Holbrook died on January 23 in Beverly Hills, California, his representative, Steve Rohr, told The Associated Press.
Actors across the spectrum mourned Holbrook’s passing, including Bradley Whitford, who called him an “incredible actor” and Viola Davis, who wrote “RIP to the always wonderful Hal Holbrook”.
Holbrook pursued a busy career in theatre, television and movies, winning five Emmys and a Tony. His more than two dozen film credits ranged from Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln to Oliver Stone’s Wall Street.
Rest well Father Malone. The estimable Hal Holbrook has passed away, but what work he leaves behind. Loved his performances in The Fog, All The President’s Men, Magnum Force, Creepshow, Capricorn One, The Star Chamber, Wild In The Streets & Into The Wild, among many many others. pic.twitter.com/Vwfw1eGvJI
Hal Holbrook, Known For His Mark Twain Portrayal, Dies At 95
The Cleveland-born Holbrook began portraying the Southern author in the one-man show
Mark Twain Tonight! in 1954, while he was studying at Lock Haven State Teachers College. The show traveled around the country, and eventually around the world. In 1967,
Mark Twain Tonight! was broadcasted on CBS. He received an Emmy for his performance, which captured Twain s signature drawl and acerbic wit.
Interestingly enough, Holbrook was only 29 when he began playing 70-year-old Twain, and would continue to embody him well into his 80s. It wasn’t until September 2017 that Holbrook officially announced his one-man show’s retirement. He resigned in a letter to an Oklahoma theater where he was scheduled to perform. “I know it must end, this long effort to do a good job,” he wrote. “I have served my trade, gave it my all, heart and soul, as a dedicated actor can.”
NEW YORK (AP) Hal Holbrook, the award-winning character actor who toured the world for more than 50 years as Mark Twain in a one-man show and uttered the immortal advice “Follow the money” in the classic political thriller “All the President’s Men,” has died. He was 95.
Holbrook died on Jan. 23 in Beverly Hills, California, his representative, Steve Rohr, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Actors across the spectrum mourned Holbrook s passing, including Bradley Whitford, who called him an “incredible actor” and Viola Davis, who wrote “RIP to the always wonderful Hal Holbrook.”
Holbrook pursued a busy career in theater, television and movies, winning five Emmys and a Tony. His more than two dozen film credits ranged from Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” to Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street.” He was a steady presence on TV as well, having appeared on such shows as “The West Wing,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bones.”
Origins
Carter was born in 1939 McLemoresville, Tennessee, and was the middle of three children. She harbored dreams of becoming an opera singer when she was young, but those were shattered by a botched tonsillectomy at age seven. Nonetheless, she continued to study classical music and learned to play the piano, trumpet, and harmonica, The Sun reported. Carter made her professional debut at age 21 in a local production of Carousel. She moved to New York a couple of years later and got a role in Joseph Papp s production of Shakespeare s A Winter s Tale.
Actor Hal Holbrook (L) and actress Dixie Carter pose during the 80th annual Academy Awards nominees luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 4, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)
Mark Twain Tonight! creator was known for his wide-ranging work on stage and screen.
Hal Holbrook, the distinguished performer who toured tirelessly off and on for five decades as American wit Mark Twain, winning a Tony Award for the role in 1966, died January 23, 2021. He was 95. His death was confirmed by his assistant, Joyce Cohen.
Mr. Holbrook parlayed his aristocratic good looks into a series of roles as men of principle grappling with the conflicts of the real world. Amid hundreds of stage, film, and TV credits, Mr. Holbrook played many senators, presidents, business leaders, and literary lions. Hal Holbrook Joan Marcus