{"id":35424,"date":"2021-02-03T12:23:05","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T20:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theculturednerd.org\/?p=35424"},"modified":"2021-06-15T14:09:18","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T21:09:18","slug":"hal-holbrook-performer-extraordinaire-passes-away-at-95","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theculturednerd.org\/?p=35424","title":{"rendered":"Hal Holbrook, Performer Extraordinaire Passes Away at 95"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hal Holbrook in 1950 and in the 1993 film The Firm <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Over the years there have been many stars in the Hollywood sky. They shine out bright with a glow that burns down through the ages. The roles that these players take on add to a legacy that is remembered for all time, even as the years pass by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hal Holbrook<\/strong>, who will always be remembered as an actor who carved out a wide and diverse legacy of roles over the years, is a star that has gone out. The 95 year old legend passed away on January 23, 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hal Holbrook and Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force in 1973<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A mainstay of Hollywood since the 1950’s, Hal brought a number of characters to life over the years both for movies and TV. Whether it was the famous Deep Throat in All The President’s Men<\/strong><\/em> (1972), corrupt police Lt. Neil Briggs in Magnum Force<\/em><\/strong> (1973), or Assistant Secretary of State Albie Duncan on West Wing<\/em><\/strong> (2001-2002), Holbrook took every role he played and gave them each a unique voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain in 2005<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most exemplary parts for which he will always be remembered, was that of famed author Mark Twain in the one-man show Mark Twain Tonight!<\/em><\/strong> From its early development in 1952 until his retirement from the show in September 2017, the actor was hailed as one of the best one-man performers of several generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hal Holbrook as Jacob Jankowski in Water for Elephants<\/em> in 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As he aged over the years, it was with a quiet grace and nobility; as if accepting the passage of time not as a curse, but as a blessing. His minor role as the elder Jacob Jankowski in Water for Elephants<\/em><\/strong> reflects this in a beautiful way. While the scenes with Holbrook are very small, they serve as the opening and closing chapters to the story of Jacob and his time with the circus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As news of his passing made its way throughout the Internet, many noted media figures shared their thoughts on the death of this great man. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paying homage to Hal Holbrook, one our our great actors and for me personally the most wonderful, kind and generous co-star. Rest up Hal, you have some good work to do in heaven. \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/RsgmyrsNIJ<\/a><\/p>— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) February 2, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>