American actor and Academy Award winner, well known from the time of his debut film, “Golden Boy,” in 1939. He received an Oscar nomination for “Sunset Boulevard,” 1950, and won the Best Actor Oscar for his work in “Stalag 17,” 1953.
Born William Franklin Beedle Jr. to a chemist father and a schoolteacher mother, Holden had one brother, Robert, who was killed in action as a Navy fighter pilot in World War II. When he was three years old, his family moved to Monrovia, CA., where he attended grade school. His father wanted a natural sciences career for him, and had him work in a chemical lab during summer vacations. He played the clarinet, rode motorcycles, and sang in his church choir.
He took a course at junior college in radio drama, and was in some radio plays. He became involved in the Pasadena Playhouse and played the role of an 80-year-old man in a play called “Manya.” A talent scout was impressed and Paramount gave him a small part in “Million Dollar Legs,” 1939. At this point, he changed his name to William Holden.
His big break came in 1939 when he starred in “Golden Boy” with Barbara Stanwyck, who coached him through the role and became a life-long friend. His work was well received, and launched him in many more movies between 1940 and 1942. He enlisted in the Army from 1942-1945 during World War II. When he returned to Hollywood, he had to start from scratch to build up his name again. Fortunately, his appearance in “Sunset Boulevard,” 1950, did that for him, and he received an Academy Award nomination for his work.
Holden won the Best Actor Oscar in 1953 for “Stalag 17.” During the ‘50s and ‘60s, he remained one of Hollywood’s leading stars. Some of his movies included “Sabrina Fair,” “Picnic,” “The Country Girl” and “The Bridges of Toki-Ri.”
During the ‘50s, he began traveling extensively. After a long stay in the Far East, he became a citizen of Geneva, Switzerland, but spent much of his time in Africa, where he was co-owner of the Mount Kenya Safari Club. He became disenchanted with the film work offered him, but continued working through the ‘70s, winning an Emmy award for his television appearance in “The Blue Knight” in 1973.
He married Ardis Ankerson (her screen name was Brenda Marshall) on 7/13/1941, and they had two sons, Peter and Scott. They later divorced, in 1963. Holden had a long term relationship with actress Stephanie Powers.
An alcoholic, he died 11/16/1981 after accidentally falling and hitting his head while drunk. He was found at his home in Santa Monica, CA at 10:00 AM; his blood alcohol level was .22%.
Link to Wikipedia biography