Earl Holliman, the versatile actor whose career spanned more than five decades and included iconic roles in both film and television, has died at the age of 96.
Holliman died Monday in hospice care at his home in Studio City, as confirmed by his partner Craig Curtis. The Hollywood Reporter.
Holliman’s career was marked by a series of memorable performances, including his Golden Globe-winning role in The Rainmaker (1956), in which he played Katharine Hepburn’s sweet, girl-crazy brother.
His portrayal of Jim Curry, which he won against Elvis Presley, won him the award for Best Supporting Actor.
The following year, Holliman cemented his place in Hollywood history with his portrayal of Wyatt Earp’s assistant in Gunfight at the OK Corral (1957), a classic Western that remains a fan favorite.
He also made an unforgettable appearance in the very first episode of The Twilight Zone (1959), further demonstrating his range as an actor.
Earl Holliman, the versatile actor whose career spanned more than five decades and included iconic roles in both film and television, has died at the age of 96; (pictured in 2015)
Holliman died Monday in hospice care at his home in Studio City, as confirmed by his partner Craig Curtis; (seen in The Twilight Zone)
In 1956, Holliman co-starred with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson in the epic Giant, a film that would become one of the defining works of 1950s cinema.
Perhaps one of his most enduring roles came in the 1970s when he played Angie Dickinson’s tough, no-nonsense boss in the groundbreaking crime series Police Woman (1974), a role that made him a household name for a new generation of viewers.
Holliman’s filmography includes a string of notable credits, such as Broken Lance (1954), The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), Last Train from Gun Hill (1959), The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), and Sharky’s Machine (1981). .
He also had recurring roles in television series such as Hotel de Paree and Wide Country, further establishing himself as a reliable and beloved fixture on both the big and small screens.
A true Hollywood icon, Holliman was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1977, further cementing his legacy in the entertainment world.
Holliman grew up in Oil City, Louisiana, and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II at the age of fifteen. Variety.
While stationed in Hollywood, he rubbed shoulders with stars at the famous Hollywood Canteen.
However, his true age was discovered after a year, leading to his dismissal, after which he was able to re-enlist after graduating high school.
Holliman’s career was marked by a series of memorable performances, including his Golden Globe-winning role in The Rainmaker (1956), in which he played Katharine Hepburn’s sweet, girl-crazy brother.
Perhaps one of his most enduring roles came in the 1970s when he played Angie Dickinson’s tough, no-nonsense boss in the groundbreaking crime series Police Woman (1974), a role that made him a household name for a new generation of viewers.
Curtis remembered him as “a gracious, kind confidante, a consummate host, a man whose tireless positivity was evergreen and powered by a 1,000-watt smile, an easy charm and infectious goodwill” (pictured in 1987).
Upon returning to Los Angeles, Holliman took up acting and studied at the Pasadena Playhouse and UCLA.
While working at North American Aviation to make ends meet, he managed to sneak onto the Paramount Studios lot, where he met Paul Nathan, an associate producer for Hal Wallis.
This meeting led to his first film role in the Martin and Lewis comedy Scared Stiff.
Curtis remembered him as “a gracious, kind confidant, a consummate host, a man whose tireless positivity was evergreen and powered by a 1,000-watt smile, an easy charm and infectious goodwill.”