Earl Holliman death: The Rain Maker and The Twilight Zone actor dies aged 96
Earl Holliman, the actor known for his Golden-Globe winning role in The Rain Maker and his opening role in The Twilight Zone, has died aged 96.
His death was confirmed to the Los Angeles Times and Variety by his husband Craig Curtis, who shared that Holliman had died on Monday afternoon (Tuesday November 26) in his Studio City home.
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Holiman’s niece, Theresa Mullins Harris, also shared in a Facebook post to a public fan page that, he had died “after a short illness”.
“He was 96 years old, and the last of his siblings. He had a long wonderful life. His dream at 5 years old of becoming a movie star came true, more than he ever could have imagined. He loved hearing all the good things his fans had to say about him.
“He will be missed by all. I’m so glad that I was able to go out and spend time with him one last time this week.”
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Holliman had a career spanning from the 1950s, with notable credits being 1957’s The Rainmaker, starring opposite Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster, for which he won a Supporting Actor Golden Globe, and the early-’90s ABC sitcom Delta, starring Delta Burke, for which he was nominated.
One of his most famous roles was in the original 1959 version of The Twilight Zone, where he was the first actor to appear on the series as a man wandering through a town that appears to have signs of life, though no one else is seen.
The episode made history, setting up the signature themes of the series which continues to be a cornerstone of American pop-culture.
He is also renowned for his role as Lt. Bill Crowley, starring opposite Angie Dickinson in Police Woman.
Over his seven-decade-long career, he appeared in over 50 films and nearly 50 television shows.
He is survived by his husband, Craig Curtis, who told Variety Holliman was “a gracious, kind confidant, a consummate host, a man whose indefatigable positivity was evergreen and powered by a 1000-watt smile, an easy charm and infectious goodwill.
“A joy and a privilege to spend time with, he was even-keeled and compassionate, possessing a deep sensitivity and mischievous sense of humor which were belied by his stoically handsome countenance.”
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