Earl Holliman’s path to Hollywood is a compelling story of ambition and aspiration. At the age of 14 in 1943, he was resolute in his desire to become a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, often mistakenly identified as Shreveport, he embarked on his journey to Hollywood through several stops along the way. His adventure began with a trip to visit relatives in Camden, Arkansas, followed by a bus ride to Texarkana, Texas. From there, he hitchhiked to Hollywood.
Having saved some money working as a theater usher and during the night shift at a café near Barksdale Air Force Base, Holliman had also connected with a serviceman who offered a lead on a place to stay. However, this turned out to be in El Monte, California, a significant distance from Hollywood. Looking back, Holliman acknowledges that it was a risky decision, one that wouldn’t be advisable in today’s world.
His initial foray into Hollywood didn’t pan out, prompting him to return home briefly before enlisting in the Navy. Nevertheless, his dream of becoming an actor remained alive. He eventually made his way back to Los Angeles, where he honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Holliman’s determination paid off, leading to an impressive film career with notable roles in classics like “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet”, “The Rainmaker”, and “The Sons of Katie Elder”. He also became well-known on television, especially for his work alongside Angie Dickinson in “Police Woman” and with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward in “The Thorn Birds”.
He fondly reminisces about his early days in Hollywood, particularly his first morning in El Monte, when he wore a short-sleeved silk shirt and dark glasses while walking in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, fantasizing about being mistaken for a star. It was a moment filled with youthful dreams and innocence.
See below how Earl Holliman looks today at 96.
Nostalgia Alert: This Quirky Object Will Take You Back If You Grew Up in the ’50s, ’60s, or ’70s!
People who grew up in the 1950s and 1970s would probably remember this strange item that looked like a tool for woodworking. But in reality, this object had a different function.
Presenting the retro roller skates from bygone eras. There were these big and bulky roller skates long before the elegant and fashionable ones we see today. Users had to wear them over their shoes; they had a metal base with leather straps.
We’re going to reveal the intriguing secret behind these metal roller skates. An intriguing key was included with every pair, and this was quite important. Users could tighten or loosen the skates with this key. Sadly, one would have to buy a new pair of skates if they misplaced their key.
Maybe some of you have happy memories of these unique skates and the keys that came with them. Hold onto them if you chance to still have a pair, especially if it includes the key! In the future, these might certainly be valuable collectibles.
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