He could play daring (
Stalag 17, 1953), dashing (
Sabrina, 1954), dangerous (
Picnic, 1955), dissipated (
Network, 1976), or all of the above (
Sunset Blvd., 1950), and all with professional panache, everyman charm and comfortable sexiness. He was
William Holden, often overlooked as one of the great movie stars from the last gasp of the studio system. If his splashy debut in 1939's
Golden Boy led to a disappointing string of mediocre films in the 1940's, then the back to back success of the brilliant
Sunset and the hysterical
Born Yesterday not only marked a glorious comeback for Gloria Swanson and the launch of Judy Holliday's stardom, but also a major career rejuvenation for Holden. From there, he went on to win an Oscar for
Stalag 17, and aside from the films referenced above, also starred in such critical and commercial successes as
The Country Girl (1954),
Love is a Many Splendored Thing (1955), and
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957).
By the early 1960's, however, it was all over. Despite only being in his mid-40's, Holden suddenly appeared too aged and tired to play the romantic lead; his two attempts with younger co-stars,
The World of Suzie Wong (1960) with Nancy Kwan and
Paris When it Sizzles (1962, released 1964) with Audrey Hepburn, merely served to drive the point embarassingly home. Unlike Gregory Peck or Cary Grant, who could convincingly woo pretty young things on film well into their fifties and sixties, Holden was an alcoholic, and the physical ravages of his disease were all too apparent on the screen.
Well-liked in the industry, Holden continued to work fairly consistently through the 1960's and 1970's, even though his leading man days were over. His startling turn in
Network earned him another Oscar nod, and the kind of critical kudos he had not received in decades. He died, five years later, after suffering a fall while alone and drunk in his apartment. Hitting his head on the edge of a table, he was either unaware of how severe the injury was, or unable to call for help, and died from the loss of blood. William Holden was 63 years old.
WILLIAM HOLDEN
April 17, 1918 - November 12, 1981
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