Photo: NBC Television / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on February 17, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, Hal Holbrook was a character actor, stage actor and film actor. Death is recorded on January 23, 2021, at the age of 95. Education on record includes Denison University. Awards on record include National Humanities Medal (2003), Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (1966), Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1971) and 2 more. Hal Holbrook was associated with North & South.
My Take
What I admire most about Holbrook is the discipline of a lifetime. He built his Mark Twain one-man show as a student and kept refining it for decades, which tells you everything about his craftsmanship. He was never the flashy lead; he was the character actor who quietly anchored a scene and made everyone around him better. Living to 95 and working nearly to the end, he embodied the kind of patient, role-first acting that gives American film and television their depth. I'll always prefer this sort of lifelong dedication over star wattage.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Hal Holbrook
- Name (Japanese)
- ハル・ホルブルック
- Reading
- はる・ほるぶるっく
- Born
- February 17, 1925 – January 23, 2021
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Ox
- Origin
- Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Occupation
- character actor / stage actor / film actor / television actor / screenwriter
2. Background
- University
- Denison University
Awards & achievements
- 2003 National Humanities Medal
- 1966 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
- 1971 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | North & South | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Hal Holbrook born?
Born February 17, 1925.
When did Hal Holbrook die?
Died January 23, 2021, aged 95.
Where was Hal Holbrook from?
Hal Holbrook was from Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
What did Hal Holbrook do?
Hal Holbrook worked as character actor, stage actor, film actor, television actor, screenwriter.
What was Hal Holbrook known for?
Notable works include North & South.
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