Judd Holdren
Encyclopedia
Judd Holdren was an American
film actor
best known for his starring roles in the serials Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere
, Zombies of the Stratosphere
, The Lost Planet
and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
during 1951 - 1953.
, one of 10 children in a farming family, and showed early interest in an acting career. He dropped out of high school to travel to Omaha, Nebraska
, where he studied at the Omaha Playhouse.
During World War II
he served in the United States Coast Guard
on the USS General H. B. Freeman (AP-143)
, then moved to Hollywood. His first regular employment there was as a male model.
(1949) and Francis the Talking Mule
(1950). However, he got lead roles in Purple Heart Diary
(1951) co-starring Frances Langford
, and Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere
(1951) the serial version of the adventures of Captain Video
, becoming the third actor (after Richard Coogan
and Al Hodge
) to assume the role of the heroic Captain. After The Lost Planet
(1953), Holdren tried to maintain a foothold in feature films and TV, with limited success.
He appeared in a number of ongoing TV series, such as Dragnet and The Lone Ranger
, but usually in bit parts, often uncredited. His last significant film appearances were in very minor roles in features such as Jeanne Eagels
(1957), Ice Palace
(1960), and The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond
(1960). The rapidity of his descent is indicated by the fact that in Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
(1953) he plays the lead role and Richard Crane plays his (semi-comical) sidekick, whereas in the TV series Rocky Jones Space Ranger (1953–54) Richard Crane plays the lead role and Holdren has only a walk-on part in two episodes as "Ranger Higgins."
After 1960, Holdren became a full-time insurance salesman. During his Hollywood years, he was seen in public as the escort of many different Hollywood beauties, but never married.
on March 11, 1974, by shooting himself in the head.
He is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
best known for his starring roles in the serials Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere
Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere
Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere is a 15-chapter serial released by Columbia Pictures in 1951. It was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Wallace A. Grissel with a screenplay by Royal G. Cole, Sherman I. Lowe and Joseph F. Poland, based on a treatment by George H. Plympton...
, Zombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere was intended as the second serial featuring "new hero" Commando Cody and the third 12-chapter serial featuring the rocket-powered flying suit introduced in King of the Rocket Men...
, The Lost Planet
The Lost Planet
The Lost Planet is a 1953 Columbia Pictures 15-chapter serial which has the distinction of being the last interplanetary-themed sound serial ever made. It was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet with a screenplay by George H. Plympton and Arthur Hoerl...
and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe is a science fiction television series or serial. It consists of twelve 25-minute episodes. The series was filmed and intended to be broadcast as a television limited series but, due to contract restrictions, it was originally released in theaters as a...
during 1951 - 1953.
Early life
He was born near Villisca, IowaVillisca, Iowa
Villisca is a city in Montgomery County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,344 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Villisca is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
, one of 10 children in a farming family, and showed early interest in an acting career. He dropped out of high school to travel to Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, where he studied at the Omaha Playhouse.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
on the USS General H. B. Freeman (AP-143)
USS General H. B. Freeman (AP-143)
USS General H. B. Freeman was a for the U.S. Navy in World War II. The ship was crewed by the U.S. Coast Guard until decommissioning. She was named in honor of U.S. Army general Henry Blanchard Freeman. She was transferred to the U.S. Army as USAT General H. B. Freeman in 1946...
, then moved to Hollywood. His first regular employment there was as a male model.
Career
Most of his early film parts were uncredited bits, including All the King's MenAll the King's Men (1949 film)
All the King's Men is a 1949 drama film based on the Robert Penn Warren novel of the same name. It was directed by Robert Rossen and starred Broderick Crawford in the role of Willie Stark.-Plot:...
(1949) and Francis the Talking Mule
Francis (1950 film)
Francis is a 1950 black-and-white comedy film that launched the Francis the Talking Mule series. It starred Donald O'Connor as an American soldier who gets into trouble when he insists an Army mule named Francis can speak. The distinctive voice of Francis was provided by Chill Wills...
(1950). However, he got lead roles in Purple Heart Diary
Purple Heart Diary
Purple Heart Diary is a 1951 drama film directed by Richard Quine. It stars Frances Langford and Judd Holdren.-Cast:*Frances Langford as Herself*Judd Holdren as Lt. Mike McCormick*Ben Lessy as Himself*Tony Romano as Himself...
(1951) co-starring Frances Langford
Frances Langford
Julia Frances Langford was an American singer and entertainer who was popular during the Golden Age of Radio and also made film appearances over two decades.-Birth:...
, and Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere
Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere
Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere is a 15-chapter serial released by Columbia Pictures in 1951. It was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Wallace A. Grissel with a screenplay by Royal G. Cole, Sherman I. Lowe and Joseph F. Poland, based on a treatment by George H. Plympton...
(1951) the serial version of the adventures of Captain Video
Captain Video
Captain Video and His Video Rangers is an American science fiction television series. It was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network, and was the first series of its kind on American television...
, becoming the third actor (after Richard Coogan
Richard Coogan
Richard Coogan is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Captain Video from 1949-1950.Born in Short Hills, New Jersey, Coogan worked in radio for some time, including appearing as Abie Levy in Abie's Irish Rose...
and Al Hodge
Al Hodge
For "Big" Al Hodge, the Cornish rock musician, see Al Hodge Albert E. Hodge was an American actor best known for playing space adventurer Captain Video on the DuMont Television Network from December 15, 1950 to April 1, 1955...
) to assume the role of the heroic Captain. After The Lost Planet
The Lost Planet
The Lost Planet is a 1953 Columbia Pictures 15-chapter serial which has the distinction of being the last interplanetary-themed sound serial ever made. It was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet with a screenplay by George H. Plympton and Arthur Hoerl...
(1953), Holdren tried to maintain a foothold in feature films and TV, with limited success.
He appeared in a number of ongoing TV series, such as Dragnet and The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
, but usually in bit parts, often uncredited. His last significant film appearances were in very minor roles in features such as Jeanne Eagels
Jeanne Eagels (film)
Jeanne Eagels is a 1957 fictionalized biographical film of the life of stage star Jeanne Eagels, made by Columbia Pictures. It was produced and directed by George Sidney from a screenplay by John Fante, Daniel Fuchs and Sonya Levien, based on a story by Fuchs...
(1957), Ice Palace
Ice Palace (film)
Ice Palace is a 1960 motion picture adapted from Edna Ferber's 1958 novel of the same name. The film, directed by Vincent Sherman and starring Richard Burton, dramatized the debate over Alaska statehood...
(1960), and The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond
Legs Diamond
Legs Diamond can refer to:*Jack Diamond , the alias of Philadelphia/New York gangster Jack Moran*Legs Diamond , an American rock and roll band*Legs Diamond , a musical written by Peter Allen...
(1960). The rapidity of his descent is indicated by the fact that in Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe is a science fiction television series or serial. It consists of twelve 25-minute episodes. The series was filmed and intended to be broadcast as a television limited series but, due to contract restrictions, it was originally released in theaters as a...
(1953) he plays the lead role and Richard Crane plays his (semi-comical) sidekick, whereas in the TV series Rocky Jones Space Ranger (1953–54) Richard Crane plays the lead role and Holdren has only a walk-on part in two episodes as "Ranger Higgins."
After 1960, Holdren became a full-time insurance salesman. During his Hollywood years, he was seen in public as the escort of many different Hollywood beauties, but never married.
Death
Holdren committed suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
on March 11, 1974, by shooting himself in the head.
He is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood
North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
North Hollywood is a district in the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California, along the Tujunga Wash. It is bounded on the south by Moorpark Street and the Ventura Freeway, on the southwest by Burbank Blvd...
.