William Holden was an American actor who had a 40 year career in films. He started working in local theatre and was spotted by a talent scout and signed by Paramount though in his early films he was shared with the other major studio's. After a couple of uncredited role his break came with Golden Boy with Barbara Stanwyck. He was inexperienced but Barbara Stanwyck saw his talent. Golden Boy became his nickname. He was popular at the box office but appeared in various films that did not challenge him. H served in the Army Air Corp during World War 2. Post war, his first major film was the film noir The Dark Past. IN 1950 he worked with director Billy Wilder in Sunset Boulevard, which was arguably his best performance and earned him an Oscar nomination. This was the film that made him a major star.
He did not want to play his character in Stalag 17 but his performance did win him an Oscar. He followed this with the romantic comedy Sabrina again directed by Billy Wilder. The Country Girl is a darked film despite having Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby. As a leading man he played opposite the top leading ladies of the time. He was the romantic lead in films like Love Is A Many Splendored Thing and Picnic. His performance in Bridge On The River Kwai was a change in style and he also negotiated a deal to get part of the profits. In the 1960's his career struggled due to alcoholism and depression. It was Sam Pekinpah's The Wild Bunch that got him back on track. With Network he got another Oscar nomination and the last of his significant films. His final film was S.O.B.
