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Earl Holliman, the square-jawed actor best known for co-starring Angie Dickinson on TV’s “Policewoman,” died Monday while receiving hospice care at his home in Studio City, California. He was 96 years old.
His death was confirmed by THR by his partner, Craig Curtis.
Holliman has many impressive credits, most notably as the star of “Where Is Everybody?,” one of the first and best episodes of the television classic “The Twilight Zone.” . The episode, which aired on October 2, 1959, followed a lonely man who suddenly found himself on a dirt road. He has no idea who he is or where he is and keeps seeing a figure who turns out to be a mannequin. Eventually, he is revealed to be a member of the US Air Force who was hallucinating in an isolation room ahead of a trip to the moon.
In 1957, he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in The Rainmaker (1956), co-starring Katharine Hepburn.
The same year that Rainmaker was released, he appeared in the classic film Giant, playing the son-in-law of the characters played by Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.
Holliman was born on September 11, 1928 in Derry, Louisiana. After lying about his age and serving in the military, he pursued his dream of acting in Hollywood, studying acting and attending college.
Holliman made her film debut in 1953’s Scared Stiff, co-starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. A tough guy who is easily typecast, he frequently appears as a soldier or a cowpoke. Early films include “The Bridge” (1954), “I’ve Died a Thousand Times” (1955), “Forbidden Planet” (1956), and “Shoot at the O.K. Corral” (1957). ), “Destinations to visit,” etc. “Small Planet” (1960).
He made his first regular appearance on television as the star of the western “Hotel des Palais” (1959-1960), and played another cowboy in “Wide Country” (1962-1963).
After appearing in the films “The Sons of Katie Elder” (1965), “The Deadly Mission” (1969) and “The Biscuit Eater” (1972), he played Sergeant Bill Crowley in “Police Woman.” was cast in the role. The show, which aired from 1974 to 1978, was a groundbreaking depiction of a character in charge of a woman (played by movie star Angie Dickinson). Along with Dickinson, Holliman appeared in all 91 episodes.
In 1977, Holliman bravely played the role of a well-meaning gay elder statesman in the sleazy television miniseries Alexander: Beyond the Dawn, starring Lee McCloskey as a gay male hustler. Holliman never came out publicly, but she played a great role model who never took advantage of McCloskey’s character Alexander, and actually drove him away from sex work and out of town.
Perhaps his most-watched television appearance was in 1983 in the massive miniseries “The Thorn Birds,” co-starring Richard Chamberlain and Barbara Stanwyck.
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During this period, Holliman used his wits on game shows such as “The $10,000 Pyramid,” where he helped numerous contestants win the top prize.
From 1992 to 1993, she played a major supporting role in the Delta Burke series Delta, for which she earned her second Golden Globe nomination.
His last works include two episodes of “Murder, She Wrote” (1992 and 1994), “Caroline in the City” (1996-1999) and “The Nightman” (1997). – 1999), which included appearances in the “Chicken Soup for the City” series. Soul” (2000).
After appearing in the film The Perfect Tenant in 2000, Holliman retired, but still appeared at occasional autograph sessions and managed the Fiesta Dinner Theater in San Antonio, Texas.
Holliman, widely known for his dedication to animal causes, including his work as president of Actors and Others for Animals, survives Curtis.
