Earl Holliman’s journey to Hollywood is a tale of ambition and determination. At 14, in 1943, Holliman was resolute about becoming a movie star. Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, not Shreveport as often claimed, he traversed multiple locations before finally reaching Hollywood.
First, he visited relatives in Camden, Arkansas, and then took a bus to Texarkana. From there, he caught a rideshare to Hollywood. Having worked the night shift at a diner near Barksdale Air Force Base and as a theater usher, Holliman had saved some money. A serviceman he met at the café even gave him a lead on a place to stay, though it was in El Monte, California, quite far from Hollywood. Reflecting on his journey, Holliman admits it was a risky decision that wouldn’t be wise today.
**Life in Hollywood**
After his first attempt in Hollywood failed, Holliman returned home briefly before joining the Navy. However, his dream of stardom never faded. He later returned to Los Angeles to study at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Pasadena Playhouse.
Holliman’s perseverance paid off. He landed roles in notable films such as “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder.” He also became known for his television work, particularly in “Police Woman” with Angie Dickinson and “The Thorn Birds” with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.
Holliman fondly recalls his early days in Hollywood, 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 mistook him for a celebrity—a moment filled with the naive hopes of youth.
Here is Earl Holliman at 95:
