Hal Holbrook - Definition and Overview

Hal Holbrook, or Harold Rowe Holbrook, Jr. (born 17 February 1925) is an American actor. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Harold Rowe Holbrook and Aileen Davenport. He was married to Ruby Elaine Johnston, Carol Rossen, and Dixie Carter.

Holbrook is a graduate of Denison University.

Holbrook is famous for his portrayal of Mark Twain in a series of performances called Mark Twain Tonight. Holbrook's show began a tradition of "one man" shows such as Give 'Em Hell Harry with James Whitmore. Holbrook was only 34 when he began playing the elderly Twain. He watched films of Twain and spoke to those that knew him. Mark Twain Tonight ran for thousands of performances and Holbrook still occasionally does it today. He knows 14 hours of material and makes each show different. In 1976, Holbrook won further acclaim for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in a series of television specials based on Carl Sandburg's acclaimed biography. He has also starred in many films and TV programs.

Early in his career he worked on stage and in a television soap opera, The Brighter Day. Holbrook is also famous for his role as the enigmatic Deep Throat in the film, "All the President's Men."

Some films with Holbrook

• The Group (1966): Film Debut
• Magnum Force (1973)
• All the President's Men (1976)
• Midway (1976)
• The Kidnapping of the President (1980)
• The Unholy (1988)
• Fletch Lives (1989)
• The Firm (1993)
• Eye of God (1997)
• Hush (1998)

External links

• Internet Movie Database Listing (http://imdb.com/name/nm0001358/)
• Hal Holbrook profile, NNDB (http://www.nndb.com/people/000/000022931/).