William Holden

William Holden - Film & Theater Personalities, Family and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › AmericanWilliam HoldenApril 17, 1918569 views

0 based on 0 rates
William Holden Biography Stories 

William Holden's Personal Details

William Holden was a famous American actor

InformationDetail
BirthdayApril 17, 1918
Died onNovember 12, 1981
NationalityAmerican
FamousFilm & Theater Personalities, Actors
SpousesBrenda Marshall, Stefanie Powers
SiblingsRichard P. Beedle, Robert Westfield Beedle
Known asWilliam Franklin Beedle Jr.
ChildrensArlene Holden, Peter Westfield Holden, Scott Porter Holden, Virginia Holden
Universities
  • Pasadena City College
  • South Pasadena High School
Cause of death
  • Alcoholism
Birth PlaceO'Fallon, Illinois, U.S.
ReligionMethodist
Height180
GenderMale
FatherWilliam Franklin Beedle Sr.
MotherMary Blanche Ball
Sun SignAries
Born inO'Fallon, Illinois, U.S.
Famous asActor
Died at Age63

// Famous Film & Theater Personalities

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

William Holden's photo

Who is William Holden?

William Franklin Beedle, Jr., more commonly known as William Holden, was an American actor who became famous for his most memorable role in ‘Stalag 17’ in 1953 which helped him get the Academy Award for the ‘Best Actor. He also won the ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ for bring the most ‘Outstanding Lead Actor’ in the television film ‘The Blue Knight’ in 1973. He became very popular as an actor during 1950 to 1970 and acted in many blockbuster films during that time such as ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’, ‘The Wild Bunch’, ‘The Towering Inferno’, ‘Sabrina’ and ‘Network’. He became one of the ‘Top 10 Stars of the Year’ on six occasions and his name was included in the list of ‘25 Greatest Male Stars’ in Hollywood brought out by the ‘American Film Institute’. He had the nickname of ‘Golden Boy’ from his first film and was also sometimes called Golden Holden. He spent a lot of time travelling to Africa where he ran the ‘Mount Kenya Safari Club’ with a partner and Switzerland. He was chosen as the sixty-third among the ‘100 sexiest stars’ in the history of films. He was the best man at the wedding of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

// Famous Actors

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore is a model turned actor best known for his role in the television series ‘The Young and the Restless’. This biography of Shemar Moore provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Childhood & Early Life

William Holden was born William Franklin Beedle, Jr. on April 17, 1918 in O’Fallon, Illinois, USA to William Franklin Beedle, Sr. who worked as an industrial chemist. His mother Mary Blanche Ball was a schoolteacher.

His had two younger brothers named Robert and Richard.

His family was quite wealthy and moved from O’Fallon to South Pasadena when he was three years old.

He did his schooling from the ‘South Pasadena High School’.

After completing high school he enrolled at the ‘Pasadena Junior College’ to study chemistry where he got involved in acting in different plays.

Career

William Holden’s acting career started with the film ‘Golden Boy’ in 1939 when he was still unknown as an actor.

His next film was ‘Invisible Stripes’ by Warner Bros. in 1940 and ‘Our Town’ the same year

He joined the US Army Air Forces in the Second World War as a Second Lieutenant.

His popularity as an actor increased with the film ‘Sunset Boulevard’ in 1950 which helped him earn his first Oscar nomination as ‘Best Actor’.

In 1950 he acted in the comedy ‘Born Yesterday’.

In 1953 he played the lead role in ‘Stalag 17’ for which he received the ‘Academy Award for Best Actor’.

He also acted in a couple of comedies such as ‘The Moon is Blue’ and ‘Forever Female’ in 1953.

He acted in the films ‘Executive Suit’, ‘Country Girl’ and ‘The Bridges at Toko-Ri’ in 1954.

In 1954 he starred in ‘Sabrina’ and got romantically involved with Audrey Hepburn during the shooting.

In 1955 he starred in ‘Picnic’ and ‘Love Is a Many-Splendoured Thing’.

He appeared as a guest star in ‘I Love Lucy’ in 1955.

His next appearance was in the world famous movie ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ in 1957.

He starred in the movie ‘The Key’ in 1958 and in the movie ‘The Horse Soldiers’ in 1959.

In 1959 he had to move to Switzerland due to some tax issues and returned to the US only in 1967.

During the period 1960 to 1970 he became an alcoholic and his films began to lose their appeal.

He paired with Audrey Hepburn in another film ‘Paris When It Sizzles’ in 1964.

He made a comeback in 1969 with the film ‘The Wild Bunch’ and also starred in ‘L’Arbre de Noel’ which was released as ‘The Christmas Tree’ in the US and as a home video named ‘When Wolves Cry’.

He starred in the film ‘Breezy’ in 1973 which became a box-office flop.

In 1974 he appeared in the television film ‘Blue Knight’ as a tough street cop.

He acted in another famous film ‘The Towering Inferno’ in 1974 which was a smash hit at the box-office and earned Holden huge money.

In 1976 he starred in the film ‘Network’ which received huge acclaim from all spheres and got him another Oscar nomination.

He starred in the film ‘The Earthling’ in 1980 with the Australian outback as the backdrop of the film.

During the end of his career he acted in ‘When Time Ran Out” which was not as successful as his last role in ‘S. O. B.’ for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe award.

In 1981 he was offered a role in “That Championship Season’ but became depressed and started drinking more heavily as the film’s production could not start before 1982.

Awards & Achievements

William Holden won the ‘Academy Award for Best Actor’ in 1953 for his role in ‘Stalag 17’.

He was honored with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ and a star on the ‘St. Louis Walk of Fame’.

He has been immortalized in the song ‘Floating’ sung by the Canadian band ‘Blue Rodeo’

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Brenda Marshall on July 12, 1941 and divorced her in 1971. He had two sons, Peter and Scott from this marriage. He also adopted Virginia who was Brenda Marshall’s daughter from an earlier marriage.

He has a daughter Arlene with actress Eva May Hoffman who was brought up by her mother.

William Holden died on November 12, 1981 in Santa Monica, California, USA, of a serious head injury due to a fall at his home.

Trivia

William Holden was an animal lover and animal rights activist. He bought a huge area of land in Africa to give refuge to animals. He preached against poaching and illegal animal trade.

// Famous American peoples

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim

Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

William Holden's awards

YearNameAward

Academy Awards(Oscars)

1954Best Actor in a Leading RoleStalag 17 (1953)

Primetime Emmy Awards

1974Best Lead Actor in a Limited SeriesThe Blue Knight (1973)

William Holden biography timelines

  • // 17th Apr 1918
    William Holden was born William Franklin Beedle, Jr. on April 17, 1918 in O’Fallon, Illinois, USA to William Franklin Beedle, Sr. who worked as an industrial chemist. His mother Mary Blanche Ball was a schoolteacher.
  • // 1939
    William Holden’s acting career started with the film ‘Golden Boy’ in 1939 when he was still unknown as an actor.
  • // 1940
    His next film was ‘Invisible Stripes’ by Warner Bros. in 1940 and ‘Our Town’ the same year
  • // 12th Jul 1941 To 1971
    He married Brenda Marshall on July 12, 1941 and divorced her in 1971. He had two sons, Peter and Scott from this marriage. He also adopted Virginia who was Brenda Marshall’s daughter from an earlier marriage.
  • // 1950
    His popularity as an actor increased with the film ‘Sunset Boulevard’ in 1950 which helped him earn his first Oscar nomination as ‘Best Actor’.
  • // 1950
    In 1950 he acted in the comedy ‘Born Yesterday’.
  • // 1953
    In 1953 he played the lead role in ‘Stalag 17’ for which he received the ‘Academy Award for Best Actor’.
  • // 1953
    He also acted in a couple of comedies such as ‘The Moon is Blue’ and ‘Forever Female’ in 1953.
  • // 1953
    William Holden won the ‘Academy Award for Best Actor’ in 1953 for his role in ‘Stalag 17’.
  • // 1954
    He acted in the films ‘Executive Suit’, ‘Country Girl’ and ‘The Bridges at Toko-Ri’ in 1954.
  • // 1954
    In 1954 he starred in ‘Sabrina’ and got romantically involved with Audrey Hepburn during the shooting.
  • // 1955
    In 1955 he starred in ‘Picnic’ and ‘Love Is a Many-Splendoured Thing’.
  • // 1955
    He appeared as a guest star in ‘I Love Lucy’ in 1955.
  • // 1957
    His next appearance was in the world famous movie ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ in 1957.
  • // 1958 To 1959
    He starred in the movie ‘The Key’ in 1958 and in the movie ‘The Horse Soldiers’ in 1959.
  • // 1959 To 1967
    In 1959 he had to move to Switzerland due to some tax issues and returned to the US only in 1967.
  • // 1960 To 1970
    During the period 1960 to 1970 he became an alcoholic and his films began to lose their appeal.
  • // 1964
    He paired with Audrey Hepburn in another film ‘Paris When It Sizzles’ in 1964.
  • // 1969
    He made a comeback in 1969 with the film ‘The Wild Bunch’ and also starred in ‘L’Arbre de Noel’ which was released as ‘The Christmas Tree’ in the US and as a home video named ‘When Wolves Cry’.
  • // 1973
    He starred in the film ‘Breezy’ in 1973 which became a box-office flop.
  • // 1974
    In 1974 he appeared in the television film ‘Blue Knight’ as a tough street cop.
  • // 1974
    He acted in another famous film ‘The Towering Inferno’ in 1974 which was a smash hit at the box-office and earned Holden huge money.
  • // 1976
    In 1976 he starred in the film ‘Network’ which received huge acclaim from all spheres and got him another Oscar nomination.
  • // 1980
    He starred in the film ‘The Earthling’ in 1980 with the Australian outback as the backdrop of the film.
  • // 1981 To 1982
    In 1981 he was offered a role in “That Championship Season’ but became depressed and started drinking more heavily as the film’s production could not start before 1982.
  • // 12th Nov 1981
    William Holden died on November 12, 1981 in Santa Monica, California, USA, of a serious head injury due to a fall at his home.

// Famous Aries Celebrities peoples

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore is a model turned actor best known for his role in the television series ‘The Young and the Restless’. This biography of Shemar Moore provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Vasily Zaytsev

Vasily Zaytsev

Vasily Zatysev was a Russian sniper who served during the World War II. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Ivey Meeks

Ivey Meeks

Ivey Meeks is an American YouTube star and model. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, boyfriends and fun facts.

Tobi Lerone

Tobi Lerone

Check out all that you wanted to know about Tobi Lerone, the famous YouTube Personality and gamer; his birthday, his family and personal life, his girlfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Simone Signoret

Simone Signoret

Simone Signoret was a French actress who became the first French person to win an Academy Award. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and other facts related to her life.

William Holden's FAQ

  • What is William Holden birthday?

    William Holden was born at 1918-04-17

  • When was William Holden died?

    William Holden was died at 1981-11-12

  • Where was William Holden died?

    William Holden was died in Santa Monica

  • Which age was William Holden died?

    William Holden was died at age 63

  • Where is William Holden's birth place?

    William Holden was born in O'Fallon, Illinois, U.S.

  • What is William Holden nationalities?

    William Holden's nationalities is American

  • Who is William Holden spouses?

    William Holden's spouses is Brenda Marshall, Stefanie Powers

  • Who is William Holden siblings?

    William Holden's siblings is Richard P. Beedle, Robert Westfield Beedle

  • Who is William Holden childrens?

    William Holden's childrens is Arlene Holden, Peter Westfield Holden, Scott Porter Holden, Virginia Holden

  • What was William Holden universities?

    William Holden studied at Pasadena City College, South Pasadena High School

  • What is William Holden's cause of dead?

    William Holden dead because of Alcoholism

  • What is William Holden's religion?

    William Holden's religion is Methodist

  • How tall is William Holden?

    William Holden's height is 180

  • Who is William Holden's father?

    William Holden's father is William Franklin Beedle Sr.

  • Who is William Holden's mother?

    William Holden's mother is Mary Blanche Ball

  • What is William Holden's sun sign?

    William Holden is Aries

  • How famous is William Holden?

    William Holden is famouse as Actor