The story of Earl Holliman’s journey to Hollywood is one of aspiration and perseverance. In 1943, Holliman was 14 years old and adamant about wanting to be a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, rather than Shreveport as is frequently stated, he traveled via a number of locations before arriving in Hollywood.
He first went to see relatives in Camden, Arkansas, and from there he bused himself to Texarkana. He took a rideshare to Hollywood from there.
Holliman had worked the night shift at a diner close to Barksdale Air Force Base and as a theater usher, so he had saved some money. A serviceman he met at the cafe even gave him a lead on a place to stay, which turned out to be in El Monte, California, a good distance from Hollywood. Looking back on his trip, Holliman acknowledges that it was a dangerous decision that wouldn’t be prudent in the modern day.
DAILY LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD
After his initial try in Hollywood failed, Holliman made a quick trip back home before deciding to serve in the Navy. But his desire to be a movie star never went away. Later on, he went back to Los Angeles to continue his education at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Pasadena Playhouse.
Holliman’s perseverance was rewarded. With parts in “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder,” he amassed an amazing reel of cinematic credits. Additionally, he gained recognition for his television appearances, most notably in “Police Woman” with Angie Dickinson and in “The Thorn Birds” with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.
Holliman remembers his Hollywood days fondly, especially his first morning there. Wearing dark glasses and a silk shirt with short sleeves, he strutted in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, wondering if anyone thought he was a celebrity. The naive hopes of youth were present in that moment.
Check out the image below to see Earl Holliman’s current age of 95:
Joy, the Heroic Pit Bull
A heartwarming tale from Minnesota showcases the incredible bond between a family and their adopted pit bull mix, Joy. Two years ago, Joy entered their lives and quickly became inseparable from the children, Emilly and Jonas. Little did they know, Joy would soon prove to be their hero.
One evening, as the family relaxed in the backyard, Joy’s persistent barking alerted them to a crisis upstairs. Rushing to investigate, they found Jonas unconscious in the bathtub, with Joy desperately trying to pull him to safety. Thanks to Joy’s quick thinking and unwavering loyalty, Jonas’s life was saved.
Reflecting on the incident, Jonas’s mother expressed profound gratitude, acknowledging that without Joy’s intervention, the outcome could have been tragic. This story highlights the profound love and protection dogs offer their families, reminding us to cherish these precious bonds and the joy they bring into our lives.
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