william holden grandchildrennicole alexander bio. Audrey and Bill: A Romantic Biography of Audrey Hepburn & William Holden can be pre-ordered on Amazon. Zach Edey's Mom Played Basketball but Couldn't Afford a Career in the Sport, Justine Skye's Parents Were Successful but Her Mom Sold Her Valuables for Their Daughter's Career, Is Cybill Shepherd Married? He never hunted again. He adopted his wife's daughter, Virginia, from her first marriage with actor Richard Gaines. Paris When It Sizzles, which came out in 1964, was especially rife with problems caused by Holdens drinking. In 1972, Holden began a nine-year relationship with actress Stefanie Powers and sparked her interest in animal welfare. Not only did Holden have a voice that instantly captured everyones attention, but he learned the scripts for his school plays faster than anyone else. Holden's career took off again in 1950 when Billy Wilder tapped him to play a down-at-heel screenwriter taken in by a faded silent film actress (Gloria Swanson) in Sunset Boulevard. Slowly, Holden gained his confidence back, and it showed; many reviewers noted how Holden gave his character a surprising amount of depth. After his final film Blake Edwards' S.O.B., with Julie Andrews, Holden declined to star in Jason Miller's film That Championship Season.[38]. To put any rumors to bed about her and Holden, Paramount, the studio to which she was signed, decided to stage an evening at Holden's house during which Hepburn would announce her engagement to Ferrer. Later, he recalled, Before I even met her, I had a crush on her, and after I met her, just a day later, I felt as if we were old friends, and I was rather fiercely protective of her. Eventually, Holden got down on one knee and asked Hepburn to marry him, but in a surprise twist, Hepburn refused. Holden died in November 1981 from a head wound that he had sustained while drinking. He could be just as strong and quietly courageous offscreen, too. It also didnt help that Holdens roles were getting increasingly challenging. Holden made his start in radio plays fresh out of college and made his way onto the big screen, where he won a string of accolades that live on as his legacy beyond his tragic death. His mother Mary Blanche Ball was a schoolteacher. From the Archives: Actor William Holden Found Dead at Home From petty paybacks to insane acts of karma, these bitter people somehow found the most ingenious ways. He was recruited by the CIA to be an informant for them while he was traveling in Southeast Asia as they were trying to uncover information on the Cold War. He. According to rumors, Hepburn wanted to have children of her own. [14], Holden made a third film with Wilder, Sabrina (1954), billed beneath Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. The tiny town of OFallon, Illinois welcomed the birth of William Franklin Beedle Jr.known to us as William Holdenon April 17, 1918. Hepburn saw Holden as her 'guardian angel' and a 'red blooded American male'. A second film with Seaton did not do as well, The Proud and Profane (1956), where Holden played the role with a moustache. [46], According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's autopsy report, Holden bled to death in his apartment in Santa Monica, California, on November 12, 1981, after lacerating his forehead from slipping on a rug while intoxicated and hitting a bedside table. In both films, he worked with a beautiful actress named Grace Kelly and soon fell head-over-heels in love with her. Holden set up the meeting and when Hepburn laid eyes on her rival she was 'impressed', Epstein writes. Holden did a sports film at Columbia, Boots Malone (1952), then returned to Paramount for The Turning Point (1952). Making distraction rewarding since 2017. The rest of his career wouldnt go this smoothly, however. In 1931, Holdens family moved to affluent South Pasadena. His acceptance speech at the 26th Academy Awards was one of the shortest in Oscar history: "Thank you thank you. That persons name was Nina Foch, a fellow cast member. When Cohn asked Holden if he could act, Holden answered, Im not sure. Luckily, his endearing honesty and good looks won Cohn over. Holden was 'obsessive' about meeting Hepburn, Epstein writes, and he rightly pegged her as someone who wanted the man to make the first move which he duly did. Holden, who was at this point dependent on alcohol, said, "I really was in love with Audrey, but she wouldn't marry me. His standard breakfast before leaving for the studio in the morning was a glass of vodka mixed with orange juice, she says, noting that he joined AA in 1962 and sought sobriety on and off for the rest of his life. Holden soon got the chance to act in The Dark Past in 1948, but this film required him to really stretch his acting chops. Underneath his pretty face, however, was a man with a troubled life, who constantly struggled with the demons of addiction. At the time, this was one of the best deals ever for an actor to score. Inside was not just her boyfriend who she was madly in love with - his wife was there waiting to meet her too. Shortly after Sabrina completed filming, their affair fizzled out. At home, Virginia, who was adopted by Bill after he married her mother, Brenda Marshall, in 1941, blossomed with his love and support. And so tonight, my golden boy, you got your wish". He was also one of many stars in Feldman's Casino Royale (1967). The latter was shot in Africa and sparked Holden's fascination with the continent that was to last for the rest of his life. I felt like I could confide in him, she says. But before the wedding she faced one final indignity. This was a dream come true for five-year-old Holden, who thrived in the bustling streets of California. He once again starred alongside Capucine, and this time, he didnt bother hiding his affair. 'The others Bill had brought home were beautiful, but not like this; this she was not prepared for. At that point Mel Ferrer re-entered her life. [39], Holden maintained a home in Switzerland and also spent much of his time working for wildlife conservation as a managing partner in an animal preserve in Africa. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. Seeing how Holden was barely hanging on, she began inviting him to her dressing room every morning to give him a pep talk. Epstein writes that, as one would imagine, conversation was somewhat 'forced'. [40] On a trip to Africa, he fell in love with the wildlife and became increasingly concerned with the animal species that were beginning to decrease in population. He woke at six in the morning every day for his lessons, and on most days, he didnt get to sleep until well past midnight. It was not particularly successful. Holden and Marshall had to beg the minister to carry out the ceremony in their tiny hotel room. Jackie is said to reveal her affair with actor William Holden, right, which she did in retaliation for her husband's many flings In the tapes, Jackie allegedly blames President Lyndon Johnson. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. Eventually, he moved his entire family to Switzerland. In a candid interview with Tim Teeman, "Hart to Hart" star Stefanie Powers talks about fame, surviving cancer, her love for William Holden and the mystery of Natalie Wood's death. Virginia Holden Gaines shared some insight into the caring, sensitive man that her father was off-screen. On November 12, 1981, after years of recognition for his successful films and charity work, Holden lost his life in the most heartbreaking way imaginable. Eventually, his acting career led him straight to the girl of his dreams. For it took more than personal charm to bring home the Oscar! Humphrey Bogart was a last minute replacement for Cary Grant (supposedly, Grant rejected the part because he did not want to carry an umbrella onscreen). [33] Also in 1974, Holden starred with Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the critically acclaimed disaster film The Towering Inferno,[34] which became a box-office smash and one of the highest-grossing films of Holden's career. Holden felt guilty; he wanted to put his life on the line, like his brother. He was named one of the "Top 10 Stars of the Year" six times (19541958, 1961), and appeared as 25th on the American Film Institute's list of 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema. During the filming of the movie, his co-star, Lee J. Cobb inadvertently shattered Holdens confidence. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Adopted his stepdaughter, Virginia Holden (Virginia Gaines), from Ardis Ankerson (actress Brenda Marshall)'s first marriage. William Holden - His Life and his Loves - Historian Alan Royle [31] Holden made a Western with Ryan O'Neal and Blake Edwards, Wild Rovers (1971). Madame de Pompadour didn't just share King Louis XV's bed, she also shared his power. During one scene in Sunset Boulevard, Holden needed to kiss his co-star, Gloria Swanson. "[18] Rumors at the time had it that Hepburn wanted a family, but when Holden told her that he had had a vasectomy and having children was impossible, she moved on. Needless to say, Hollywoods golden boy hid many dark secrets beneath his perfect exterior. Holden's daughter knew her father as caring and loving. The third Wilder/Holden collaboration was this adaptation of Samuel Taylor's Sabrina Fair, with Audrey Hepburn as the titular chauffeur's daughter who is sent to Paris to become a lady. She returns to romance with the Larrabee brothers, played by Holden and Humphrey Bogart. Unsurprisingly, Holden fell in love, and when his wife found out, she was angry. Maryborough crash: Three people killed and teenager charged over Simply put, Holden had become incredibly successfula worthy investment. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. She had moved to Los Angeles where she became the toast of the dinner party circuit where media mogul Jules Stein threw a party for her at his mansion, an unheard of honor for a newcomer. Epstein writes how Hepburn's eyes 'searched his face' as he explained that he had undergone a vasectomy some years earlier at his wife's urging. On the Columbia lot is an assistant director and scout named Harold Winston. Holden and Hepburn were reunited on screen in Paris When it Sizzles which was released in 1964 after spending years on the cutting room floor. Stefanie Powers 'Would Have Had a Child' with William Holden Inside [3] He made a sex comedy with David Niven for Otto Preminger, The Moon Is Blue (1953), which was a huge hit, in part due to controversy over its content. At Paramount, he was in a comedy with Ginger Rogers that was not particularly popular, Forever Female (1953). He bled to death from a forehead wound. Also in 1969, Holden starred in director Terence Young's family film L'Arbre de Nol, co-starring Italian actress Virna Lisi and French actor Bourvil, based on the novel of the same name by Michel Bataille. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. A version of how he obtained his stage name "Holden" is based on a statement by George Ross of Billboard: "William Holden, the lad just signed for the coveted lead in Golden Boy, used to be Bill Beadle [sic]. Holden threw himself into the role, but it got him into some major trouble. By 1972, Bill and Brenda had parted and he began dating Hart to Hart actress Stefanie Powers, who wrote about their romance in her 2011 memoir One From the Hart. [22] The golden run at the box office continued with Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), from a bestselling novel, with Jennifer Jones, and Picnic (1955), as a drifter, in an adaptation of the William Inge play with Kim Novak. After taking on two small roles in 1939, Holden was desperate to push his acting career forward. At the end of her acceptance speech, she paid him a personal tribute: "I loved him very much, and I miss him. What happens to Holden at the end of Catcher in the Rye? He spent the next several years concentrating on his other interestsstraightening out his health and reviving his film career. On top of that, he took any excuse he could to avoid being home, leaving his wife and kids behind for long periods of time. For Holden, who usually acted in Westerns and romantic comedies, this was a huge challengeone that he almost couldnt overcome. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. During production, a very tipsy Holden attempted to climb into Audrey Hepburns second-floor dressing room, but lost his grip and fell when he reached her window. His life in OFallon was idyllic, but perhaps a bit boring. (1940) followed by the role of George Gibbs in the film adaptation of Our Town (1940), done for Sol Lesser at United Artists.[7]. Holden began acting out for attentionand some of the stunts he pulled were downright outrageous: He walked along a telephone line that was 12 feet off the ground, and even walked along the railing of Suicide Bridgeon his hands! Audrey Hepburn's and William Holden's love affair revealed in new book With his dad bedridden, Holden became the head of the family. Golden Boy turned Holden into an overnight sensation. Holden's dad, after years of working in a lab that exposed him to a concoction of dangerous chemicals, contracted pneumosilicosis. Hepburn's reaction was one of shock. It was a big hit, as was The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), a Korean War drama with Kelly.[20][21]. Unfortunately for Holden, this plan fell through. He also saw tragedy too and killed another driver with Ferrari in Tuscany, a scandal for which he was given an eight month suspended prison sentence. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Holdens rigorous filming schedule for Golden Boy began. The comments below have not been moderated, By His bloodshot eyes underscored his angst. But it was too late. Holden had another good break when he was cast as Judy Holliday's love interest in the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway hit Born Yesterday (1950). Over his six-decade career, with starring roles in Stalag 17, The Wild Bunch, Picnic and The Bridge on the River Kwai, William Holden became famous for characters who represented the best an American man could be. The guilt of it nearly destroyed him, and it haunted him even after his service ended. At his behest, Holdens wife retired as an actress, making him the sole breadwinner in the family. But even then, Bill had a reputation as a hard drinker. His Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki (founded 1959) was popular with the international jet set. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. He had an apartment where he would go and drink. Holden is remembered for his amazing performances on screen, which won him both an Academy Award and an Emmy Award. He received an eight-month suspended sentence for vehicular manslaughter. Holden grew up surrounded by his close-knit family and grew to be a lively young boy that was constantly on the move. He was the son of a schoolteacher and an industrial chemist from small town Illinois who had only just found fame a few years earlier with his roles in Sunset Boulevard and Stalag 17. When Holden awoke, he had devastating news for his wife. His daughter shared that the glitz and glam were not what Holden was after. Although Holdens family wasnt poor, they didnt have the wealth of their upper-class neighborssomething that set Holden apart from other kids. Now richer and more famous than ever, Holden began taking more and more film roles abroad. As Hollywoods up-and-coming leading man, Holden had his pick of the most beautiful ladies around. Our friendship never waned. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. "[13], His success in Stalag 17 ushered in the peak years of Holden's stardom. He began having an affair with her, but soon, Confidential magazine found out about it and ran an article about their illicit tryst. He stayed at Paramount for The Remarkable Andrew (1942) with Brian Donlevy, then made Meet the Stewarts (1943) at Columbia. It was a very meaningful time for both of us., The couple shared a respect for wildlife and traveled frequently to Africa. Well, not everybody! Although Holden was unable to manage his alcoholism and was known for having extramarital affairs, such as the one he had with Audrey Hepburn while on the set of "Sabrina", he also participated in a lot of good throughout his life. In 1954, Holden appeared in The Country Girl and The Bridges at Toko-Ri. This shouldve been a joyous occasion for all, except for two issues: first, he didnt win, and second, his wife spent the evening making passive-aggressive comments about how Jos Ferrer, who took the award home, deserved the win over Holden. Holden had another hit with The World of Suzie Wong (1960) with Nancy Kwan, which was shot in Hong Kong. Hepburn held her head high, gave out one of her killer smiles and said: 'Oh, I'm so happy to meet you'. 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. How did William Holden Make His Money & Wealth? According to a new book about their affair, Hepburn was a 'wife's worst nightmare' a cultured beauty who was well spoken and had completely entranced her husband. Prince William and Kate in Wales for second day as they pay respects at Suggest an alternative. This time, his female co-star was a French actress named Capucine. He was from a better background than Holden as well and his father was a well known Cuban American surgeon. Hepburn had a son with Ferrer, her first of her two husbands. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. He moved his family to a house by Toluca Lake and forked over $100,000 for the housewell over $1 million in todays money. [50], His death was noted by singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, whose 1987 song "Tom's Diner", about a sequence of events one morning in 1981, included a mention of reading a newspaper article about "an actor who had died while he was drinking". The actor, who died at 63, adopted Gaines when he married her mother, Brenda Marshall, in 1941. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. In the end, the bottle was his Achilles heel. Daniel Bates For Dailymail.com, Hepburn begged Holden to leave his wife and have children with her - but his answer was the, Thirty years after her green eyes made this photograph one of the world's most famous portraits, Afghan refugee's face is seen again at the centre of Pakistani corruption row, Dishing on her past! The adopted daughter of actor William Holden, Virginia married Legan's maternal grandfather, an Iranian-born economics professor. Being outdoors, sleeping under the sky, tracking animals, Stefanie recalls. )[19], He took third billing for The Country Girl (1954) with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly, directed by George Seaton from a play by Clifford Odets. In 1938, Holdens life changed when he caught the eye of Milt Lewis, a talent scout for Paramount. As Holdens acting career took off, he grew more and more wary of Cohns attempts to control his career. No clan is left untouched, and even families that seem happy and normal on. The Murders of Natalie Wood and William Holden Thanks to this, Holden felt ready for another big change, but it led him down a ruinous path. This early and promising start to acting didnt keep Holden out of trouble, though. There was one major problem with this: His wife made five times more than him! When he was three years . Holden was best man at the wedding of his friend Ronald Reagan to actress Nancy Davis in 1952. Arlene Holden is the daughter of William Holden and Eve Farrell. One of Holdens biggest pictures was 1957s The Bridge on the River Kwai. [3] The film was made for Columbia, which negotiated a sharing agreement with Paramount for Holden's services. Cite this record . [48], President Ronald Reagan released a statement: "I have a great feeling of grief. Wilder convinced Holden to read the films version of the script. While in Italy in 1966, Holden was responsible for the death of another driver in a drunk-driving incident near Pisa. You see, Kelly was deeply religious, and Holden, in his own words, refused to let any church dictate what I could do with my life.. Actress Stefanie Powers dishes on her love William Holden Actress Stefanie Powers, best known for starring in the TV show "Hart to Hart," has written a memoir, "One From the Hart," looking. William Holden (born William Franklin Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 - November 12, 1981) was an American actor and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. His body was found four days later. Cohn couldnt afford to fire Holden, thoughand for one important reason. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. William Holden | Biography, Movies, Death, & Facts | Britannica Much to his delight, Marshall accepted, and she was the perfect woman for him. Unfortunately, history repeated itself when Holdens wife, once again, insulted his success, causing Holden to get so angry that he ended up crashing his car on the way home. That same afternoon, his wife dropped by to visit him. With the help of his partners, he created the Mount Kenya Game Ranch and inspired the creation of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation. When Holden realized that he and Crawford shared a similar distaste for Cohn, the two became fast friends. Powers was in a relationship with William Holden. Feeling guilty over this dalliance, Holden began to rely even more on drinking. His family moved to South Pasadena when he was three. At Paramount, he did another Western, Streets of Laredo (1949). He would recall the fixed expression in her eyes; how she stood looking at him like a hurt, bewildered child.'. On the advice of doctors, Holdens dad moved to California, where the warmth and sun would do him good. When filming for The Lion finished, Holden buried his guilt in the worst possible way. Holden was born William Franklin Beedle, Jr., on April 17, 1918, in O'Fallon, Illinois, son of Mary Blanche Beedle (ne Ball), a schoolteacher, and her husband William Franklin Beedle, an industrial chemist. Holden told his wife that their marriage was over. Less popular was Satan Never Sleeps (1961), the last film of Clifton Webb and Leo McCarey; The Counterfeit Traitor (1962), his third film with Seaton; or The Lion (1962), with Trevor Howard and Capucine. Star Perdita Weeks' Bikini Photos, See Your Favorite Celebrity Couples in Swimsuits: Best Beach Photos, Meet Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone's Daughters Vivian and Georgette, Pure Sunshine! My mom never told me how her best friend died. "[3], For his contribution to the film industry, Holden has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1651 Vine Street. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Around this time he also appeared in 21 Hours at Munich (1976). Holden eventually did divorce Ardis and dated French actress Capucine before she ended their relationship due to his long-standing alcohol problem. That boredom suddenly broke when a family emergency changed his life forever. How Audrey Hepburn cried when lover Bill Holden refused to have By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. American actor William Holden circa 1965.| Getty Images. Not only did Holden find Wilders version of Stalag 17 to be much more exciting, but he was especially intrigued by the part he was offered. Bill died on Nov. 12, 1981, bleeding out from a gash to his head he sustained while drinking.
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