Earl Holliman, the Golden Globe-winning actor who starred as Lieutenant Bill Crowley on NBC’s “Police Woman” and appeared in the first-ever episode of “The Twilight Zone,” died November 25 at his home in Studio City, California. He was 96.
His death was confirmed by his spouse, Craig Curtis, who said Holliman passed away while in hospice care.
Born Henry Earl Holliman on September 11, 1928, in Delhi, Louisiana, he was placed in an orphanage and adopted when he was just a week old. His adoptive parents paid $7.50 for the sickly infant. “I had wonderful parents who gave me all the love in the world. They encouraged me to be whatever I can be. I was their only child,” Holliman recalled.
His path to acting began at age 14 when, shortly after his father’s death, he hitchhiked from Texarkana, Texas to Hollywood. Though he was convinced to return home, where he became senior class president at Oil City High School, his dream of acting never wavered.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Holliman studied at the Pasadena Playhouse. His breakthrough came in 1956 when he won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor as Katharine Hepburn’s spirited younger brother in “The Rainmaker” – a role he secured over Elvis Presley.
His film career flourished with roles in “Giant” (1956) alongside Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” (1957) with Burt Lancaster, and “The Sons of Katie Elder” (1965) with John Wayne.
Television brought Holliman enduring fame. He made history as the star of the inaugural “Twilight Zone” episode, “Where Is Everybody?” which aired October 2, 1959. He played an amnesiac wandering through an eerily empty town.
His most recognized role came as Lieutenant Bill Crowley on “Police Woman” (1974-1978), where he played Angie Dickinson’s superior officer.
Beyond acting, Holliman operated the Fiesta Dinner Theatre in San Antonio and served as president of Actors and Others for Animals for 34 years. He received recognition for his humanitarian work as the national honorary chairman for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
His television career included appearances on “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “The Fugitive,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Empty Nest.” Holliman received another Golden Globe nomination in 1993 for the ABC series “Delta” starring Delta Burke.
According to Variety, at age 85, Holliman’s spouse Curtis reflected on his partner as a gracious and kind confidant, an exemplary host, and a man whose unwavering positivity radiated like a 1000-watt smile. With effortless charm and a contagious goodwill, he was a delight and a privilege to be around. Curtis described him as balanced and caring, with a profound sensitivity and a playful sense of humor that contrasted with his strong and handsome appearance.
