William Holden

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Birthday:

17 April 1918, O'Fallon, Illinois, USA

Birth Name:

William Franklin Beedle Jr.

Height:

180 cm

William Holden was born William Franklin Beedle, Jr. in O'Fallon, Illinois, to Mary Blanche (Ball), a schoolteacher, and William Franklin Beedle, Sr., an industrial chemist. He came from a wealthy family (the Beedles) that moved to Pasadena, California, when he was three. In 1937, while studying chemistry at Pasadena Junior College, he was signed to a film contract by Paramount. His first starring role was as a young man torn between the violin and boxing in Golden Boy (1939). From then on he was typecast as the boy-next-door.After returning from World War II military service, he got two very important roles: Joe Gillis, the gigolo, in Sunset Blvd. (1950), and the tutor in Born Yesterday (1950). These were followed by his Oscar-winning role as the cynical sergeant in Stalag 17 (1953). He stayed popular through the 1950s, appearing in such films as Picnic (1955). He spent much of his later time as co-owner of the Mount Kenya Safari Club, dividing his time between Africa and Switzerland. Show less «

For me, acting is not an all-consuming thing, except for the moment when I am actually doing it.

Take any picture you can. One out of four will be good, one out of ten will be very good, and one out of 15 will get you an Academy Award.

Movie acting may not have a certain kind of glory as true art, but it is damn hard work.

I don't really know why, but danger has always been an important thing in my life - to see how far I could lean without falling, how fast I ...Show more »

I don't really know why, but danger has always been an important thing in my life - to see how far I could lean without falling, how fast I could go without cracking up. Show less «

I'm a whore, all actors are whores. We sell our bodies to the highest bidder.

[on Barbara Stanwyck] Thirty-nine years ago this month, we were working in a film together called Golden Boy (1939). It wasn't going so well...Show more »

[on Barbara Stanwyck] Thirty-nine years ago this month, we were working in a film together called Golden Boy (1939). It wasn't going so well and I was going to be replaced. But due to this lovely human being and her encouragement and above all her generosity, I'm here tonight. Show less «

[on working with Clint Eastwood on Breezy (1973)] He's even-tempered -- a personality trait not much in evidence among directors. The crew i...Show more »

[on working with Clint Eastwood on Breezy (1973)] He's even-tempered -- a personality trait not much in evidence among directors. The crew is totally behind him and that really helps things go smoothly. Show less «

[on Humphrey Bogart] I hated that bastard.

I found the jungle a beautiful and fascinating place to be, I like to come here because I want to stay away from the jungle as much as I can...Show more »

I found the jungle a beautiful and fascinating place to be, I like to come here because I want to stay away from the jungle as much as I can. Show less «

I made Toward the Unknown (1956) as an actor by day and, by night, a caster, a cuter, and a producer. I'll never do anything like that again...Show more »

I made Toward the Unknown (1956) as an actor by day and, by night, a caster, a cuter, and a producer. I'll never do anything like that again. Show less «

[on Toni Helfer and Ralph Helfer] Years after our initial meeting in Africa, I visited Ralph and Toni at Africa U.S.A. in Sangus, California...Show more »

[on Toni Helfer and Ralph Helfer] Years after our initial meeting in Africa, I visited Ralph and Toni at Africa U.S.A. in Sangus, California, and there I was even more amazed at the rapport the two of them had with their wildlife. Toni is an absolutely fearless human being who is totally loved by every animal she has ever touched. She is undaunted by any endeavor or undertaking. A remarkable painter, naturalist, zoologist, conservationist, and now author. Toni Helfer has the courage and the curiosity we all should have. For the sake of the world I wish Ralph and Toni a long, rich, and productive life. Show less «

The other day I drove into the garage of my Palm Springs house with some groceries. Suddenly one of those tour buses pulled up and a voice s...Show more »

The other day I drove into the garage of my Palm Springs house with some groceries. Suddenly one of those tour buses pulled up and a voice said, "This is William Holden's house, and I think I just saw him pull in." I flattened myself against the garage wall - the garage was separate from the house - and tried to hide. But the bags got heavy so I finally thought to hell with it, and walked out. And the voice said, "There he is, folks, I told you he'd come out sooner or later." Show less «

Let's face it, it's pretty difficult to kiss someone who is a stranger. I don't think anyone in movies enjoys playing a love scene. Kissing ...Show more »

Let's face it, it's pretty difficult to kiss someone who is a stranger. I don't think anyone in movies enjoys playing a love scene. Kissing someone is an intimate act, and when you have to do it in front of other people it's not easy. Show less «