At the age of 14, in 1943, Earl Holliman set his sights on becoming a Hollywood star. His journey was one driven by determination and a dream to make it in the movies.

Born and raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, not Shreveport as often reported, Holliman embarked on a bold adventure that took him through several stops before finally reaching Hollywood.

His first destination was Camden, Arkansas, where he visited relatives. From there, he took a bus to Texarkana, eventually finding a rideshare that would take him all the way to Hollywood. Having saved some money from working night shifts at a diner near Barksdale Air Force Base and as a theater usher, Holliman was prepared for the trip. He even got a tip from a serviceman at the cafe about a place to stay, though it turned out to be in El Monte, California—quite a distance from Hollywood. Reflecting on his journey, Holliman admits that taking such risks would not be advisable today.

Life in Hollywood

Holliman’s first attempt at making it in Hollywood didn’t go as planned, prompting him to return home briefly. Soon after, he decided to enlist in the Navy, but his dream of becoming a movie star never faded. After his service, he returned to Los Angeles to further his education at UCLA and the Pasadena Playhouse, both renowned for producing top talent in the entertainment industry.

Holliman’s persistence paid off. He landed roles in major films such as Giant (1956), Forbidden Planet, The Rainmaker, and The Sons of Katie Elder, building an impressive resume in cinema. He also found success on television, notably starring in Police Woman alongside Angie Dickinson, and in The Thorn Birds with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.

Looking back on his early days in Hollywood, Holliman recalls one particularly memorable morning. Wearing dark sunglasses and a short-sleeved silk shirt, he confidently walked in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, secretly hoping someone would mistake him for a movie star. It was a moment filled with youthful hope and ambition—sentiments that have stuck with him through the years.

Now, at 95 years old, Earl Holliman looks back fondly on a life shaped by perseverance, risk-taking, and a relentless pursuit of his dreams.