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William Holden
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William Holden's father was an industrial chemist and his mother a teacher. In 1937, while studying chemistry at Pasadena Junior College, he was signed to a film contract by Paramount. His first starring role was as a young man torn between the violin and boxing, "Golden Boy" (1939). From then on he was type-cast as the boy-next-door. After returning from World War II military service, he got two very important roles: Joe Gillis the gigolo in "Sunset Blvd." (1950) the tutor in "Born Yesterday" (1950) followed by his Oscar-winning role as the cynical sergeant in "Stalag 17" (1953) and stayed popular through the '50s, e.g., "Picnic" (1955).
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William Holden is a name unknown to most of the general public these days. A prolific actor working within and outside the Hollywood system for close to 40 years and starring in more than 70 movies, Holden’s mug was plastered across such classic films as A Bridge of the River Kwai, Picnic, Sabrina, and The Wild Bunch. William Holden was the archetypal Hollywood leading man with deep secrets – in league with the likes of Rock Hudson and Montgomery Clift. He was Oscar-nominated twice for Best Actor, in the memorable films Sunset Boulevard and Network, and won the golden boy in 1954 playing an amoral, devious prisoner of war in Billy Wilder’s Stalag 17. None of this had been expected from one of the Hollywood System’s overnight successes -- imagine Luke Perry winning an Academy Award and you'll understand.
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The son of a chemical analyst, American actor William Holden plunged into high school and junior college sports activities as a means of "proving himself" to his demanding father. Nonetheless, Holden's forte would be in what he'd always consider a "sissy" profession: acting. Spotted by a talent scout during a stage production at Pasadena Junior College, Holden was signed by both Paramount and Columbia, who would share his contract for the next two decades. After one bit role, Holden was thrust into the demanding leading part of boxer Joe Bonaparte in Golden Boy (1939). He was so green and nervous that Columbia considered replacing him, but co-star Barbara Stanwyck took it upon herself to coach the young actor and build up his confidence -- a selfless act for which Holden would be grateful until the day he died. After serving as a lieutenant in the Army's special services unit, Holden returned to films, mostly in light, inconsequential roles.
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William Holden and Jeanne Crain star as a young couple living in professor Edmund Gwenn's attic while Holden attends college on the GI Bill. The couple gives the prof. a new lease on life. Very good comedy-drama. Excellent quality.
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During the 1950s and 1960s, William Holden was named one of the Top 10 Stars of the Year six times and won a number of awards for his acting abilities. Today, he is still regarded as one of the most important and influential Hollywood names in the mid-20th century.
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The son of a chemical analyst, American actor William Holden plunged into high school and junior college sports activities as a means of proving himself to his demanding father. Nonetheless, Holden's forte would be in what he'd always consider a sissy profession: acting. Spotted by a talent scout during a stage production at Pasadena Junior College, Holden was signed by both Paramount and Columbia, who would share his contract for the next two decades.
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William Holden