Earl Holliman, the actor known for his role as Lieutenant Bill Crowley in NBC’s “Police Woman” and his appearance in the debut episode of “The Twilight Zone,” passed away on November 25 at his Studio City, California residence. Holliman, who won a Golden Globe, was 96.
Craig Curtis, Holliman’s partner, confirmed his death, stating that Holliman died while receiving hospice care.
Holliman, originally named Henry Earl Holliman, was born on September 11, 1928, in Delhi, Louisiana. He was adopted from an orphanage when he was just a week old, with his adoptive parents paying $7.50 for the ailing 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 shared.
At 14, Holliman’s journey to acting started when he hitchhiked from Texarkana, Texas to Hollywood after his father’s demise. Although he was persuaded to return home and eventually became the senior class president at Oil City High School, his aspiration to act persisted.
Holliman served in the U.S. Navy before studying at the Pasadena Playhouse. His breakthrough occurred in 1956 when he secured a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Katharine Hepburn’s lively younger brother in “The Rainmaker,” a role he won over Elvis Presley.
His film career took off with parts in “Giant” (1956) with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” (1957) alongside Burt Lancaster, and “The Sons of Katie Elder” (1965) featuring John Wayne.
Holliman’s television career brought him lasting fame. He was remembered as the lead in the first “Twilight Zone” episode, “Where Is Everybody?” which aired on October 2, 1959. In the episode, he portrayed an amnesiac roaming a strangely deserted town.
Holliman was most renowned for his role as Lieutenant Bill Crowley on “Police Woman” (1974-1978), portraying the superior officer of Angie Dickinson.
Outside of his acting career, Holliman ran the Fiesta Dinner Theatre in San Antonio and served as the president of Actors and Others for Animals for 34 years. His humanitarian efforts earned him the position of national honorary chairman for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
His television roles extended to shows such as “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “The Fugitive,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Empty Nest.” He was nominated for another Golden Globe in 1993 for his role in the ABC series “Delta,” starring Delta Burke.
Speaking to Variety when Holliman was 85, Curtis described him as a kind and gracious confidant, a model host and a man with a relentlessly positive demeanor that shone like a 1000-watt smile. He was described as being balanced, caring, with a deep sensitivity and a humorous side that contrasted with his strong and handsome exterior.
