Sunset Boulevard (1950), Paramount Pictures. And here is how he obtained his new movie tag. A year later, Stefanie founded a wildlife conservatory in his name to carry on his legacy. At the end of her acceptance speech, she paid him a personal tribute: "I loved him very much, and I miss him. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? When she's not writing, Rebecca can be found buried under too many blankets with a hot cup of tea. "[3], For his contribution to the film industry, Holden has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1651 Vine Street. Sunset Boulevard, and Holdens performance in the film, impressed everyone so much that they nominated him for an Academy Award. American actor William Holden circa 1965.| Getty Images. While in Italy in 1966, Holden was responsible for the death of another driver in a drunk-driving incident near Pisa. 11 months later, however, his luck finally changed. Powers told of Holden's involvement in wildlife conservation in Africa. Holden served as a second and then a first lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force during World War II, where he acted in training films for the First Motion Picture Unit, including Reconnaissance Pilot (1943). At that point Mel Ferrer re-entered her life. The rest of his career wouldnt go this smoothly, however. Holden, having had a vasectomy, was no longer able to have children.
That same afternoon, his wife dropped by to visit him. Soon, Holden wanted more and asked Kelly for her hand in marriage. With his dad bedridden, Holden became the head of the family. According to a new book about their affair, Hepburn was a 'wife's worst nightmare' a cultured beauty who was well spoken and had completely entranced her husband. Needless to say, Holden could barely afford his new home. During these tough times, Holdens few escapes included the Boy Scouts, athletics, and, to his surprise, acting. Every morning, Cobb arrived at the studio, picking apart each line of the film and complaining that the film was a complete disaster. This time, it happened during the filming of Sabrina, and the actress that captured his heart was none other than Audrey Hepburn. Epstein writes that during their time together Hepburn spoke 'often' of having children and that she wanted three or four babies so that she could retire from acting to raise them. Even as Holden secured more starring roles, which included Invisible Stripes in the same year he filmed Golden Boy, Holden remained a nervous wreck before he got on movie sets. See 'Magnum P.I.' Holden and Crawford got particularly close, due to one thing they had in common: their hatred for Paramounts president, Harry Cohn. All Rights Reserved. It was a big hit, as was The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), a Korean War drama with Kelly.[20][21]. Holden's dad, after years of working in a lab that exposed him to a concoction of dangerous chemicals, contracted pneumosilicosis. Their relationship was headed for disaster. At the time filming of Sabrina was due to start, Hepburn, who grew up in England, had recently broken off her engagement to James Hanson, the wealthy British industrialist and a member of the House of Lords, a parting which Epstein describes as 'unpleasant'. Winston was one of those who discovered the Golden Boy newcomer and who renamed himin honor of his former spouse!"[2]. Miraculously they managed to keep their affair out of the tabloid newspapers, even though they were caught in an intimate moment when a member of the Sabrina crew barged into Holden's dressing room without knocking. In 1930, Holdens family faced a crisis. As Hollywoods up-and-coming leading man, Holden had his pick of the most beautiful ladies around. Holden had his most widely recognized role as "Commander" Shears in David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) with Alec Guinness,[25] a huge commercial success. He writes: 'A synthetic cordiality filled the room. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Holdens next few films struggled at the box office. Hepburn became a screen legend thanks to her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but suffered a huge backlash after being cast in the title role for My Fair Lady because many felt it belonged to Julie Andrews. Advertisement Audrey Hepburn and William Holden get into character as the ugly duckling-turned-beauty queen Sabrina Fairchild and charming millionaire playboy Linus Larrabee, respectively in "Sabrina" circa 1954 . Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. Since the role required Holden to know how to box and how to play the violin, his days consisted of relentless, endless lessons. Later, he recalled, Before I even met her, I had a crush on her, and after I met her, just a day later, I felt as if we were old friends, and I was rather fiercely protective of her. Eventually, Holden got down on one knee and asked Hepburn to marry him, but in a surprise twist, Hepburn refused. Few people know the real Bill Holden. [44] Capucine and Holden remained friends until his death in 1981. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. william holden grandchildrennicole alexander bio. A second film with Seaton did not do as well, The Proud and Profane (1956), where Holden played the role with a moustache. His bloodshot eyes underscored his angst. Caught up in the patriotic fervor of the nation, Holden enlisted, leaving his new wife behind and putting his acting career on hold. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. Things progressed quickly and blossomed into 'all-out passion' and their on-screen chemistry spilled over into the dressing room. Why did William Holden bleed to death? Shocked by Holdens talent, Lewis decided to offer him the opportunity of a lifetime. By this time, Holden felt ready to look for a bigger house for his new family. On November 12, 1981, after years of recognition for his successful films and charity work, Holden lost his life in the most heartbreaking way imaginable. He writes: 'Once while chatting brightly about the names of their future children, suddenly an embarrassed smile, tinged with fear, crept into Bill's face. This early and promising start to acting didnt keep Holden out of trouble, though. Considering how badly they were getting along, Holden suspected that it was Jones' attempt to annoy him. Reluctant Facts About Jennifer Jones, The Unlikely Superstar, Lawyers Reveal Their Most Jaw-Dropping Court Cases, Stabbed In The Back: These Real-Life Betrayals Are Straight Up Brutal, Im Done: These People Quit Their Bad Jobs And Toxic Relationships In Epic Ways, Catherine The Great Was a Mighty EmpressUntil Her Brutal Downfall, Wild Facts About Howard Hughes, The Most Eccentric Man In Hollywood. Things only got worse from here on out. He received an eight-month suspended sentence for vehicular manslaughter. Legan's mother is their daughter, which makes Legan the. But even then, Bill had a reputation as a hard drinker. [39], Holden maintained a home in Switzerland and also spent much of his time working for wildlife conservation as a managing partner in an animal preserve in Africa. His . However, Holden wasnt one to settle for good enough, and so, he decided to put everything on the line for his next film. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. When she received her Honorary Oscar at the 1982 Academy Award ceremony, Holden had died in an accident just a few months prior. Still, I feel in my . On top of that, he took any excuse he could to avoid being home, leaving his wife and kids behind for long periods of time. Thanks to Stanwycks patience, Holden improved, and his efforts were not in vain. He pushed her to officially divorce her husband so they could start a life together, which, of course, she eventually did. Actor William Holden May Face Manslaughter. He made two more films with Olson: Force of Arms (1951) at Warner Bros. and Submarine Command (1951) at Paramount. Holden was still an unknown actor when he made Golden Boy, while Stanwyck was already a film star. A magistrate will deride by the end of August if the . Holden's career took off again in 1950 when Billy Wilder tapped him to play a down-at-heel screenwriter taken in by a faded silent film actress (Gloria Swanson) in Sunset Boulevard. [11] Swanson later said, "Bill Holden was a man I could have fallen in love with. Although Holdens dad was a strong fellow, he suffered from a chronic lung condition. Eventually, his acting career led him straight to the girl of his dreams. Had it become public it would have been catastrophic for Hepburn her Cinderella image would have been ruined and she would have been labelled a home wrecker. Simply put, Holden had become incredibly successfula worthy investment. Underneath his pretty face, however, was a man with a troubled life, who constantly struggled with the demons of addiction. Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values Inside His Decision to Protect Them, Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished, Anthony Hopkins Is Happily Married to 'Wonderful' Wife of 18 Years Who Loves Spending His Money, Kurt Russell Took over the Role of a Father to Goldie Hawns Kids after Their Biological Dad Abandoned Them, Sidney Poitier Shared 6 Children with 2 Different Women - Meet His 'Quite Intelligent' Look-Alike Daughters, John Wayne Welcomed Son at 56 & Knew He Would Miss Him Growing Up He Did Not Let Him Go to School, Paul Newman Had 6 Children with 2 Women His Will Caused a Rift between His Family and Adviser, Jon Provost AKA Timmy from 'Lassie' Worked a Normal Job, Married Twice & Had 2 Kids after the Show, Samuel L Jackson & Wife Are Married for 41 Years & 'Still Love Each Other' Though They Took 10 Years to Wed, Demi Moore Stood By Her Dying Mother's Side Despite Ugly Childhood under Mom's Care, Joanne Woodward Doesnt Even Remember the Love of Her Life Paul Newman after His Death due to Her Health State, Martin Sheen's Longtime Wife Helped Him 'Heal Psychically' When He Thought He Was Going to Die, Jackie Kennedy Could Dance 'Pressing Her Thighs' to Marlon Brando & Was Close With Robert F Kennedy, Hugh Jackman Met 13-Year Older Wife When She Definitely Avoided Men Under 30 - They Are Married for 25 Years. In 1950, Holdens luck took a turn for the better when director Billy Wilder asked him to take the lead role in Sunset Boulevard. Epstein says: 'But the beautiful Ardis brought out the competitive spirit in Audrey. A version of how he obtained his stage name "Holden" is based on a statement by George Ross of Billboard: "William Holden, the lad just signed for the coveted lead in Golden Boy, used to be Bill Beadle [sic]. Well, not everybody! She has a 27-year-old daughter . The family, who moved to Pasadena, California when he was three, was of English descent; Holden's paternal great-grandmother, Rebecca Westfield, was . Thanks for your help! That's the true story. Holdens dad, after years of working in a lab that exposed him to a concoction of dangerous chemicals, contracted pneumosilicosis. [50], His death was noted by singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, whose 1987 song "Tom's Diner", about a sequence of events one morning in 1981, included a mention of reading a newspaper article about "an actor who had died while he was drinking". He became increasingly irritable, isolating himself from his friends and unable to face their questions. His body was found four days later. It was only by some miracle that Holden walked away from the fall alivebut he wasnt quite so lucky for his next film. Holden's daughter knew her father as caring and loving. They rushed him to Lausanne hospital in a semiconscious state, where both his wife and Capucine watched over him. Does Stephanie Powers have a daughter . Fame did not interest him, the actors daughter, Virginia Holden Gaines, exclusively tells Closer in the latest issue, on newsstands now, adding that her father initially tried acting to cure his shyness. Of course, Holdens infidelity, along with what happened next, did nothing to keep their relationship afloat. In Hepburn's eyes Ardis was 'beautiful; the role of injured wife did not suit her.'. He often played men who didnt want to be heroes but couldnt help themselves. Needless to say, Hollywoods golden boy hid many dark secrets beneath his perfect exterior. His permanent home . It ended up being one of the worst experiences of his life. I didn't know. After filming three more movies between 1941 and 1942The Fleets In, Meet the Stewarts, and Young and WillingHolden left for the airbase near Fort Worth, Texas. This shouldve been a joyous occasion for all, except for two issues: first, he didnt win, and second, his wife spent the evening making passive-aggressive comments about how Jos Ferrer, who took the award home, deserved the win over Holden. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Paramount reunited Bracken and him in Young and Willing (1943). Copy to clipboard. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. In 1973, Holden starred with Kay Lenz in a movie directed by Clint Eastwood called Breezy, which was considered a box-office flop. Actress Stefanie Powers dishes on her love William Holden Actress Stefanie Powers, best known for starring in the TV show "Hart to Hart," has written a memoir, "One From the Hart," looking. [23][24] Picnic was his last film under the contract with Columbia. One of his father's grandmothers, Rebecca Westfield, was born in England, while some of his mother's ancestors settled in Virginia's Lancaster County after emigrating from England in the 17th century. When Holden awoke, he had devastating news for his wife. Paramount grouped Holden with a bunch of other talented young actors, and dubbed the group The Golden Circle. Paramount frequently sent Holden and the Golden Circle members out to attract press attention, but it meant sharing the spotlight, making it difficult for Holden to attract attention to himself. While intoxicated in his apartment, Holden slipped on a rug and hit his head on a bedside tablebut that wasnt the most disturbing part. It wasnt until 1972 that Holden found his next conquest, an actress named Stefanie Powers. With his relationship falling apart, Holden began looking for other ways to fill the hole in his heart. Slowly, Holden gained his confidence back, and it showed; many reviewers noted how Holden gave his character a surprising amount of depth. He took a lot of pride in being a family man, eventually adopting his wifes daughter from her first marriage. I am also fully aware that Natalie Wood was murdered two weeks after Holden and that the deaths are definitely connected. In accordance with his wishes, no funeral or memorial services were conducted. We want our readers to trust us. , updated He stayed at Paramount for The Remarkable Andrew (1942) with Brian Donlevy, then made Meet the Stewarts (1943) at Columbia. When Stalag 17 was released in 1953, it was a resounding success, so much so that Holden finally won an Academy Award for his work the following year. The article caused some damage to his career, but it didnt stop him from taking things a step further with his new lady love. But his career wasnt all nerves and booze. He impressed Mamoulian, but when it came time for him to meet the president of Columbia, Harry Cohn, Holden nearly ended his career right there. In 1931, Holdens family moved to affluent South Pasadena. Zach Edey's Mom Played Basketball but Couldn't Afford a Career in the Sport, Justine Skye's Parents Were Successful but Her Mom Sold Her Valuables for Their Daughter's Career, Is Cybill Shepherd Married? He and Marshall had two sons together, Peter Westfield "West" Holden (born November 17, 1943) and Scott Holden (Scott Porter Holden, born May 2, 1946). At Paramount, he did another Western, Streets of Laredo (1949). In a candid interview with Tim Teeman, "Hart to Hart" star Stefanie Powers talks about fame, surviving cancer, her love for William Holden and the mystery of Natalie Wood's death. But it was too late. With Holden and his wife present, what clearer sign could there be that nothing had been going on? Being outdoors, sleeping under the sky, tracking animals, Stefanie recalls. Not only did Holden have a voice that instantly captured everyones attention, but he learned the scripts for his school plays faster than anyone else. The latter was shot in Africa and sparked Holden's fascination with the continent that was to last for the rest of his life. Despite the differences in our ages, we shared many of the same curiosities about life, Stefanie tells Closer. In six of the nine years that we were together, he was sober. The CIA asked him that if he came across any interesting observations to contact them. Virginia Holden Gaines, William Holden's adopted daughter, shared a side of the famous "Sunset Boulevard" actor that those closest to him knew very well. The Hollywood heartthrob made his film debut in "Prison Farm" and worked himself up to movies like "Stalag 17" which allowed him to win an Oscar. But even with a romance in the works, he never truly shook off his drinking problem. Details on Recent Surgery, Recovery, Emma Hemming Shares Sweet Video of Bruce Willis Prior to FTD Diagnosis, Montgomery Clift Hated Having to Conceal Parts of His True Self, Regina Taylor Reflects on Most Memorable Roles Amid Emmy Buzz, HGTV's Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt Say Daughter Jade Is Mini-Mika', Suzanne Somers Had to Learn How to Walk After Breaking Her Neck, Dolly Parton Is Always Adding Things to Her Bucket List, Friend Says, L.A. Law's Corbin Bernsen Reveals Success Secret to 34-Year Marriage, Jean Simmons Remembered By Daughter Kate: Im Proud Shes My Mom, Dick Van Dyke Lucked Out Working With Hollywood's Leading Ladies, Bruce Davison On His Career, 1923 Show, Friends and More. Holden then started dating Stefanie Powers, known for her role in "Hart to Hart.". "[12] And Wilder commented "Bill was a complex guy, a totally honorable friend. Make your own custom-made popup window! He adopted his wife's daughter, Virginia, from her first marriage with actor Richard Gaines. He was the son of a schoolteacher and an industrial chemist from small town Illinois who had only just found fame a few years earlier with his roles in Sunset Boulevard and Stalag 17. He also saw tragedy too and killed another driver with Ferrari in Tuscany, a scandal for which he was given an eight month suspended prison sentence. His Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki (founded 1959) was popular with the international jet set. The script excited Holden. Holden was reunited with Wilder in Stalag 17 (1953), for which Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. It didn't take Ardis long to realize what she had to do; as soon as they closed the front door and waved her goodbye 'the gloves came off and (she) went into attack mode', author Edward Epstein writes. One of the biggest Hollywood stars of his day, Holdens handsome features seduced everyone around him. With his dad bedridden, Holden became the head of the family. In July of 1941, Holden suggested that they elope in Las Vegasbut this adventure nearly ended in disaster. Hepburn had a son with Ferrer, her first of her two husbands. That persons name was Nina Foch, a fellow cast member. [15] Holden and Hepburn became romantically involved during the filming, unbeknownst to Wilder: "People on the set told me later that Bill and Audrey were having an affair, and everybody knew. . Dec. 2, 1981 The late actor William Holden left $250,000 to his. Holden's daughter knew her father as caring and loving. Feeling guilty over this dalliance, Holden began to rely even more on drinking. But critics dubbed it 'Paris when it fizzles' because by then the magic between the two of them was gone even on the silver screen. In 1972, Holden began a nine-year relationship with actress Stefanie Powers and sparked her interest in animal welfare. Closer Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. His deal was considered one of the best ever for an actor at the time, with him receiving 10% of the gross, which earned him over $2.5 million, however, Holden stipulated that he should only receive a maximum of $50,000 per year from the film ($482,405 in 2021 dollars [26]). Powers was in a relationship with William Holden. Over his six-decade career, with starring roles in Stalag 17, The Wild Bunch, Picnic and The Bridge on the River Kwai, William Holden became famous for characters who represented the best an American man could be. Now Holden just needed to prove himself on set, but that was easier said than done. This time, his female co-star was a French actress named Capucine. Madame de Pompadour didn't just share King Louis XV's bed, she also shared his power. Adopted his stepdaughter, Virginia Holden (Virginia Gaines), from Ardis Ankerson (actress Brenda Marshall)'s first marriage. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore Hepburn knew she was at a weak point in her life but went along with it anyway, and accepted when he proposed. The third Wilder/Holden collaboration was this adaptation of Samuel Taylor's Sabrina Fair, with Audrey Hepburn as the titular chauffeur's daughter who is sent to Paris to become a lady. Suggest an alternative. During one scene in Sunset Boulevard, Holden needed to kiss his co-star, Gloria Swanson. Holden made his start in radio plays fresh out of college and made his way onto the big screen, where he won a string of accolades that live on as his legacy beyond his tragic death. It wasnt a ton at firstjust a bit to take the edge off his nervesbut it was enough to make sure he glowed with confidence on set. Audrey and Bill: A Romantic Biography of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden: Edward Z. Epstein: 9780762455973: Amazon.com: Books. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. Closer Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. He could be just as strong and quietly courageous offscreen, too. Also in 1969, Holden starred in director Terence Young's family film L'Arbre de Nol, co-starring Italian actress Virna Lisi and French actor Bourvil, based on the novel of the same name by Michel Bataille. For it took more than personal charm to bring home the Oscar! We loved it. In both films, he worked with a beautiful actress named Grace Kelly and soon fell head-over-heels in love with her. Virginia Holden Gaines, William Holden's adopted daughter, shared a side of the famous "Sunset Boulevard" actor that those closest to him knew very well. [14], Holden made a third film with Wilder, Sabrina (1954), billed beneath Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. The acting jobs trickled in..but slowly. During The Seventh Dawn, Holdens onset shenanigans increased ten-fold. Around this time, WWII rocked the lives of everyone in the United States, and that included Holdens as well. We were soulmates. [45] After his death, Powers set up the William Holden Wildlife Foundation at Holden's Mount Kenya Game Ranch. [36] Holden starred in The Earthling,[37] as a loner dying of cancer at the Australian outback and accompanying an orphan boy (Ricky Schroder). In September of 1945, Holden eagerly returned to his acting career. Holden told his wife that their marriage was over. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. As the most commanding mistress in the French court, she bettered the lives of many and became a beloved figure. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Gaines said that she flourished under Holden's care, revealing: I felt like I could confide in him. On the set of 1954's "Sabrina," his . Although the next few films he worked on didnt have the impact of Sunset Boulevard, Holden still managed to do reasonably well. He always wished that I would get an Oscar. And although he hid his domestic troubles well from the public, his relationship with his wife was already crumbling. We were close friends for many years. He spent the next several years concentrating on his other interestsstraightening out his health and reviving his film career. While this was all well and good, his relationship with his wife was still on the rocks, so it wasnt long before he strayed again. He explains how they fell in love despite disapproval from Hepburn's mother and having come from completely different backgrounds. At his behest, Holdens wife retired as an actress, making him the sole breadwinner in the family. But that did not mean she would avoid meeting Ardis, a former actress whose stage name was Brenda Marshall and who was close friends with Nancy Reagan. Hepburn's reaction was one of shock. In 1953, his work in The Moon Is Blue earned him a whopping $600,000, and he was still getting film offers left and right. However, while on set, he got a littletoo confident. Although Catherine's successor Queen Anne Boleyn suffered an infamously dark fate, Aragon's own life was somehow even more tragic. But before the wedding she faced one final indignity. Holden's films continued to struggle at the box office, however: Paris When It Sizzles (1964) with Hepburn was shot in 1962 but given a much delayed release, The 7th Dawn (1964) with Capucine and Susannah York, a romantic adventure set during the Malayan Emergency produced by Charles K. Feldman, Alvarez Kelly (1966), a Western, and The Devil's Brigade (1968). I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Holden and Marshall had to beg the minister to carry out the ceremony in their tiny hotel room.
Catfish Producer Dies 2021,
Btw21 Indictments 2021,
Best Water Polo Clubs In Southern California,
Kathleen Martinez Latest News,
Articles D