favorite actors. The coroner, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, said, ''The death was caused by an accidental fall involving tripping over or slipping on a throw rug, then falling into the sharp edge of a bedside table.'' Bill Holden was great with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly! March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. Picnic, The moon is blue, Golden boy, Breezy, The world of Suzie Wong, Love is a many splendored thing, Born Yesterday (my favorite so far), Escape from Fort Bravo, Streets of Loredo, The country Girl and Sabrina. I AGREE WITH ALL THE GOOD COMMENTS ABOUT WILLIAM HOLDEN. I always loved Bill Holden in every picture he was in. This also probably fueled his drinking. His last film appearance was in Blake Edwards' "S.O.B." Thanks for your help! RIP Bill, you are so missed. Later that same day, she leaped to her death from her fifth-floor apartment in Pittsburgh. His death competes for my preference with the death of Bat Masterson. From the Archives: Gloria Swanson, Queen of Movies Golden Years, Dies, From the Archives: Dorothy Chandler, Cultural Leader, Dies, From the Archives: Audrey Hepburn, Actress and Humanitarian, Dies, Ernest Borgnine dies at 95; won Oscar for Marty, showed comic side in sitcom, From the Archives: Ella Fitzgerald, Jazzs First Lady of Song, Dies. Add to your scrapbook. Drinking and his smooth nature left a great legacy. He was so good. We have set your language to He left a legacy of thoughtful work worth seeing and the animal refuge in Africa. Although I am one of William Holden's biggest fans, I can completely empathize with her about the trust factor. Symbol of Normality. September 14, 2021, 5:02 am, by He tried other roles to avoid forecasting and was somewhat successful. Such a shame he died like he did. He was one of the finest actors of his time. The OceanAire Penthouse is now available for $10.8 million. Tomorrow, April 17, 2015 is his birthday and TCM is showing a bunch of his movies, starting in the morning. After her role on that classic sitcom ended, Jan became more interested in being a mother than being an actress. I can watch Picnic a 1000 times and still enjoy his role along with his Kim Novak's, outside of the epics, there is no other film as detailed as Picnic, it had everything. Have lived all over, including Africa, and love "African Queen", but the best is "Casablanca" where the ending holds such promise as they both stroll off into the swirling mist and a new beginning - well, that's my plan!! I think he was already a well practised alcoholic by then.