William Holden

William Holden
Paramount Pictures

Stars

William Holden
Film: West side of the 1700 block of Vine Street
Actor
Born William Franklin Beedle Jr. on April 17, 1918 in O'Fallon, IL
Died Nov. 12, 1981 of blood loss from head trauma in Santa Monica, CA

William Holden possessed a handsome face and an easy, masculine manner that made him the quintessential American in many movies.

He acted in several radio plays in college and in 1939 a talent scout got him a small part in the movie "Million Dollar Legs."

The camera liked his face and his next role, in "Golden Boy" (1939), made him a star.

He made more than 50 movies, including "The Wild Bunch," "Bridge On the River Kwai" and "Picnic."

Holden won an Academy Award for his 1953 role as an American airman in a German prisoner of war camp in "Stalag 17." He also received Oscar nominations for his parts in "Sunset Boulevard" (1950) and "Network" (1976).

Additionally, the actor was the best man at the 1952 wedding of Ronald and Nancy Reagan and remained friends with them over the years.

[Coroner's officials eventually determined that Holden bled to death after a drunken fall in his Santa Monica home.]

Related stars

Points of interest

Click for more information

    Academy Awards

    Year Category Work
    1950 Best Actor Sunset Boulevard Nomination
    1953 Best Actor Stalag 17 Win
    1976 Best Actor Network Nomination

    Three thoughts about William Holden

    Share a thought about William Holden

    • Did you ever meet William Holden? Share your memory.
    • Which other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have connections to William Holden?
    • Are other places in the world important to William Holden?
    • Does William Holden deserve this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

      Required
      Optional