He was named one of the " Top 10 Stars of the Year " six times —, , and appeared as 25th on the American Film Institute 's list of 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema. Holden was born William Franklin Beedle Jr. One of his father's grandmothers, Rebecca Westfield, was born in England, while some of his mother's ancestors settled in Virginia's Lancaster County after emigrating from England in the 17th century. His family moved to South Pasadena when he was three.
A version of how he obtained his stage name "Holden" was given by George Ross of Billboard in "William Holden, the lad just signed for the coveted lead in Golden Boy , used to be Bill Beadle [ sic ].
And here is how he obtained his new movie tag. On the Columbia lot is an assistant director and scout named Harold Winston. Not long ago, he was divorced from the actress, Gloria Holden , but carried the torch after the marital rift. Winston was one of those who discovered the Golden Boy newcomer and who renamed him—in honor of his former spouse! Holden's first starring role was in Golden Boy , costarring Barbara Stanwyck , in which he played a violinist-turned- boxer.
Holden was still an unknown actor when he made Golden Boy , while Stanwyck was already a film star. She liked Holden and went out of her way to help him succeed, devoting her personal time to coaching and encouraging him, which made them lifelong friends. When she received her Honorary Oscar at the Academy Award ceremony , Holden had died in an accident just a few months prior. At the end of her acceptance speech, she paid him a personal tribute: "I loved him very much, and I miss him. He always wished that I would get an Oscar.
And so tonight, my golden boy, you got your wish". Paramount reunited Bracken and him in Young and Willing Holden's first film back from the services was Blaze of Noon , an aviator picture at Paramount directed by John Farrow.
