Person biography:
Earl Holliman was born in northeast Louisiana, the youngest of ten children. His father died before his birth, and his mother was forced to give up seven of her children to make ends meet. Earl was adopted by an oil-field worker named Henry Earl Holliman and his wife Velma, who raised him in Louisiana and Arkansas. Despite his difficult childhood, Earl found happiness and inspiration in his adoptive parents.
As a teenager, Earl became passionate about entertaining and began working as a magician's assistant. He ran away from home to pursue a career in Hollywood, but was unsuccessful and eventually enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. After being discharged, Earl returned to Louisiana and reenlisted in the Navy, where he was cast in several productions and eventually discovered his passion for acting.
Earl attended USC and studied acting at UCLA Drama School and the Pasadena Playhouse, working as a file clerk and airplane builder to support himself. He began his career in uncredited film roles, eventually rising to prominence in the 1950s with roles in westerns, war dramas, and comedies. He won a Golden Globe for his support performance in "The Rainmaker" and continued to provide strong support to big-name stars throughout the late 1950s.
In the 1960s, Earl's film offers began to dry up, but he found success on television, starring in the short-lived western series "Hotel de Paree" and appearing in numerous guest roles on popular shows. He also had a successful music career, releasing a record and touring in the musical "Oklahoma."
In the 1970s, Earl starred in the popular series "Police Woman" alongside Angie Dickinson, and continued to appear in films and television shows throughout the decade. He also owned and performed at the Fiesta Dinner Playhouse, a dinner theater in the late 1970s.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Earl continued to work in television, appearing in the acclaimed miniseries "The Thorn Birds" and starring in several drama series, including "P.S.I. Luv U," "Delta," and "NightMan." He also made appearances on popular shows such as "Murder, She Wrote" and "Caroline in the City."
Earl retired from acting in the early 2000s, shortly after appearing in the films "Bad City Blues" and "The Perfect Tenant."
