Earl Holliman’s journey to Hollywood is a story of determination and unwavering ambition. In 1943, at just 14 years old, Holliman set his sights on becoming a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, not Shreveport as often reported, Holliman embarked on his path to Hollywood by making several stops along the way.
LIFE
IN HOLLYWOOD
Holliman’s first attempt at breaking into Hollywood didn’t go as planned, leading him to briefly return home before enlisting in the Navy. However, his dream of becoming a movie star never wavered. He later returned to Los Angeles, where he studied at the Pasadena Playhouse and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Holliman’s persistence paid off as he built an impressive filmography with roles in movies like “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder.” He also became well-known for his television work, notably starring alongside Angie Dickinson in “Police Woman” and with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward in “The Thorn Birds.”
Holliman fondly remembers his early days in Hollywood, especially his first morning in El Monte. Wearing a short-sleeved silk shirt and dark glasses, he strutted past Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, wondering if people mistook him for a star. It was a moment filled with the innocent dreams of youth.
To see how Earl Holliman looks today at 95, take a look below:
