William Holden: a Gorgeous Leading Man Quiz

Answer: April 17, 1918

William Holden was born in O'Fallon, Illinois into a weathly family, his father an industrial chemist and his mother a teacher, the oldest of three boys. He was first signed by Paramount in 1937.

Answer: William Franklin Beedle Jr.

William Holden, as he would later be called, was related to George Washington on his mother's side. He was named by Empire Magazine as #57 in their list of 100 Sexiest Stars in film history.

Answer: Prison Farm

In this film he played a prisoner but later on in his career would become a huge Hollywood box office hit and ladies would swoon.

Answer: False

He was married once to Brenda Marshall. He had two sons, Peter and Scott, and adopted Brenda's daughter from her first marriage. They were married until 1971 when they divorced. Later in life Stephanie Powers would become Bill's companion.

Answer: 3

He was nominated for Best Actor in 1951 for "Sunset Boulevard", 1953 for "Stalag 17", and again in 1977 for "Network".

Answer: Stalag 17

William Holden won the Best Actor Oscar in 1954 for his performance of Sgt. J.J. Sefton in the World War 2 drama 'Stalag 17'. This was his only Academy win.

Answer: True

Bill Holden appeared in episode 114 "L.A. At Last" when the Ricardos and Mertzes first arrive in Hollywood. Lucy desperately wants to see a movie star, so while Ricky is at MGM, Lucy and the Mertzes go to Hollywood's "watering hole", the famous Brown Derby. Lucy nearly dies when William Holden walks in and sits down in the booth next to her.

She can't keep her eyes off of this hunk of a movie star, and gives him a pie in the face as she leaves in a hurry. When she returns to the hotel, Ricky has brought home a surprise for his star struck wife, William Holden, who was more tnan happy to stop by after Ricky met him at the studio and told him about Lucy. To disguise herself (in one of the funniest bits of the entire show), Lucy puts on a fake nose and her hair up with horned rimmed glasses.

After Bill Holden realizes he had seen her somewhere he covers up by saying he had seen her and wanted to tell her that she should be in movies. This episode led to Lucy meeting the likes of Harpo Marx, John Wayne, Van Johnson, Rock Hudson, and Richard Widmark.

Answer: Joe Gillis

This is one of the best roles in William Holden's career, in a legendary film. He gives a wonderful portrayal of the down on his luck screenwriter who is looking for a hideout when he comes to a mansion on 'Sunset Blvd.' off a silent screen star (Gloria Swanson). Great film, with a great cast, director, and story.

Answer: S.O.B.

Released in 1981, Holden portrayed Tim Culley with Julie Andrews, Robert Loggia, Robert Preston and Shelley Winters.

Answer: November 1981

William Holden died from injuries in a fall, a laceration on his forehead. He was supposedly conscious for about a half an hour after the fall, but didn't know he should call for help. He was 63 years old. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.