His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located at 1651 Vine Street. He was out doors a lot and no one used sun screen then. Holden called Santa Monica, California his home in 1981. Holden actually served during World War II, although he never saw action. Watched the bridge on the river kwai last night and enjoyed Holdens performance again. Managed to convince the executive to rethink his decision. Death 12 Nov 1981 (aged 63) Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Several people telephoned, the majority were greeted by the answering machine. There was one Elvis and only one William Holden. Loved the movie Breezy! To get out of the dance scene, Bill demanded stunt pay and to his surprise, Columbia wrote him a check for $8,000. He followed that film up with a screen version of the movie of Our Town. Few people recall that today. which was released in 1981. According to friends he was preparing to act in That Championship Season, a movie version of the Broadway play. Finally, in the late '50s he negotiated a ground-breaking contract with Columbia to star in The Bridge on the River Kwai, allowing him to become a part-owner in the film. we all have our own sickness.it just developes and all of a sudden we realize we are not what we could or should have been when something is missing either love or too much memory regret,or disappointment we seem to fail as gods creature.bill was a great guy,looks,talent,he had it all,and died a meaningless life.63,im 87,what happens to me is reasonable,but not at age 63,alone,drinking,he wasnt drunk he has ti=oo much exoerience drinking to be drunk,he just got to the point where he did not give a shit, Hi Gene, That was the point of my title. In that sexy dance scene, the lights + camera angle show how bloated William Holden's face was, which is typical of people who drink too much. In 1969, Holden made a comeback when he starred in director Sam Peckinpahs graphically violent Western The Wild Bunch, winning much acclaim. If you want to see a gripper, check him out in "Union Station" of 1950. You find his whole life story where he was born, how he got started in acting, his loves (yes there were quite a lot) and, of course, always the drinking. He always looked about 10 years older than he was, even in the late 1940's/early 50's. God bless you, Mr. Holden. He was in a car accident wherein a person was killed. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. As good today as then. Viewed by fans as the boy-next-door, this 20-year old, handsome young actor with striking features and a sensual voice had an image that earned Holden entry into an elite group of promising young actors known as the Golden Circle a group aggressively promoted by the studio that also included Susan Hayward and Robert Preston. He was a chronic alcoholic so I'm afraid you are incorrect as he drank very heavily right through his life. Popular, by Holden and Ernest Borgnine are sitting by a campfire, passing the bottle, said Lewis. he looked terrible, he had aged a lot. By Oyin Balogun. He also earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A lot has been said here about William Holden. Drinking by itself will not cause premature aging. What the hell more did he need from life that booze could only give him? He was a serial adulterer and not a devoted family man. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. We both had a crush on him. The OceanAire Penthouse is now available for $10.8 million. I think that was his first movie and she helped him get the part and with his portrayal. Wow he did age badly! Many of these people didn't have connections and nepotism to get their start. I love Daniel Day Lewisand Christian Bale, but they still don't hold a candle to William Holden. ''That level means he was heavily intoxicated,'' Mr. Wilson said. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Two sons with his wife Ardis and an earlier daughter at a young age with an older actress. https://classicmovierev.com/the-warriors-1979/. I've long admired how William Holden died. I agree. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by He followed these roles up by playing a cynical military sergeant in the Oscar-winning 1953 film Stalag 17. Being born on 17 April 1918, William Holden was 63 years old at the time of his death. Watched Stalag 17 with my wife and two teenage sons. You cannot ignore his acting, and he turned in so many brilliant performances consistently film after film. Written by a real loser. Santa Monica police said Holden was discovered on the floor of his bedroom by his apartment manager and that he may have been dead several days. Always one of the saddest ends for a great classic film star. Living in Pasadena, Holden was spotted by a talent scout from Paramount Pictures in 1937 while playing the part of an 80-year-old man. NICE! He was insecure all his life, that was one of the reasons he started drinking at a real early age. They want to be alone to do their thing.we all wished we'd stepped in. Once he took that first sip, it was off to the races, and eventually, this affliction started to take a toll on his personal and professional life. I wish there was someone besides him at the end but he is irreplacable Love you William Holden ~ Kiran. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. He invested in hotels in Africa, where he said he was happiest. Facts Verse Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Lewis once interviewed Sam Peckinpah, director of The Wild Bunch a movie about a bunch of misfits in the West at the beginning of the 20th Century who have outlived their time. His doc told him to quit drinking alcohol and coffee, no more advil and no more smoking. William Holden was a very underrated actor who was hindered by conflicted and jaded hero roles in Stalig 17 and the two bridge movies (Toko-To and Kwai). Born the same year as her. Who gives a fuck if he drank the world. BTW: his brother was a fighter pilot in WW2, lost in battle. 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. This comment has been removed by the author. I always loved Bill Holden in every picture he was in. A nostalgic journey to the past to relive the golden days of entertainment! There is even a picture of them in the Reagan Library. In this film you can really see Holden's chops as a consumate performer. Please take the time to investigate his other occupation, longtime CIA operative. He was enormously talented. From Findadeath.com: In November of 1981, Holden was living in Santa Monica, California, on Ocean Avenue. The coroner said there was a ''deep cut'' on Holden's forehead, which was followed by ''massive bleeding,'' the actual cause of death. I just turned 50 and I have been in show business my whole life too but in the Live Entertainment field. To use this feature, use a newer browser. This may well have been the last small film he was stuck in, and had it not been for his acting prowess, the film would likely not even have been released. I fell in love with him when many years later I watched The world of Suzie Wong. Try again later. Many people who ridicule his drinking would sell their mothers ass for a buck. I'm wrong. NOTHING LIKE HAVING A DRINK IN YOUR LATE 80S. Anyone can read what you share. Vodka Martini in Heaven. He was handsome but not in a classic matinee-idol style; he was the decent average man, only a bit better than average. He was one of the finest actors of his time. What destroyed his looks was relentless baking in the sun and cigarettes. I have been reading any books and articles I can get on Bill Holden and almost have the feeling that when he slipped and fell he did not want to call for help. Helped set up the William Holden Wildlife Foundation and Educational Center in Kenya. Why does fame and wealth destroy so many people? And he was one of the best, he was one of the best. His permanent home was in Palm Springs but he maintained an apartment in Santa Monica. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Peckinpah told Lewis of Holdens role in a key scene. William Holden; his death was NO accident. But I have no excuse for what he did to himself off screen. William Holden is my favorite actor. ''For me, acting is not an all-consuming thing, except for the moment when I am actually doing it. He said in 1971 that he had always resented the ''ground rules of 30 years ago, when you did anything to get your name in the paper with Hedda Hopper or Louella Parsons.''. Oak Island is a privately owned island that sits off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. For the diehard William Holden fans, you will know this. Many of us leave behind loved ones but when you think clearly about it..dying is what we all do alone. Even his neighbors reported only ever receiving the occasional head nod from the elusive actor. If you write screenplays that are Westerns, period pieces, serious drama--you will never get hired. Many have had tons of plastic surgery and still look horrible. haha. You are well loved still not only by the many who knew you personally, but also generations of devotees. As the best man at Ronald Reagan's wedding, his star power never dimmed. His fellow prisoners dislike him because he is a hustler looking out for himself, but he plays a crucial role in the prison camp escape at the end. It explains his illogical self destructive actions. O'Fallon, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Join Facts Verse to learn more about the Inside William Holden Frightening Final Moments. With the right direction and material, Bill Holden was as good anactor as any at the time. Get the day's top news with our Today's Headlines newsletter, sent every weekday morning. I was devastated when he passed away and especially the way it happened. Actor. While intoxicated in his apartment, Holden slipped on a rug and hit his head on a bedside tablebut that wasn't the most disturbing part. In 1955 I was 14 and involved with my first girlfriend. I met William Holden at Gaddis restaurant in Hong Kong late 1956 or early 57. I agree with those who refer to his looks, in the film Towering Inferno, he played the buildings architect a role that the studio tried to get Steve McQueen to take. He did the best he could and to me there will never be another to compare to william Holden. By the 1960s, Holdens drinking had already started to detrimentally affect his physical appearance. William Holden, original name William Franklin Beedle, Jr., (born April 17, 1918, O'Fallon, Illinois, U.S.found dead November 16, 1981, Santa Monica, California), American film star who perfected the role of the cynic who acts heroically in spite of his scorn or pessimism. Mr. Holden, 63 years old, was found dead at the apartment Monday morning by the building manager. His last film appearance was in Blake Edwards' "S.O.B." His disappearing acts became more and more frequent towards the end of his life. Mr. Holden was for many years a sort of grownup boy-next-door type, but his acting developed a fine cynical edge in such films as ''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' and ''Sunset Boulevard'' as well as ''Stalag 17.'' Drinking might age one's innards, but Errol Flynn looked great when his autopsy showed internal organs that were anything but Oh, stop it. He was not heard from much in the 1960s, when he lived in Switzerland and made several undistinguished films. Stalag is my favorite but have liked them all. Lets talk about it, because I am always looking for bright and funny guests. at the time of his death? Does he hold her firmly and bring her close to him, put her hand on his chest and lay his cheek against hers or does he keep her at arms length? I always thought Bill Holden was a bell-weather actor. Some of his mothers ancestors found their way to the States in the 17th century. Holdens doctor arrived on the scene and speculated that he might have started vomiting up blood and potentially lacerated the lower portion of his esophagus. You are correct Tracy Jo! Ahead of his time in trying to save animals. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The very prospect of calling an ambulance and attracting all that unwanted public attention would have been a nightmare to someone like him. A cut on his forehead caused him to bleed to death. Since then we have been looking for and watching every Holden movie we can rent or buy. People comment on his drinking but he was professional in his job and adored by Ms. Holden holds Novak gently yet firmly. Unfortunately, he was also known for his severe alcoholism. Its pretty safe to say that his heavy drinking is what led to his accidental injury. Bless her. Thats why it took so long for someone to find him. ''Even though the alcohol level rises when a body decomposes - and this body was badly decomposed - that level is far above the legal limit of .10.''. Regardless of his problems, he was human, just like the rest of us, and he portrayed a warmth seldom seen on film. Grover Lewis, a former journalist who is writing a novel about early Hollywood said, Holden didnt get the recognition of stars like Gary Cooper, but you look at the movies he made and you realize that several, especially Sunset Boulevard and The Wild Bunch, were among the best ever made.. Oh though, how I would have readily given away my first born for just ONE night with Bill Holden. William Holden began working in Hollywood as a piece of beefcake. Add to that a life-long cigarette habit and you have the lizard appearance he had late in life. His role in ''Network '' in 1976 won him a third. The Wild Bunch is my favorite, followed by Stalag 17 and The Bridges at Toko-Ri. I would guess its probable and plausible because he was not only thought to be a CIA asset as he travelled the Earth constantly but he also was in an officer in the Screen Actors Guild while Reagan served as President of that Union and maybe he knew something that the powers-that-be didnt want to chance getting out. After his death, Powers set up the William Holden Wildlife Foundation at Holdens Mount Kenya Game Ranch. Told everyone at work about it and one bought it also. Can't watch it anymore - the ending is too sad. Examples of his great work. Stalag 17? Facts Verse Holden had dictated in his will that the Neptune Society cremate him and scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. He never fails to deliver. Breezy was a bit cheezy (tee hee) but I don't think any other older actor could have pulled off the role of Frank Harmon the way he did. William Holden passed away in 1981 at the age of 63. He was still functioning and still remembering his lines and still getting work as an actor. His height was 1.8 m tall and weighed 89 kg. He has that charm, that authenticity, which so few actors have, where they can play whatever the part is called for: Cary Grant, Robert Mitchum, some of Bogart's films, Bing Crosby in several earlier roles, as well as some of the later actors closer to my generation: Jeff Bridges, Paul Newman, Michael Douglas in some earlier films, Richard Gere, and a few others can play the soldier, the hero, the crusader, the reporter, the villain, the jaded coworkerall of them so convincingly. Bill Holden will always have a special corner of my heart so much so, that I look forward to seeing him on the other side. So true. Nobody takes away from William Holden, the popular, talented and extraordinary actor that he was, your instead in your mediocre life you will never do or you will be nobody, I do not know how you dare to speak of someone who was excellent in what he did, and in the rest look in a mirror that you are not perfect. Director: Billy Wilder | Stars: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson Votes: 224,388 2. In fact the reason I remain a devoted fan despite all his failings - as a father and as a husband - is because people with manic depression do not intend to hurt those they love, but of course it is inevitable that they do hurt them while attending to the constant demands of their own inner turmoil. The police said he had apparently died of natural causes and had been dead for possibly two or three days. He could not have children with Audrey Hepburn because he had a vasectomy after his last son was born in the mid 40s. And he was forever in Stanwycks debt for believing in him enough to pull him through that picture. We danced to that song in Picnic and then I saw the movie with Holden and Novak and it amplified those same feelings for the first time in my life. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. To soothe his anxiety, he announced he wasnt going to do the dance sober and he didnt. The police said he had apparently died of natural causes and had been dead for possibly two or three days. If he had so much guilt, he should have done what JFK did and left the cushy job and made certain he got into action. From the report: All the lights were off, except for the television, so they used flashlights to get around. It is so sad to read of the passing of these wonderful actors and actresses of the Golden Age. Examination revealed an apparent laceration on his forehead approximately 3 inches in length. Click on Kaya Morgan to return to author's bio page and other stories. He owned the films when he walked on screen! I recommend it. Easy to tell the guy worked out/lifted wieghts. The Shorecliff Towers. I happen to believe that this is not the end of the story. The setting is post WW2 Malaysia and the Soviet interference in that area which spawned local terrorist attacks. Hard to believe he would be 96 if he were alive todaywow! It was the William Holden drinking helmet ( a crash helmet with springs attached ) if memory serves that cartoon was in Hustler, f*****g hilarious. You did your best, I am sure. Peckinpah said that the whole crew was crying by the time the scene was over. An avid traveler, he became a managing partner in an animal preserve country club in Kenya where he began to spend much of his time. I am a hobbyist and not a professional film reviewer. He had the kind of face that improved over the years. Symbol of Normality. He was a product of the studios,but his fame has transcended those years. during the making of Suzie Wong. Try again later. Or his children? I can't explain why it makes me so emotional. In the 60s, Holden founded the exclusive Mount Kenya Safari Club with his oil-tycoon billionaire friend Ray Ryan and Swiss financier Carl Hirschmann. He knew he was 10-15 years too old for the part, maybe alcohol eased his self-doubts. love is a many splendored thing - what a feat. Born William Franklin Beedle Jr. in O'Fallon, Illinois and raised in South Pasadena, California, he initially followed in his father's footsteps by studying chemistry at Pasadena Junior College in California before he signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1937. While in high school and junior college, Holden immersed himself in sports. In the new millennium, Jan has turned her interests [] More, Each year over 1.5 million patients become victims of medical malpractice in the US alone. LAUREL AND HARDY FAN GROUP KEEPS LAUGHING, PHOTOS OF THE DAY: DEAN MARTIN AND FRIENDS. Mike Couch. As I said, he was a loser. In the end, though, I guess no one really knows to the full extent why people do the things they do. It was a movie I will cherish the rest of my life. However William Holden died - he was really a great actor. Please enter your email and password to sign in. They starred in the films The Lion (1962) and The 7th Dawn (1964). He never made enough time for his two sons and in adulthood their relationship was estranged. Deputy press secretary Larry Speakes quoted the President as saying: ''I have a great feeling of grief. If you look close esp. Nobody could have played that role and given it the resonance Holden did.. Evidence suggests he was conscious for at least half an hour after the fall. Judging from the condition of his body, investigators estimated that he had been dead for approximately 4 days before being found. With Jeanne Crain, William Holden, Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart. 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. His permanent. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. And Broderick Crawford was a really good actor who could have been even greater had it not been for his alcoholism. The scary part is that he hit it so hard, that it jammed into the wall, and left an indentation of two or three inches into the plaster. Thanks for the memories. Beedle grew up in South Pasadena, California. 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. He did continue to star in a few good films like The Wild Bunch in 1969, The Towering Inferno in 1974, and S.O.B in 1981. Holdens performance in that film received with almost unanimous acclaim. Her last great love of her life was Robert Wolder and, of course, Bill's last love was Stephanie Powers but that relationship by that time was slowly dissolving because of his drinking. The Beedle family made the move to Pasadena, California when William was just three years old. He not only was a "sun-worshipper," outdoors, but according to "The Golden Boy" biography, he had a sunlamp installed over his toilet so he wouldn't miss a minute of exposure. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. We all miss him. He is handsome, talented, intelligent, popular and kind. Thank you for sharing it with us. Holden was the first married actor to enlist in WW2 - into the Army Air Corps. I am a lucky guy as every time I watch Picnic, I get to see my dads lincoln convertable they they used in the movie. By the 1950s, he was starring in hit after hit like: Sunset Boulevard (1950), The Country Girl (1954), Picnic (1955), and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) to name a few. He gained another critical success with "Picnic" in 1955, "The Bridge on the River Kwai" in 1957 and in the Civil War epic "The Horse Soldiers" in 1959. Please try again later. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. There was the sense that this polite, no-nonsense man was capable of heroics if the need arose. I thank him for the legacy he left us. He was great in every movie I've seen him in. '', Eight months after his marriage to the actress Brenda Marshall in 1941, Mr. Holden enlisted in the Army Air Forces; he served more than three years. I think his aging is more from the sun damage than anything else. He was then chosen out of 65 other candidates to play Joe Bonaparte in the Columbia pictures production of Golden Boy. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. I believe Barbara Stanwyck adored himI remember her accepting an award for him and calling him her golden boy. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. He was on a bender at the time. He leads her confidently and brings her close to his body and thats what makes this scene so steamy in 1955; its seductive and very sensual and 62 years later it still arouses the same feelings. It is sad for such a great talent or anyone for that matter to lose their life needlessly. GREAT NEWS! The SPOOK also told me this: "I liked Bill, but he drank too much, and talked too much. We were close friends for many years. by Kaya Morgan. And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. Long gone, but never forgotten. . The combination led to a decline in his interest in his work and the end of his thirty-year marriage. Masterson - gunfighter, gambler, and . Many of the characters he played were very easy to fall in love with. The studios are aiming for the audience of teens or folks under 25. No the man I knew could lose both arms and still try to kick you to death. William Holden is my favorite actor. The classic "boy next door" whom everyone loves, and gets along with. On April 17, 1918, William Franklin Beedle Jr of OFallon, Illinois came into the world. He also had the habit of disappearing for many days, without notice. He constantly placed his own need for instant gratification before the needs of his loved ones - right throughout his life. Very good flick. Try again later. I very rarely go to a movie now a days.I used to go every week.There is too much foul language and violence today and the crude use of words turns me right off a movie.The only two actors I like from today`s actors are Colin Firth and Greg Kinnear ,the rest leave me cold.I recently saw "Scully",a great movie with Tom Hanks and Bridget Jones baby, a fun film but also had language that did not need to be said.Luckily i have a lot of videos and DVD`s so watch the great old movies of yesteryear.I have all of William Holden`s and also a book on his films.As i stated in September of 2015 it was a real thrill to visit Paramount Studios and feel where Bill Holden had been and my dream is to get back there one day.Miracles do happen sometimes. THE SYNOPSIS. Well, now it is one of my favorites. Happy Birthday today William!!! This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. He used a flashlight to navigate the apartment. June 20, 2021, 9:06 am, by In other words, live enough time and do different things without wrecking one's life for a while and different patterns for living are learned and one looks back and sees there was nothing there for them but terrible grief and unhappiness. I heard that both of them fell in love in "Sabrina" & wanted to get married but Holden honestly told her he could not have children so she married someone else, actually married like 3 times and had one son. Sometimes I wonder what his life would have been like if Audrey Hepburn was apathetic about having children. Picnic, River Quai, Sunset Blvd, and the Wild Bunch!!!! Even when he was in his 40's he had a great body. Are you ready to be a guest on the show? The show followed widowed aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas and his three sons. Hassan I remember reading an interview in which Tarantino said one of his favorite films was "The Wild Bunch." My IMDB is under Mystic Marlow. According to a report put out by the chief medical examiner, Holden appeared to have tripped on a throw rug before hitting his head sharply on the nightstand. He most recently appeared in S.O.B., a movie poking fun at Hollywood that was released earlier this year. He was just another drunk bum. Learn more about managing a memorial . Holden died in 81 just shortly after the Reagan Administration started their reign. Having starred in such television programs as VEGA$ and Spenser: For Hire.

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