Earl Holliman’s path to Hollywood showcases his strong will and aspirations. At the young age of 14 in 1943, he was set on becoming a film actor.
He grew up in Oil City and Mooringsport, not Shreveport as commonly stated, and eventually made his journey to Hollywood by making several stops along the way.
He first visited family in Camden, Arkansas, then rode a bus to Texarkana, Texas. After that, he hitchhiked to Hollywood.
Holliman managed to save money by working as a theater usher and on the night shift at a cafe close to Barksdale Air Force Base. He also found a potential place to stay in El Monte, California, through a serviceman he met at the cafe. However, El Monte was quite far from Hollywood. Looking back on his journey, Holliman acknowledges that it was a risky decision, and not something he would recommend doing today.
LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD
Holliman’s initial try in Hollywood didn’t succeed, so he briefly went back home before joining the Navy. Nevertheless, his aspiration to become a movie star never diminished. Eventually, he came back to Los Angeles and pursued studies at the Pasadena Playhouse and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Holliman’s determination led to success. He created a remarkable list of films, such as “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder.” He also gained recognition for his TV appearances, especially with Angie Dickinson in “Police Woman” and with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward in “The Thorn Birds.”
Holliman remembers his first days in Hollywood with nostalgia, especially his initial morning in El Monte. Wearing a short-sleeved silk shirt and dark glasses, he walked confidently in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, imagining if passersby thought he was a famous actor. This was a time when he was filled with the pure aspirations of youth.
To catch a glimpse of Earl Holliman’s appearance at the age of 95, take a look below:
