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William Holden ( April 17, 1918 - November 12, 1981) was an American film actor. Born William Franklin Beedle Jr. in O'Fallon, Illinois, he moved with his wealthy family to Pasadena, California when he was three. His father was an industrial chemist and his mother a teacher. In 1937, while still in college, he was signed to a movie contract. His first role was in Prison Farm the following year.
His first starring role was in 1939's Golden Boy, in which he played a boxer who wants to be a violinist. His career took off after he returned from World War II, as he played a series of roles that mixed his good looks and cynical detachment: the down at the heels screenwriter in Sunset Boulevard, the prisoner of war entrepreneur in Stalag 17, the dangerous wanderer in PicnicIn contemporary usage, picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors, ideally, taking place in a beautiful landscape. Formerly, picnic meant a potluck, an entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to and the ill-fated prisoner in The Bridge on the River KwaiLe Pont de la Riviere Kwai The Bridge over the River Kwai is a novel by Pierre Boulle, published in 1954, that won the French Prix Ste Beuve''. It dramatizes the plight of Allied prisoners of war during World War II forced to build the 258-mile Death Rail. He also played a number of sunnier parts in light comedy with just as much success, such as the tutor in Born YesterdayBorn Yesterday is a play by Garson Kanin which tells the story of a corrupt tycoon who brings his show-girl mistress with him to Washington when he tries to buy a few Congressmen. He hires a history professor to teach his girlfriend a little about history and Humphrey BogartHumphrey Bogart ( December 25, 1899 January 14, 1957) was an iconic American actor who retains legendary status decades after his death. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Bogart the Greatest Male Star of All Time. Bogart typically played smart, p's younger brother in SabrinaSabrina is the ancient name of the English River Severn as well as the goddess of that river in Insular Brythonic mythology. Sabrina is the title of an American comedy movie produced in 1954 and later remade in 1995. The story was originally written by Sa.
Holden also starred in more than his share of forgettable movies, forced by the studios that held his contract to keep him working. Holden had for many years suffered from alcoholismAlcoholism is an addictive dependency on alcohol characterised by craving (a strong need to drink); loss of control (being unable to stop); physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms; and tolerance (increasing difficulty of becoming drunk). 1820 Alcoholi and severe depressionIt is common to feel sad, discouraged, or "down" once in a while, and anyone in this state might say they are suffering from depression. But for some people, this mood persists. For depression, or any other condition, to be termed "clinical" it must reach. By the early 1960s he appeared to be sleepwalking through many of his roles.
That led in turn to the last phase of his career, beginning with The Wild BunchThis article is about the movie. For the gang of the same name, see Wild Bunch. The Wild Bunch is a 1969 western film in which an aging group of outlaws hope to have one more score while the West is turning into a modern society. It stars William Holden, and ending with Network, in which Holden played the older version of the character he had perfected in the 1950s, now more jaded and aware of his own mortality. His last movie was S.O.B..
Holden was married to Brenda Marshall from 1941 to 1971, when they divorced. The couple had two sons, and he adopted the daughter of his wife's first marriage. Holden spent much of his time owning and managing an animal preserve in Africa. He died of a fall at his home in Santa Monica, California in 1981 (his body was found on 16 November, but forensic evidence suggested he had died on 12 November). Holden had been heavily intoxicated and slipped on a rug in his apartment gashing his head on a table. He bled to death from this injury.
Holden was cremated; his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.