Hal Holbrook

American actor

Also known as: Harold Rowe Holbrook, Jr.

Written by Alison Eldridge

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Quick Facts

In full:: Harold Rowe Holbrook, Jr.

Born:: February 17, 1925, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Died:: January 23, 2021, Beverly Hills, California (aged 95)

Awards And Honors:: Emmy Award; Tony Awards (1966); Emmy Award (1989): Outstanding Performance in Informational Programming; Emmy Award (1976): Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special; Emmy Award (1974): Best Lead Actor in a Drama; Emmy Award (1974): Actor of the Year (Special); Emmy Award (1971): Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series; Tony Award (1966): Best Actor in a Play

Married To:: Dixie Carter (1984–2010 [her death]); Carol Eve Rossen (1966–1983); Ruby Holbrook (1945–1965)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Hawaii Five-0" (2017); "Grey's Anatomy" (2017); "Bones" (2017); "Blackway" (2015); "Sons of Anarchy" (2010–2014); "Planes: Fire & Rescue" (2014); "Rectify" (2013); "Monday Mornings" (2013); "Savannah" (2013); "Promised Land" (2012); "Lincoln" (2012); "The Event" (2010–2011); "Water for Elephants" (2011); "Good Day for It" (2011); "Flying Lessons" (2010); "That Evening Sun" (2009); "Killshot" (2008); "ER" (2008); "Into the Wild" (2007); "NCIS" (2006); "The Sopranos" (2006); "Hope & Faith" (2005); "Good Morning, Miami" (2003); "Shade" (2003); "The West Wing" (2001–2002); "Becker" (2002); "Purpose" (2002); "The Majestic" (2001); "Family Law" (2000); "Men of Honor" (2000); "The Outer Limits" (2000); "Waking the Dead" (2000); "The Bachelor" (1999); "The Florentine" (1999); "Rusty: A Dog's Tale" (1998); "Judas Kiss" (1998); "Walking to the Waterline" (1998); "Hush" (1998); "Hercules" (1997); "Eye of God" (1997); "Cats Don't Dance" (1997); "Carried Away" (1996); "Evening Shade" (1990–1994); "The Firm" (1993); "Designing Women" (1986–1989); "Fletch Lives" (1989); "Emma: Queen of the South Seas" (1988); "The Fortunate Pilgrim" (1988); "The Unholy" (1988); "Wall Street" (1987); "North and South, Book II" (1986); "Dress Gray" (1986); "North and South" (1985); "George Washington" (1984); "Celebrity" (1984); "The Star Chamber" (1983); "Girls Nite Out" (1982); "Creepshow" (1982); "The Kidnapping of the President" (1980); "Omnibus" (1980); "The Fog" (1980); "Natural Enemies" (1979); "The Awakening Land" (1978); "Capricorn One" (1977); "Julia" (1977); "Rituals" (1977); "Great Performances" (1975–1976); "Midway" (1976); "Lincoln" (1974–1976); "All the President's Men" (1976); "The Girl from Petrovka" (1974); "Magnum Force" (1973); "They Only Kill Their Masters" (1972); "Appointment with Destiny" (1972); "The Bold Ones: The Senator" (1970–1971); "Disneyland" (1970); "The Great White Hope" (1970); "The People Next Door" (1970); "The Name of the Game" (1969); "The F.B.I." (1969); "Wild in the Streets" (1968); "Off to See the Wizard" (1968); "Coronet Blue" (1967); "Preview Tonight" (1966); "The Group" (1966); "Mr. Citizen" (1955); "The Brighter Day" (1954)

Hal Holbrook (born February 17, 1925, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.—died January 23, 2021, Beverly Hills, California) was an American actor best known for his exacting portrayal of author Mark Twain in his one-man show, Mark Twain Tonight!, which ran for more than six decades. Holbrook’s parents abandoned him and his siblings when he was two years old, and the children were raised thereafter by their grandparents. In 1942 Holbrook entered Denison University, Ohio, where he studied theatre arts. At the end of his first year, however, he joined the U.S. Army to serve in World War II. He worked as a ...(100 of 552 words)

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