Two of my favorites were Alvarez Kelly and Horse Soldiers. He deserves credit for creating his African Reserve to help the wildlife. All right, Mr. DeMille, Im ready for my close-up. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Classic Movie Rev I suppose he got the HK apt. Well, I would have been concerned and checked up on him. WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -President Reagan expressed shock today over the death of Mr. Holden, who was the best man at his wedding to Nancy Davis. Have lived all over, including Africa, and love "African Queen", but the best is "Casablanca" where the ending holds such promise as they both stroll off into the swirling mist and a new beginning - well, that's my plan!! The truth is that while he was a good actor, he also was a miserable drunk. His permanent. 8 blood-soaked tissues were found next to his body and so was a working telephone which he could have used to call for medical help. He was an enigma; men wanted to emulate him and women wanted to copy and paste him into their lives. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Yes, I was about nine or so ~ : ) Anyway, Mr. Holden caught my 'eye'. Says something about him! January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by You did your best, I am sure. Correct as what brought out by Holdens psychologist in the book Golden Boy who related that shortly after meeting with Holden he was visited by government officials regarding what he was discussing with Holden. And it which proved to be the film that landed him on the proverbial map. But in the end he does what has to be done, leading an expedition back to the camp to blow up the bridge. Managed to convince the executive to rethink his decision. July 15, 2021, 5:33 am The SPOOK told me many covert operations were run out of the Mt. I can watch them over and over. The consummate actor, a 'man's man' as they used to sayhe made women swoon & looks at their husbands & shake their heads. 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. I to am a child of the sixties and agree with your well worded assessment, I think with the way things are in the world today makes yearning for movies that reflect simpler, slower, and less stressfull times. It was announced Tuesday that the actor's body would be cremated and his ashes scattered over the Pacific. Hard to believe any director would hire him if it was an uncontrolable problem. I love him. The music and the scene touches me so much, as a man I shed tears every time I view it. It is hard to believe that William Holden has been dead now for 30 years. It is sad for such a great talent or anyone for that matter to lose their life needlessly. 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. He first came onto the scene with his 1939 hit film Golden Boy. Ahead of his time in trying to save animals. 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. His last film appearance was in Blake Edwards' "S.O.B." He was in Hong Kong to meet his wife, and then return to Columbo to finish the film. They really should have been together, neither Bill nor Audrey were happy the rest of their lives. From Findadeath.com: In November of 1981, Holden was living in Santa Monica, California, on Ocean Avenue. No the man I knew could lose both arms and still try to kick you to death. The combination led to a decline in his interest in his work and the end of his thirty-year marriage. Anne - you have no idea what Bill was really like. . Thank you. 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 told police what happened and the studio paid to have it all covered up being it was self defense nobody was charged and the studio kept the truth about Holden out of the press etc. The true measure of a great actor is to see them make middling material shine. He always looked about 10 years older than he was, even in the late 1940's/early 50's. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. He was partial owner of the building at #535. Holdens problematic drinking started negatively affecting his chiseled good looks in the 1960s. I struggle with writing screenplays today, and sadly many of the greatest films in the past would NOT be made today. Although he always maintained residences in California, Holden also had houses in Switzerland and in Kenya. The coroner, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, said, ''The death was caused by an accidental fall involving tripping over or slipping on a throw rug, then falling into the sharp edge of a bedside table.'' "I often marvel how people today think things were much better in the "good old days." Does touching each other spark heat? And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. Anne January 23, 2015 4:30 PMCathy, if you want to find out everything about Bill Holden try to find the book 'Golden Boy' The Untold Story of Bill Holden, by Bob Thomas. He was the best .as Nancy Olsen (young co-star in SUNSET BOULEVARD) stated about him , " He was the perfect movie star !". To me, this is one of his greatest roles and one of the greatest movies of all time. Alcoholism usually trumps having any long lasting happiness. Also sad, for obviously she could do nothing to help him. I just finished watching "The Earthling" one of my favorite Holden movie. You would be thrilled to know that Stef brought your conservation dreams to life by creating the William Holden Wildlife Foundation in your honor - an enormous achievement. He invested much of his earnings from that film into various business ventures including a radio station in Hong Kong. I loved him then, I love him now. Educate to the point where no one can deny .that people who act stupid when drinking or drugging are addicts, and when that education light shines bright enough and continually, denial will not be possible by anyone. Cathy, I hope this helps a little bit to give you an idea what Bill Holden was like. by Kaya Morgan. According to the book he started early to get enough courage to act. However William Holden died - he was really a great actor. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Both very good. That's why I'd rather watch some old film I have never seen instead of watching a new film.William Holden has to be mention in the top five of greatest leading men. Consistent with Jones' original vision, newer technology was employed that was not available in his day, bringing the building up to its present, one-of-a-kind, luxury condominium status. According to the Los Angeles County Coroners autopsy report, Holden was alone and intoxicated in his apartment in Santa Monica, California, on November 12, 1981, when he slipped on a rug, severely lacerated his forehead on a teak bedside table, and bled to death. Since then we have been looking for and watching every Holden movie we can rent or buy. He did a movie when he was 53 'Breezy' and he still looked damn good. In contrast to the floor-to-ceiling glass walls is a magnificent teak and maple flooring with rare Macauba stone streaming throughout, accented by stainless steel, creating a subtle blend of complimentary textures and capturing a feeling of utter tranquility. 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. This adored, leading man starred in some of the most revered classics of all time including Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, Sunset Boulevard, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Casino Royale, The Wild Bunch and The Towering Inferno. The robe was folded back and beneath the body, with the right arm placed through the sleeve, and the left arm wadded up and beneath the body, suggesting that he may have been attempting to dress himself. He was a ok. Booze or not, he was still gorgeous even in his older years. Perhaps that's why I generally stay away from his 70's films. Appearing in films like Picnic in 1955 and The Bridge on the River Kwai in 1957. He had such a natural way of presenting himself, that even in the company of the other co-stars like Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Warren Oates, and Ben Johnson he still appeared to be the one you turned your focus on. During the filming they had to sent him to a clinic to dry out for a week. He was gorgeous and talented. I fell in love with him when many years later I watched The world of Suzie Wong. There is even a picture of them in the Reagan Library. Ava, Hedy, Grace and others. 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. Watching tcm tonight, Stalag 17 was on, William Holden, one of my favorite actors. William Holden (1918 1981) won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1953 for his role in Stalag 17. The Horse Soldiers, Stalag 17, and Picnic are my favourites. Indifferent directing, little known costars, minimal budget how does the actor do under such paltry circumstances? A man and a woman dancing, not just dancing, but slow dancing. Mr. Holden, who was 63 years old, was found by an apartment manager. He was unparalleled and I miss him. William Holden also became a heavy drinker and womanizer, being linked with actresses Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Capucine, Shelley Winters, and Eva May Hoffman among others. January 27, 2023, 6:25 pm, Trending William Holden, the film star who won an Oscar in 1953 for his role in ''Stalag 17'' and who represented the manly, straightforward, romantic figure during a career of more than 40 years, was found dead yesterday in his apartment in Santa Monica, Calif. Mr. Holden, who was 63 years old, was found by an apartment manager. He WAS the good men in his movies! I also watched Golden Boy and Horse Soldiers this weekend. Bill will never die. Miss you,Dottie K. That is so true I just realized Audrey Hepburn and William holden died at the same age 63 and both of their lives were unhappy I think that's saying u fall in love once in a life time is true. The Beedle family made the move to Pasadena, California when William was just three years old. Although Holden was clearly one of Hollywood's most popular leading men in films that were the top money grossers of their day, and was considered the top box office draw in 1956, he also became an unwitting victim of the studio system. 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. Tomorrow, April 17, 2015 is his birthday and TCM is showing a bunch of his movies, starting in the morning. It made his life difficult and unhappy yet he triumphed just the same. Mr. Holden also became a much more private person, refusing in interviews to talk about his politics, his family, or why he lived abroad when he did. '', The actor, whose original name was William Franklin Beedle Jr., was born April 17, 1918, in O'Fallon, Ill. His father was a chemist and his mother a teacher. He would end up having to fight an even tougher battle [] More, What could be more mysterious than an island filled with buried treasure? William Holden was one of my favorite actors and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing was shown the year I graduated from high school. It pains me to see how poorly he aged. I ADORED THE MOVIE. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Maybe because I long to find "my" William Holden. It's unfortunate, but at least his work can still be enjoyed to this day. Powers. WOW! Dawber has married to NCIS star Mark Harmon for more than three [] More, Jan Smithers is a former television actress that is best known for her portrayal of the character Bailey Quarters on the television series WKRP in Cincinnati. Her husband Robert Taylor was handsome too.I loved Holden's rugged good looks and his acting. Where The Great Actor William Holden Died Alone clyde beck 15.4K subscribers 56K views 7 years ago In this fantastic beach setting facing the Pacific Ocean, in this building called the SHORECLIFF. Shelley Winters knew what she wanted and went after it. Stalag is my favorite but have liked them all. You are truly missed Mr. Holden. I my very first crush was William Holden. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Director: Billy Wilder | Stars: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson Votes: 224,388 2. Bill and Stef had been in a relationship for 9 years by this point. Read on for more details about her love life. I totally adore William Holden and have always thought the circumstances of his death were so very sad. William Holden himself lived on the buildings fourth floor at unit number 43. Loose lips sink ships, and it wil alsol get you killed." As to the suggestion that he never found true love, I disagree. He was just so damn believable. The Shorecliff Towers. Totally agree. But nows the time for you to shine! Holden's CIA file is still classified under "sources and methods" high probability it will never be declassified and released. Why does fame and wealth destroy so many people? Saw him the next night at a night club. This seductive dance is the epitome of intimacy for single people in the 1950s and a sign to discerning women that this man can fulfill his masculine responsibilities. His first starring role was in the movie "Golden Boy" (1939). https://classicmovierev.com/the-warriors-1979/. Jeez. He followed these roles up by playing a cynical military sergeant in the Oscar-winning 1953 film Stalag 17. David,Thanks, bought the movie on Amazon and we watched it twice this weekend. It's power is greater than the human will. I think the combo of naturally looking older and the sun is why he appeared to age poorly. In recent years, Mr. Holden's frequent companion was the actress Stefanie Powers. He slammed into the piece of furniture with such force that it was jammed about three to four inches into the plaster wall. The director Billy Wilder said that he was ''the best movie actor of his generation. Perhaps because he was a drinker they thought maybe hed reveal something in an un-guarded moment. Errol Flynn aged horribly and was unrecognizable when he died. Great actor I watched an old Black/White yesterday of his The Key where he was a skipper of a tug in WW11 everyone of his movies excellent, dont get the same today. Are his children as good looking as he was? For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Concerned, he let himself into the actor's apartment and discovered Holden's body. 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. When William Holden was on screen, everyone else fell back in shadow. He burst onto the scene with his role in Golden Boy in 1939. It is so sad that he had the disease of alcoholismit did take a toll on his looks imo and his health too, no doubt. Murdered in Google and came to this sight. 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. He was driving under the influence when he caused the accident. .Bill Holden was the real deal. Add to your scrapbook. William Holden was only 63 years old when he passed away. Lets talk about it, because I am always looking for bright and funny guests. His father William Franklin Beedle St was an industrial chemist and his mother, Mary Blanche Ball was an educator. Although I am a big fan of William Holden's work, I can see in some of the comments that people sometimes confuse the man with the characters he played. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/SubDazeWithJordanTheLionMERCH: http://shop.spreadshirt.com/jordanthelionDONATE: www.patreon.com/jordanthelionPAYPAL DONATI. That's why it took so long for someone to find him. He was a great actor. But instead, he likely died of blood loss within about 15 minutes of his accident. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located at 1651 Vine Street. I also liked his segment on the "I love Lucy" showhe was a gem. Get the day's top news with our Today's Headlines newsletter, sent every weekday morning. But he would have none of it. Mr. Holden worked CIA for many years as a deep-cover operative. Holden was of English descent, and his paternal Great-Grandmother, Rebecca Westfield who was born in England in 1817. God Bless Him for his contribution he made while on the planet and may TCM continue to bring his movies to us for always. He was handsome, but he looked almost too pretty in that movie, said Times movie critic Sheila Benson. But, he was still getting good roles untill he died.Dan. According to the autopsy report, Holden was last known to be alive about one week beforehand, when he spoke to his girlfriend Stephanie Powers on the telephone. The family moved to California when he was very young, and he attended public schools in Monrovia and Pasadena. I truly hope Mr. Holden wasn't sad at the end of his life because all his movies made me happy. Mork, of course, played by the late Robin Williams. '', Indeed, there was a seven-year period in the late 1950's and early 60's when Mr. Holden made no movies in Hollywood; he moved abroad to Switzerland, Hong Kong and Kenya. Total crap. Very good flick. 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. Next, he starred with George Raft and Humphrey Bogart in the Warner Bros. gangster epic Invisible Stripes later the same year. He also had the habit of disappearing for many days, without notice. agree with Gary R One of my favorite was the I Love Lucy show in 1955. I didn't appreciate them then like I should have. BTW: his brother was a fighter pilot in WW2, lost in battle. There isn't a Holden film that I won't watch, but I feel his career went downhill after the 50's, probably due to the booze. I first saw Bill Holden when I was about 9 years old in the movie "Love is a many splendor thing" and I thought he was soooo handsome.