Earl Holliman’s path to Hollywood is a classic tale of aspiration and relentless determination. In 1943, at the tender age of 14, Holliman was already resolute in his ambition to become a movie star.

Though often associated with Shreveport, Holliman’s roots were actually in Oil City and Mooringsport. His journey to Hollywood was anything but straightforward, taking him through various locations before finally reaching his destination. He first visited relatives in Camden, Arkansas, and from there, he took a bus to Texarkana. From Texarkana, he managed to catch a rideshare that would take him all the way to Hollywood.

Before embarking on this journey, Holliman had worked hard to save up some money. He worked the night shift at a diner near Barksdale Air Force Base and also as a theater usher. It was during one of these shifts that he met a serviceman who provided him with a lead on a place to stay, though it turned out to be in El Monte, California, quite a distance from Hollywood. Reflecting on this adventure, Holliman admits that it was a risky decision, one that he wouldn’t advise anyone to make in today’s world.

Life in Hollywood

Upon his arrival in Hollywood, things didn’t go as planned. His initial attempt to break into the movie business failed, leading him to return home briefly. Undeterred, Holliman decided to enlist in the Navy, but his dream of becoming a movie star remained ever-present. After his service, he returned to Los Angeles, where he pursued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Pasadena Playhouse.

Holliman’s persistence eventually paid off. He began landing roles in significant films, including “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder,” building an impressive portfolio of film credits. His talents also shone on television, with notable appearances in “Police Woman” alongside Angie Dickinson and “The Thorn Birds” with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.

Looking back on his time in Hollywood, Holliman recalls those days with fondness, particularly his first morning there. Donning dark glasses and a short-sleeved silk shirt, he strutted confidently in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, imagining that passersby might mistake him for a celebrity. That moment encapsulates the innocent optimism of youth—a time when dreams seemed just within reach.