William Holden Wiki, Age, Bio, Height, Wife, Career, and Net Worth 

William Holden was a well-known American actor. He earned an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1953 “Stalag 17.”

Wiki, Bio, Family, Siblings, Childhood & Education

William Holden, Jr., was born on April 17, 1918, in O’Fallon, Illinois, to parents Mary Blanche Beedle (previously, Ball, 1898-1990) and William Franklin Beedle (1891-1967). Mary, his mother, was a schoolteacher, while his father was an industrial chemist.

Robert Westfield Beedle (1921-1944) and Richard P. Beedle (1924-1964) were his two younger brothers. His younger brother Robert was a US Navy fighter pilot killed in action during WWII. When William was three years old, his family relocated to South Pasadena. William received his education at South Pasadena High School, and Pasadena Junior College, where he became involved in local radio plays.

William Holden’s Age, Height, Weight, and Body Dimensions

He, born on April 17, 1918, was 63 years old when he died. He stood 1.8 m tall and weighed 89 kg.

William Holden’s Profession & Career

William Holden’s career began in 1939 with an uncredited role in the films “Prison Farm” and “Million Dollar Legs.” His first major part was in the movie “Golden Boy” (1939). In the following years, he appeared in films such as “Arizona” (1940), “I Wanted Wings” (1941), “The Remarkable Andrew” (1942), and “Young and Willing” (1943). During WWII, William served as a second and later a first lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force.

He starred in the 1947 film “Blaze of Noon” after returning from service in the United States Army Air Force. In the following years, he appeared in films such as “The Dark Past” (1948), “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” (1949), and “Father Is a Bachelor” (1950). He rose to notoriety with his performance in the 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard,” which earned him his first Best Actor Oscar nomination. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Stalag 17” in 1953.

William was a significant financial success in the 1953 sex-comedy film “The Moon Is Blue.” He appeared in the movie “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” and “Picnic,” both of which were box office successes. His most prominent part was in the 1957 film “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” which garnered him commercial and critical acclaim. His role in the 1969 film “The Wild Bunch” was well acclaimed.

He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his performance in “The Blue Knight” (1974). His performance in the 1976 film “Network” also earned him an Oscar nomination. His final film role was in the 1981 film “S.O.B.”

William Holden’s Wife, Marriage & Relationship

In 1941, William Holden married renowned actress Ardis Ankerson (stage name Brenda Marshall). They were married for 30 years before divorcing in 1971. They had two sons: Peter Westfield “West” Holden (1943-2014) and Scott Porter Holden. He also adopted his wife’s previous marriage’s daughter, Virginia, from actor Richard Gaines. During the production of “Sabrina,” William had a brief affair with actress and co-star Audrey Hepburn (1954).

In the 1960s, he had a two-year affair with Capucine, a co-star in the films “The Lion” (1962) and “The Seventh Dawn” (1964). The relationship is said to have terminated due to William’s drunkenness. However, they remained friends until William died in 1981. He was also in a relationship with renowned actress Stefanie Powers from 1972 to 1981. On November 12, 1981, he died at his residence in Santa Monica, California, after he hit a bedside table while intoxicated and bled to death.

William Holden’s Salary and Net Worth

He has a net worth of $20 million as of July 2022. The majority of his earnings have come from his acting profession. He has excelled in commercial and critical films, winning the Best Actor Oscar in a Leading Role for his work in “Stalag 17.” In 1974, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in the television film “The Blue Knight.” He was one of the 1950s’ biggest box-office draws.

Quick Facts