William Holden Wiki: In the 1950s, William Holden was one of the most exciting Actors in Hollywood. Holden was born William Franklin Beedle Jr. on April 17, 1918, in O’Fallon, Illinois. His charismatic personality made a big difference in the entertainment business. His family tree went back to England in the 17th century. Growing up, he was known to be close to his family, especially his two younger brothers.
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During World War II, Robert, his brother, died, which was a sad time for the family. William’s family moved to South Pasadena when he was only three. He chose to go to Pasadena Junior College after he graduated from South Pasadena High School. During his college years, he became more and more interested in playing. He participated in local radio plays, which may have made him want to be an actress.
William Holden Wiki/Bio
| William Holden Wiki and Biography | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Franklin Beedle, Jr. |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1918 |
| Place of Birth | O’Fallon, Illinois |
| Parents | Mary Blanche Beedle & William Franklin Beedle |
| Siblings | Robert Westfield Beedle, Richard Porter Beedle |
| Ancestral Origin | England & Virginia’s Lancaster County |
| School | South Pasadena High School |
| College | Pasadena Junior College |
| First Love Interest | Eva May Hoffman |
| Marriage | Brenda Marshall (1941-1971) |
| Children | Peter, Scott, & a daughter from a previous relationship |
| Affairs | Capucine, Stefanie Powers |
| Philanthropic Endeavors | Wildlife Conservation & William Holden Wildlife Foundation |
| Residences | Switzerland, Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki |
William Holden Height, Weight, and More
William Holden looked different from other actors, which made him stand out on the big screen. Because he was tall and had sharp features, he was a well-known person in his time. Fans and researchers might argue about his height and weight during his best years, but there’s no denying his physical appearance made him attractive.
| William Holden Height, Weight, and More | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) |
| Weight | 185 lbs (84 kg) |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Distinctive Feature | Sharp Jawline |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Diet Preference | Omnivore |
William Holden Career Information
William Holden’s journey in movies has been nothing but impressive. Barbara Stanwyck was also in his first movie, “Golden Boy,” in 1939. People knew how good he was as an actor, and soon, he worked with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Some of the great movies he was in are “Sunset Boulevard,” “Stalag 17,” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” But Holden didn’t just do movies. He also did TV, and his work in the drama “The Blue Knight” was praised.
| William Holden Career Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Debut Movie | Golden Boy (1939) |
| Popular Movies | Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17, Sabrina |
| Awards | Academy Award, Primetime Emmy Award |
| Television Ventures | The Blue Knight (miniseries) |
| Collaborations | Barbara Stanwyck, Capucine, Stefanie Powers |
| Box Office Achievements | Top 10 Stars of the Year (six times) |
| Significant Film Studios | Columbia, Warner Bros., Paramount |
| Retirement Year | Did not formally retire |
| Last Appearance | S.O.B. (1981) |
William Holden Net Worth Information
William Holden made a lot of money because he did well in movies. Aside from the money he made from film, he did other things that added to his wealth, such as working with the Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki.
He was also an operating partner in a place in Africa where animals were kept safe. He was one of the wealthiest actors of his time because of these investments and the parts he kept getting in hit movies.
| William Holden Net Worth Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Source of Wealth | Acting |
| Secondary Ventures | Mount Kenya Safari Club, Animal Conservation |
| Real Estate Investments | Properties in Switzerland & Nanyuki |
| Endorsements | Several (brands undisclosed) |
| Highest-Grossing Film | The Bridge on the River Kwai |
| Financial Legacy | William Holden Wildlife Foundation |
| Charitable Donations | Wildlife conservation initiatives |
| Estimated Net Worth at Peak | $50 million (adjusted for inflation) |
| Assets Sold | Some real estate properties |
| Estate Value at Time of Passing | Estimated $40 million (adjusted for inflation) |
10 Interesting Facts about William Holden:
- William Holden’s birth name was William Franklin Beedle, Jr.
- He began his acting journey in local radio plays during college.
- Holden was best friends with former President Ronald Reagan.
- His deep concern for wildlife led him to set up the Mount Kenya Game Ranch.
- He was deeply affected by the tragic demise of his brother during World War II.
- Holden’s role in “Golden Boy” marked his first significant foray into cinema.
- He was responsible for a tragic car accident in Italy in 1966.
- William Holden’s legacy continues through the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.
- Holden’s passion for animal welfare deeply influenced actress Stefanie Powers.
- Holden had a vasectomy, which affected his relationship dynamics with Stefanie Powers.
Conclusion
William Holden’s life shows the ups and downs of being a star. Even though he was a great actor and hit the top of success, he also had to deal with problems in his personal life. This Hollywood star showed a different side through his work to protect wildlife and his impact in this area.
Holden is still a fascinating and admired figure, whether because of his movie parts, love life, or his work for charity. His story isn’t just about being an actor; it’s about a complex person whose influence goes beyond movies.
