Actor William Holden, known for his versatile performances and charismatic on-screen presence, was one of the most highly regarded entertainers during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He had a prolific career that spanned several decades and left a lasting impact on the film industry. Off-screen, William Holden led a complex life filled with ups and downs. Let’s look at the life and career of this Hollywood legend.
William Holden was born in Illinois on April 17, 1918. His interest in show business can be traced back to his time in college while attending Pasadena Junior College in California. He developed an interest in acting after participating in several of the school’s theatrical productions. His talent and passion for acting caught the attention of a Paramount Pictures talent scout who happened to be in the audience during one of his performances. Holden signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1937 when he was just 19 years old.
At first, William Holden took on small roles in films, often appearing as an uncredited extra. But this allowed him to gain experience in the industry and gradually work his way up to larger roles. Holden’s first credited film role came in 1939 with the movie Prison Farm. He gained recognition for his roles in the 1939 movie Golden Boy and the 1940 movie Our Town. His breakout role came in 1950 when he starred as Joe Gillis in the now-classic film, Sunset Boulevard, directed by Billy Wilder. Holden’s work on this film solidified his place as a leading man and his career flourished after that.
William Holden went on to appear in numerous critically acclaimed films throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include Stalag 17 in 1953, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn in 1954, The Country Girl with Grace Kelly in 1954, The Bridge on the River Kwai in 1957, and The Wild Bunch in 1969. Holden displayed versatility in his performances, seamlessly transitioning from drama to comedy to action.
One of William Holden’s best friends in Hollywood was fellow actor Ronald Reagan. The two pals shared many common interests, including politics, sports, and alcoholic beverages. They had many long conversations over drinks. In 1952, Holden was honored to serve as the best man at the wedding of his good friend Ronald Reagan when he married Nancy Davis. Unlike Reagan, however, Holden was never personally involved in politics, although he supported Reagan.
William Holden was driving drunk in Pisa, Italy in 1966 when he struck another vehicle. The driver of the other car was killed in the accident and Holden was at fault. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter and given an eight-month suspended sentence.
Holden’s first child, a daughter, was born in 1937. The child’s mother was actress Eva May Hoffman with whom Holden had a romantic relationship but did not marry. His first wife was actress Barbara Marshall. The couple wed in 1941 and remained married for three decades, divorcing in 1971. Together, they had two sons, Peter and Scott.
William Holden was romantically linked to the French actress Capucine in the early 1960s, while he was still married to Marshall. Holden and Capucine, who starred together in two films, The Lion in 1962 and The 7th Dawn in 1964, reportedly had a two-year affair but it ended because Capucine would not put up with Holden’s alcoholism.
Following his divorce from Barbara Marshall, William Holden was involved in a nine-year relationship with actress Stephanie Powers. It was because of Powers that Holden further developed his interest in animal welfare. Although his home was in Switzerland, Holden spent most of his time in Africa working as a managing partner at a wildlife conservation preserve. Founded in 1959, William Holden’s Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki was designed to create awareness about the African animal species that were experiencing declining populations. The Safari Club was a popular destination among the Hollywood elite and jetsetters and helped to raise funds for conservation efforts. Upon Holden’s death, Stephanie Powers established the William Holden Wildlife Foundation in Kenya.
William Holden’s long-time alcohol abuse contributed to his death on November 12, 1981. From what forensic experts were able to determine, an intoxicated Holden slipped on a rug in his Santa Monica apartment and struck his head on a nightstand. It is believed that he remained conscious for about thirty minutes before losing consciousness from blood loss. The autopsy report stated that he bled to death. His body lay undiscovered for about four days. As per his will, William Holden did not have a funeral and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.