Unfortunately for Holden, this plan fell through. 'Sunset Boulevard' Star William Holden's Adopted Daughter Talks about He began having an affair with her, but soon, Confidential magazine found out about it and ran an article about their illicit tryst. [43][citation needed]. To put any rumors to bed about her and Holden, Paramount, the studio to which she was signed, decided to stage an evening at Holden's house during which Hepburn would announce her engagement to Ferrer. She was Belgian-born and British-raised, the daughter of a Dutch baroness, while Holden was the offspring of a teacher and a chemist. He was 63. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. For Holden, who usually acted in Westerns and romantic comedies, this was a huge challengeone that he almost couldnt overcome. For this story and more, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now. In 1931, Holdens family moved to affluent South Pasadena. Epstein writes that, as one would imagine, conversation was somewhat 'forced'. A year later, Stefanie founded a wildlife conservatory in his name to carry on his legacy. "[12] And Wilder commented "Bill was a complex guy, a totally honorable friend. Holden and Marshall had to beg the minister to carry out the ceremony in their tiny hotel room. Does Stephanie Powers have a daughter . 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. Holden walked into the Columbia Pictures office, practically quaking in his boots. It was a sort of real-life adventure., Bill confided to his love that hed had other off-screen exploits too. 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. We were close friends for many years. Over the next four years, he'd make six great films: " Executive Suite ," " Sabrina ," " The Country Girl ," " The Bridges at Toko-Ri ," " Picnic ," and " The Bridge on the River Kwai .". Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. [16] Holden recalls their romance:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, 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, though not in a possessive way. As the most commanding mistress in the French court, she bettered the lives of many and became a beloved figure. Audrey's eyes avoided Bill's. He received an eight-month suspended sentence for vehicular manslaughter. With an Oscar under his belt, Holden began earning a pretty penny from his acting jobs. Holden was still an unknown actor when he made Golden Boy, while Stanwyck was already a film star. Jackie is said to reveal her affair with actor William Holden, right, which she did in retaliation for her husband's many flings In the tapes, Jackie allegedly blames President Lyndon Johnson. . Not only that, but Holdens character would be a scruffy, rough-and-tumble anti-hero, the opposite of the affable, handsome young men he had been playing as of late. Thanks for your help! Bill shared a warm, nurturing relationship with his adopted daughter, traveled to Africa to help save endangered animals, and even became an informant for the CIA at a crucial time in history. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. In both films, he worked with a beautiful actress named Grace Kelly and soon fell head-over-heels in love with her. There was one major problem with this: His wife made five times more than him! 'Ardis' heart must have frozen at the sight of her here was this radiant creature, fifteen years younger than she, who wasn't merely beautiful but had unique qualities of class and an almost spiritual grace. Epstein recounts the episode in 'Audrey and Bill' which describes in detail her little-told affair with Holden for the first time. I am also fully aware that Natalie Wood was murdered two weeks after Holden and that the deaths are definitely connected.
[41], Holden had a daughter born in 1937 from his relationship with actress Eva May Hoffman. Rebecca had her start in writing in elementary school, when a short story she wrote was published in her school's yearbook; she's been chasing the thrill of having her works published ever since. How many children did William Holden have with Audrey Hepburn? The talent scout described his voice as, the voice of a mature man, warm and resonant, rising from deep within him. Paramount executives offered Holden a position as a contract player for seven years, and thus, Holdens life as an actor began. 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. . When Sunset Boulevard came out in theaters, it proved to the world that Holden wasnt just a pretty leading man; he was a true actor, who could take on complicated characters and bring them to life. It was a demand he would ignore, but the relationship would come to an end weeks later for a reason that would break Hepburn's heart - and leave her feeling utterly betrayed. Even a studio worker admitted that Columbia was really taking advantage of him.. 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). Something needed to change before Holden really got himself into trouble. Gaines said that she flourished under Holden's care, revealing: I felt like I could confide in him. After that, the happy couple went on to have two more sons. There's something about the family structure that encourages secrets. UICTA. Our friendship never waned. Holden told his wife that their marriage was over. Please reach out to us to let us know what youre interested in reading. Intrigued by Holdens screen presence, Mamoulian asked Paramount to send Holden over for a meetingBut Holden didnt exactly make a great first impression. [3] He made a sex comedy with David Niven for Otto Preminger, The Moon Is Blue (1953), which was a huge hit, in part due to controversy over its content. See 'Magnum P.I.' It wasnt a good look for Holden, and it foreshadowed the tragic path that his relationship with his wife was about to take. The emotional and physical strain began to take its toll on him, so much so that it started to affect his behavior on set. Both his daughter and girlfriend recall his bad drinking habit with Gaines thinking back to her childhood saying: His standard breakfast before leaving for the studio in the morning was a glass of vodka mixed with orange juice.. The Lion (1962) - Turner Classic Movies Holden was born William Franklin Beedle, Jr., on April 17, 1918, in O'Fallon, Illinois, son of Mary Blanche Beedle (ne Ball), a schoolteacher, and her husband William Franklin Beedle, an industrial chemist. Gaines recalled the loving relationship that she shared with her father, telling how he used to play with her, relying on his background as a gymnast. [40] On a trip to Africa, he fell in love with the wildlife and became increasingly concerned with the animal species that were beginning to decrease in population. Britain's Got Talent fans have been left in shock - Daily Mail 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). She had moved to Los Angeles where she became the toast of the dinner party circuit where media mogul Jules Stein threw a party for her at his mansion, an unheard of honor for a newcomer. November 17, 1981. However, Holden wasnt one to settle for good enough, and so, he decided to put everything on the line for his next film. Virginia Holden Gaines shared some insight into the caring, sensitive man that her father was off-screen. By 1972, Bill and Brenda had parted and he began dating Hart to Hart actress Stefanie Powers, who wrote about their romance in her 2011 memoir One From the Hart. Bill died on Nov. 12, 1981, bleeding out from a gash to his head he sustained while drinking. Holden and Hepburn were reunited on screen in Paris When it Sizzles which was released in 1964 after spending years on the cutting room floor. 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. And so tonight, my golden boy, you got your wish". Why did William Holden bleed to death? The two Hollywood stars had a significant age gap, but it was overcome by all that they shared and had in common. Needless to say, the move didnt improve his relationship with his wife. He writes: 'A synthetic cordiality filled the room. The rest of his career wouldnt go this smoothly, however. He adopted his wife's daughter, Virginia, from her first marriage with actor Richard Gaines. Holden's first film back from the services was Blaze of Noon (1947), an aviator picture at Paramount directed by John Farrow. Born on April 17, 1918, in O'Fallon, Illinois, William Holden grew up with his two younger brothers Richard and Robert. At that point Mel Ferrer re-entered her life. The Guy With The GrinWilliam Holden - Vintage Paparazzi He was named one of the "Top 10 Stars of the Year" six times (19541958, 1961), and appeared as 25th on the American Film Institute's list of 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema. Neither did Toward the Unknown (1957), the one film Holden produced himself. His next film, Born Yesterday, not only gave him another boost in popularity, but it also gave him the opportunity to befriend his co-stars, Judy Holliday and Broderick Crawford. 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. With his relationship falling apart, Holden began looking for other ways to fill the hole in his heart. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. Forensic evidence recovered at the scene suggested that he was conscious for at least half an hour after the fall. She Doesn't Have a Spouse but Was in a Relationship with Andrei Nikolajevic, Charles Bronsons 2nd Wife Left Her Family for Him & Hid Her Ex-lover Who Disclosed Their Affair Years Later, Jackie Kennedy 'Wasn't Nave' of JFK Affairs & Wanted to Divorce Twice Though Stayed Married Until His Passing, Michael J Fox Was Isolating Himself From Wife of 34 Years & Kids - She Helped Him to Become Part Of Family Again. Many grieved his passing, including his good friend, President Ronald Reagan. His bloodshot eyes underscored his angst. When Holden awoke, he had devastating news for his wife. That same year, Columbia Pictures was in desperate need of a leading man for their upcoming movie, Golden Boy. But even then, Bill had a reputation as a hard drinker. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. The comments below have not been moderated, By
[1] He had two younger brothers, Robert Westfield Beedle and Richard Porter Beedle. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's autopsy report, Holden bled to death in his apartment in Santa Monica, California, on November 12, 1981, after lacerating his forehead from slipping on a rug while intoxicated and hitting a bedside table. American actor William Holden circa 1965.| Getty Images. 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. 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 . For a number of years, exhibitors voted Holden among the most popular stars in the country: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, Venice Film Festival Special Award for Ensemble Acting, Laurel Award for Top Male Dramatic Performance, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, "William Holden Dead at 63; Won Oscar for 'Stalag 17', "Barbara Stanwyck's Honorary Award: 1982 Oscars", "The Screen Strand Shows 'Invisible Stripes', William Holden Academy Awards Acceptance Speech, "30 Days, 30 Classics Day 17: Sabrina (1954) starring Audrey Hepburn, William Holden and Humphrey Bogart", "Screen: Crosby Acts in 'Country Girl'; Film Based on Odets Drama Makes Bow", "The Screen in Review; 'Bridges at Toko-ri' Is Fine Film of War", "Han Suyin dies at 95; wrote 'Many-Splendored Thing', "13 Fascinating Facts About 'The Bridge on the River Kwai', "Columbia Earns as It Holds Coin Due Bill Holden on 10% of 'Kwai', "The Towering Inferno Movie Review (1974)", "Network Movie Review & Film Summary (1976)", "William Holden Gave His All Even "When Time Ran Out", "When Alcoholics drink themselves to death", "William Holden's Unscripted Fall From Grace", The William Holden Wildlife Education Center, "West Holden: More than just the son of William Holden", Image of William Holden and Brenda Marshall, Academy Awards, Los Angeles, 1951, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Holden&oldid=1149352151, episode: "William Holden/Frances Bergen Show", This page was last edited on 11 April 2023, at 17:56. [23][24] Picnic was his last film under the contract with Columbia. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Billy Wilder, US, 1954; 113m. Brief Synopsis A man visits his daughter on an African wildlife reserve to make sure she's not growing up too wild. Being a celebrity, Holden wasnt called to combat duty as hed hoped; instead, he spent his days starring in endless rounds of rallies, talent shows, and training films. The stress definitely didnt help him stay cool in front of the cameras either. The film truly catapulted Holden to fame, but it came with a costhis wife. Eventually, his acting career led him straight to the girl of his dreams. For television roles in 1974, Holden won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his portrayal of a cynical, tough veteran LAPD street cop in the television film The Blue Knight, based upon the bestselling Joseph Wambaugh novel of the same name.[32][3]. Holdens character, Sefton, was always center stage and in the spotlight. Birth: 1937: Relatives. From the Archives: Actor William Holden Found Dead at Home We had come back from location that Friday and he wasnt returning my phone calls, says Stefanie, who made several attempts to rouse him. The best revenge might be living well, but that doesn't mean we can always turn the other cheek. He burst onto the scene with his role in Golden Boy in 1939. But beyond his acting endeavors, Holden is also remembered by his loved ones with fondness. After the Korean War, there were parts of Southeast Asia Bill was interested in going to, says Stefanie. Still, I feel in my . 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. "Fame did not interest him," the actor's daughter, Virginia Holden Gaines, exclusively tells Closer in the latest issue, on newsstands now, adding that her father initially tried acting to. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! His Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki (founded 1959) was popular with the international jet set. Holden died in November 1981 from a head wound that he had sustained while drinking. The script excited Holden. [47] Rumors existed that he was suffering from lung cancer, which Holden had denied at a 1980 press conference. When she received her Honorary Oscar at the 1982 Academy Award ceremony, Holden had died in an accident just a few months prior. Holden was skeptical at first; he went to see the play himself and was so bored that he admitted to walking out during the first act. During one scene in Sunset Boulevard, Holden needed to kiss his co-star, Gloria Swanson. At home, Virginia, who was adopted by Bill after he married her mother, Brenda Marshall, in 1941, blossomed with his love and support. It was a big hit, as was The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), a Korean War drama with Kelly.[20][21]. [7] In 1941, Marshall married actor William Holden, who adopted Virginia Gaines (born November 17, 1937, New York City). Thanks to his daily morning tirades, Holden gradually lost faith in his own abilities. 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. Needless to say, Holden could barely afford his new home. When Holden realized that he and Crawford shared a similar distaste for Cohn, the two became fast friends. The two starred in the films The Lion (1962) and The 7th Dawn (1964). 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. Luckily for him, his wife had no idea that hed cheated on her. 'He told her that the one thing, the only thing they could not have together, was children. Closer Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Although the next few films he worked on didnt have the impact of Sunset Boulevard, Holden still managed to do reasonably well. Feeling guilty over this dalliance, Holden began to rely even more on drinking. William Holden's Daughter and Girlfriend Share Fond Memories In an attempt to stay in character, Holden spent most of his time being withdrawn and dour. [9] RKO borrowed him for Rachel and the Stranger (1948) with Robert Mitchum and Loretta Young. In private, Holden and Kelly carried on with their affair, while publicly denying having a relationship with one another. Holden needed to find a film to save him from the financial hole hed dug himself into. He would recall the fixed expression in her eyes; how she stood looking at him like a hurt, bewildered child.'. Holden had a supporting role in Ashanti (1979) and was third-billed in another disaster film, When Time Ran Out (1980), which was a flop. When Cohn asked Holden if he could act, Holden answered, Im not sure. Luckily, his endearing honesty and good looks won Cohn over. "[18] Rumors at the time had it that Hepburn wanted a family, but when Holden told her that he had had a vasectomy and having children was impossible, she moved on. The guilt of it nearly destroyed him, and it haunted him even after his service ended. Holden's dad, after years of working in a lab that exposed him to a concoction of dangerous chemicals, contracted pneumosilicosis. [22] The golden run at the box office continued with Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), from a bestselling novel, with Jennifer Jones, and Picnic (1955), as a drifter, in an adaptation of the William Inge play with Kim Novak. Holden met French actress Capucine in the early 1960s. Dec. 2, 1981 The late actor William Holden left $250,000 to his. He made two more films with Olson: Force of Arms (1951) at Warner Bros. and Submarine Command (1951) at Paramount. In September of 1945, Holden eagerly returned to his acting career. 20:29 BST 26 Feb 2015. 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. At Paramount, he was in a comedy with Ginger Rogers that was not particularly popular, Forever Female (1953). Italy (UPI) -An Italian prosecutor has recommended ttiat American actor William Holden be charged with manslaughter hi the July 2fi deaih of a motorist whose car Hoi- ' den's Ferrari sideswiped on the Florence - Viareggion Super 1 highway. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. This mightve explained Holdens next strange and unexpected decision. I particularly enjoyed when he was playful. Wilder convinced Holden to read the films version of the script. Audrey Hepburn's and William Holden's love affair revealed in new book I am positive Stefanie Powers is involved in the death of actor William Holden and have known this for around 5 or 6 months now. In 1950, Holdens luck took a turn for the better when director Billy Wilder asked him to take the lead role in Sunset Boulevard. The one that finally captured his heart, however, was the beautiful actress, Brenda Marshall. At Paramount, he did another Western, Streets of Laredo (1949). Please submit feedback to [email protected]. All Rights Reserved, Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google, Out and About with Lucille Ball and Her Celebrity Friends, Photo by 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Hawaii Adventures! In 1938, Holdens life changed when he caught the eye of Milt Lewis, a talent scout for Paramount. BTS: A clip was posted to Twitter by someone who was in . WILLIAM HOLDEN DEAD AT 63; WON OSCAR FOR 'STALAG 17' - New York Times He was from a better background than Holden as well and his father was a well known Cuban American surgeon. He became increasingly irritable, isolating himself from his friends and unable to face their questions. Hepburn was pleased to see the troubled actor and director because his 'attentiveness and sense of romantic urgency' was the perfect tonic to Holden. He began wooing a beautiful actress he was working with on Stalag 17and eventually invited her to his dressing room for an afternoon romance. Holden was reunited with Wilder in Stalag 17 (1953), for which Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Despite the differences in our ages, we shared many of the same curiosities about life, Stefanie tells Closer. A 23-year-old woman who was badly injured in the Holden is in a critical condition and has been taken to Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital. But there was still something eating at him. Jackie O tapes to reveal her and JFK's affairs and who she believed was Holden then started dating Stefanie Powers, known for her role in "Hart to Hart.". Now richer and more famous than ever, Holden began taking more and more film roles abroad. "[13], His success in Stalag 17 ushered in the peak years of Holden's stardom. Neither was The Revengers (1972), another Western. Jennifer Jones reportedly chewed garlic cloves before her love scenes with William Holden, which may have been an effort to deter her notoriously womanizing co-star. A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: THE LAST DAYS OF WILLIAM HOLDEN - Blogger "The only thing I'm ashamed of in the book is William Holden," she starts in, her raucous laughter cutting through the noise of a matinee luncheon crowd. We loved it. After taking on two small roles in 1939, Holden was desperate to push his acting career forward.