Hollywood's Golden Boy: The TRAGIC END of William Holden

The Truth About William Holden (1918 - 1981) William Holden Life Story
Debonair and world-weary, William Holden ruled Hollywood for decades. With a glint of steel in his gaze and a hint of cynicism in his smile, he embodied the complex heroes of a changing era. From charming screwball comedies to gritty war dramas, Holden captivated audiences with his effortless charisma and ability to navigate the light and dark sides of humanity.

Born William Franklin Beedle, Jr. in O'Fallon, Illinois on April 17, 1918, he was the eldest of three sons of William Franklin Beedle, Sr., an industrial chemist, and Mary Blanche Ball, a teacher. The family, who moved to Pasadena, California when he was three, was of English descent.

He plunged into high school and junior college sports activities as a means of "proving himself" to his demanding father. While studying chemistry at Pasadena Junior College, he became involved in local radio plays and with the Pasadena Playhouse, leading to his discovery by a talent scout from Paramount Pictures in 1937.

The handsome, earnest young William Holden had bits in Prison Farm (1938) and Million Dollar Legs (1939) before being chosen out of 65 candidates to play sensitive Joe Bonaparte in the Columbia production of Golden Boy.

There are very few "overnight" stars in Hollywood history; their creation is a convention generally reserved for the movies themselves. But William Holden beat the odds by achieving instant stardom with his first leading role, that of the wholesome young prizefighter who wants to be a violinist in Golden Boy (1939).

His inexperience made filming difficult, and after two weeks Columbia president Harry Cohn was ready to fire him, but costar Barbara Stanwyck, who had great faith in William Holden, persuaded the executive to relent. Although the film took some liberties with the Clifford Odets play, Holden's performance was singled out for near unanimous praise and Holden remained forever grateful to Stanwyck for "pulling him through" that picture.
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