Earl Holliman, the handsome actor who won a Golden Globe for his supporting role in “The Rainmaker” and appeared in numerous Westerns and dozens of films including “Giant” and “Forbidden Planet,” died Monday in Studio City. He was 96.
His partner Craig Curtis announced his death.
Holliman also starred in the first episode of “The Twilight Zone” in 1959.
Curtis recounted that in a letter to Holliman, Serling later wrote, “…your performance was outstanding, full of dimension, shading and a fantastic believability. In short, Holliman, you’re one hell of an actor!”
Some of his other film credits include “Broken Lance,” “The Bridges at Toko-Ri,” “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” “Don’t Go Near the Water,” “Last Train from Gun Hill,” “The Sons of Katie Elder” and “Sharky’s Machine.”
In television, he had a recurring role on “Police Woman” and also appeared in “Hotel de Paree” and “Wide Country.”
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1977.
In 1956’s “The Rainmaker,” he won the role of Jim Curry over Elvis Presley, who had also been up for the part.
He was raised in Oil City, La., and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 15 during WWII where he mingled with stars at the famous Hollywood Canteen. The Navy discovered his age a year later and he was discharged, only to re-enlist after he graduated high school.
He returned to Los Angeles and trained at the Pasadena Playhouse and UCLA. While working at North American Aviation, he snuck onto the Paramount lot and meet Paul Nathan, associate producer for Hall Wallis, who gave him his first role in Martin & Lewis’ “Scared Stiff.”
Holliman also appeared in numerous stage productions and created the Fiesta Dinner Playhouse in San Antonio, Texas. He also recorded several songs under contract for Capitol Records.
A longtime animal rights activist, he served as president of Actors and Others for Animals for 34 years and worked with Dian Fossey to help save mountain gorillas. Curtis recalled that Holliman said one of the proudest moments of his life was “Going up the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda with Dian to help raise awareness for the plight of her gorillas.”
Later in life, he continued to respond to autograph requests and share anecdotes of his meetings with stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.
Curtis remembered him as “a gracious, kind confidant, a consummate host, a man whose indefatigable positivity was evergreen and powered by a 1000-watt smile, an easy charm and infectious goodwill. A joy and a privilege to spend time with, he was even-keeled and compassionate, possessing a deep sensitivity and mischievous sense of humor which were belied by his stoically handsome countenance.”
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