He tried and tried - we'd go weeks without hearing from him and then he'd resurface detoxed (by himself - ALONE - many, many times. I loved him then, I love him now. Managed to convince the executive to rethink his decision. He was so suave, elegant, restrained and drop dead gorgeous. Interview with Stephanie Powers in-between. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Some of his mothers ancestors found their way to the States in the 17th century. William Holden was one of my favorite actors and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing was shown the year I graduated from high school. His height was 1.8 m tall and weighed 89 kg. You can always change this later in your Account settings. It was the sun and alcohol. The coroner's office said Holden was "heavily intoxicated" and his death was . January 28, 2023, 4:29 pm, by in Sizzles in Paris, you can see that he had a lot of sun damage to his skin. Taking a drink in your 80s is much better than the alternative. Or perhaps he isolated himself from all who cared for him. Another observation about him is that he was in incredible shape for the times. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Breezy was a bit cheezy (tee hee) but I don't think any other older actor could have pulled off the role of Frank Harmon the way he did. The family moved to California when he was very young, and he attended public schools in Monrovia and Pasadena. Heartwarming and so meaningful a film!! He was driving under the influence when he caused the accident. I couldn't believe how handsome and classy he was. What can i say about William Holden my father took me to see "Picnic" i told my father i want her job! 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. Kenya Safari Club. Ronald Reagan was his immediate supervisor. The studios made films like we make cars today. No funeral or memorial service was held, per his wishes. Mr. Holden's films should be released as a boxed set of ten or twelve of his best works. I thank him for the legacy he left us. I love the way he leaves the prison camp at the end of Stalag 17. Finally, in the late '50s he negotiated a ground-breaking contract with Columbia to star in The Bridge on the River Kwai, allowing him to become a part-owner in the film. 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. Even neighbors of many years only received a quick nod from the elusive actor. He knew what he was and couldn't find a way to stop.The senseless war on drugs perpetuates the myth that because drinking is legal it is somehow more innocent than the other drugs that destroy lives and kill. Although I am one of William Holden's biggest fans, I can completely empathize with her about the trust factor. The will ordered that most of his estate be shared among. I remember my girlfriend and I sitting in the theatre through "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" twice. Apparently they had discussed the subject on many previous occasions and he was very much aware of how important becoming a mother was to her. love is a many splendored thing - what a feat. Beginning in 1950, his career took off when Billy Wilder tapped him to star as the down-at-the-heels screenwriter Joe Gillis, who is taken in by faded silent-screen star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) in Sunset Blvd. The entrance lobby of OceanAire underwent a complete transformation, creating a 6,000-square-foot, Zen-inspired garden of imported granite and sandstone complete with bubbling fountains and lush landscaping. Even when he was in his 40's he had a great body. His wonderful movies are simply wonderful and engrossing. Will still remember Bill as the handsome, sexy guy in his prime. He was one of the handsomest men on the screen, be it black and white and color. She has kept his legacy alive through the Wildlife Foundation she started in HIS name and has been the Executive Director of it since it's inception. What destroyed his looks was relentless baking in the sun and cigarettes. I don't even watch tv or go to movies anymore because most of the stars are so plain looking and have so little talent. Since then we have been looking for and watching every Holden movie we can rent or buy. Yes, the part that established him as a Hollywood powerhouse was the wholesome young prizefighter who just wants to be a violinist in Golden Boy. As a teenager I was into Elvis Presley, but somewhere in my subconscious, William Holden had made an impact. For his contribution to the film industry, William Holden has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1651 Vine Street. After the war, he returned to the screen in 1947, first with a cameo appearance in the film Variety Girl then in a leading role in Blaze of Noon. Two sons with his wife Ardis and an earlier daughter at a young age with an older actress. He was unparalleled and I miss him. He was probably dead within 15 minutes. A talent scout, impressed by his performance in the role of Madame Curie's grandfather, persuaded Paramount to give him a small part in ''Million Dollar Legs'' in 1939. If his Japanese captors want a bridge built, then his men will build it. I ADORED THE MOVIE. These roles include a prisoner-of-war entrepreneur in Stalag 17 (1953), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. But instead, he likely died of blood loss within about 15 minutes of his accident. He had no real reason to drink like that. He constantly placed his own need for instant gratification before the needs of his loved ones - right throughout his life. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. In early October 1981, Holden travelled from his Palm Springs home to his coastal apartment to live a semi-reclusive existence. That one critic likened it to a map of the United States. With the right direction and material, Bill Holden was as good anactor as any at the time. From romance to war, he was the best. Watched Stalag 17 with my wife and two teenage sons. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/SubDazeWithJordanTheLionMERCH: http://shop.spreadshirt.com/jordanthelionDONATE: www.patreon.com/jordanthelionPAYPAL DONATI. Just saw "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" and loved William Holden and always remembered him for his roles with Asian women, like "World of Suzi Wong" -- Of course, I am Chinese and would have done anything for him. Shelley Winters knew what she wanted and went after it. I know your comments above were posted a year ago, but if you haven't seen it yet you should. I love him. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Additional building amenities offer 24-hour security, business conference center, fitness center with sauna and underground parking. He slammed into the piece of furniture with such force that it was jammed about three to four inches into the plaster wall. We all have issues just being a regular person or a actor and what a great actor but a human man , no one is perfect , we all have our issues , Love you Mr. Holden thank you for all the movies I still watch. Lets talk about it, because I am always looking for bright and funny guests. I struggle with writing screenplays today, and sadly many of the greatest films in the past would NOT be made today. What person in their right mind would go back for more of that. Really great in Bridge Over the River Kwai.Beautiful girlfriend too (Stefanie Powers). He said in 1971 that he had always resented the ''ground rules of 30 years ago, when you did anything to get your name in the paper with Hedda Hopper or Louella Parsons.''. That is love, dedication, respect, and hard work. His work lives on, and I'm so glad he continues to be rediscovered and enjoyed by new fans. That way you can keep up with all of our latest and upcoming videos. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In recent years, Mr. Holden's frequent companion was the actress Stefanie Powers. His most recent movie was ''S.O.B.,'' a farce, in which Vincent Canby, reviewing the film in The New York Times, said he was ''especially fine.'' For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Holden called Santa Monica, California his home in 1981. The resemblance between WH and Tom Hanks is uncanny when WH was much younger. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. I will stick to the old movies when I want to watch something good! Holdens apartment was on the fourth floor, number 43. Facts Verse Get the day's top news with our Today's Headlines newsletter, sent every weekday morning. September 14, 2021, 5:02 am, by WILLIAM HOLDEN'S SANTA MONICA PENTHOUSE I taught Film Studies for 20 years and I would single out Sunset Boulevard as a film that only showed Holdens talent but also provided a useful window onto Hollywoods history. She reported that he was drinking at the time when he gave her a ring. His films were well written, well directed, and cast correctly. It takes me somewhere that other movies never have. In 1955 I was 14 and involved with my first girlfriend. Murdered in Google and came to this sight. His doc told him to quit drinking alcohol and coffee, no more advil and no more smoking. Family members linked to this person will appear here. He was a product of the studios,but his fame has transcended those years. Made me happy! Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? I always feel as though he and the other wonderful actors, actresses, dancers of the period are friends they had brought me so much joy, understanding, laughter and I cry whenever I read of another passing of these talented souls. He always brought a reassuring presence to any scene. Barbara Stanwyck was his angel, coaching Holden and using her stardom to get him a parts. The 14-story building, now known as OceanAire, was originally designed in 1962 by the trend-setting, California contemporary architect, A. Quincy Jones and is still considered to be one of the most structurally unique buildings on the ocean view block. Didn't your mother teach you anything? Does anyone know if he still had the HK apt. He was enormously talented. On April 17, 1918, William Franklin Beedle Jr of OFallon, Illinois came into the world. There were 8 bloody Kleenexs found next to his body, and a working telephone just inches away from him. Post Script: In this video I made a GAFF ON STEROIDS!!! I will never forget that dance scene in "Picnic" with Kim Novak. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. It was in The Bridge On the River Kwai that Holden most vividly portrayed the American male of the World War II generation. He did the best he could and to me there will never be another to compare to william Holden. I think this resulted in great on screen chemistry. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. "I often marvel how people today think things were much better in the "good old days." Simple theme. Todays movie is And was one of his first ancestors to immigrate to America. 'I'm Not a Classic Actor'. Fine actor, of course. No the man I knew could lose both arms and still try to kick you to death. Alcoholism can be a fickle foe, and in Holdens case, it was a mortal enemy. The police said he had apparently died of natural causes and had been dead for possibly two or three days. (WW-Australia), I actually prefer Holden in his later years as he really had honed the craft of believable acting. He was just so damn believable. They are known, and he did often, to go off on drinking binges on their own for days. Facts Verse A wonderful man! He did continue to star in a few good films like The Wild Bunch in 1969, The Towering Inferno in 1974, and S.O.B in 1981. What did the beautiful Stephanie Powers see in him with the mess he was at the end? He was the best .as Nancy Olsen (young co-star in SUNSET BOULEVARD) stated about him , " He was the perfect movie star !". It's unfortunate, but at least his work can still be enjoyed to this day. I Love William Holden. Five years later, he starred with Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the critically acclaimed disaster film The Towering Inferno, which became a box office smash and one of the highest-grossing films of Holdens career. Columbias president Harry Cohn had half the mind to fire him. I have watched that scene a hundred times and I can't get over how tender he is and his movements of his shoulders and bringing Madge closer to him. Holden was found in a robe and shirt, on the floor. For the diehard William Holden fans, you will know this. Now, I am intrigued by my discovery! That's right, no one. Seventh Dawn is an excellent movie and very prophetic in todays world. Errol Flynn aged horribly and was unrecognizable when he died. His role in TV Net is basically the same. In 1980, he retreated to this wildlife preserve, returning to Hollywood only briefly to star in his final film, Blake Edwards's S.O.B. Unfortunately, this time it didn't happen that way. There was an error deleting this problem. I prefer him in his older years too. They spoke. I'm wrong. His fellow prisoners dislike him because he is a hustler looking out for himself, but he plays a crucial role in the prison camp escape at the end. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. He was a wonderful actor, as was John Barrymore. Holden landed small bit parts in films like Prison Farm in 1938 and Million Dollar Legs in 1939. Facts Verse There is even a picture of them in the Reagan Library. The professor ponders if his life is no longer useful while the young couple faces the challenges shared with many WW II veterans' families.