William Holden

:For the North Carolina Governor by this name, please see William Woods Holden. For the California Lieutenant Governor by this name, please see William Holden (politician).

Hollywood's "Golden Boy"

His first starring role was in 1939's Golden Boy in which he played a boxer who wants to be a violinist. After Columbia Pictures picked up half of his contract he alternated between starring in several minor pictures for Paramount and Columbia before serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he acted in training films. Beginning in 1950 his career rebounded when Billy Wilder tapped him to star as the down at the heels screenwriter in Sunset Boulevard. Following this breakthrough he played a series of roles that mixed his good looks and cynical detachment, including the prisoner of war entrepreneur in Stalag 17 (for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor), the wandering braggard in Picnic and the ill-fated prisoner in The Bridge on the River Kwai. He also played a number of sunnier parts in light comedy with much success, such as the dashing architect in The Moon is Blue, the tutor in Born Yesterday and Humphrey Bogart's younger brother in Sabrina.

Related Topics:
1939 - Golden Boy - Columbia Pictures - Army Air Corps - World War II - Billy Wilder - Sunset Boulevard - Stalag 17 - Picnic - The Bridge on the River Kwai - The Moon is Blue - Born Yesterday - Humphrey Bogart - Sabrina

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However, Holden starred in more than his share of forgettable movies which he was forced into by studio contracts and suffered from alcoholism and severe depression for many years. By the early 1960s his roles were having less critical and commercial impact. In 1966 while in Italy Holden was involved in a serious car accident in which the other driver was killed. It was determined Holden had been driving under the influence of alcohol, he was charged with vehicular manslaughter and received an eight-month suspended prison sentence. Holden was overcome with guilt and friends said this led to even heavier drinking. The actor reportedly had another secret in his life: For many years he did undercover work for the CIA, delivering messages to foreign leaders during his travels.

Related Topics:
Alcoholism - Depression - Italy - Driving under the influence - CIA

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