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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Jack Holt and His Pastel Drawers


Jack Holt (May 31, 1888 – January 18, 1951) was a man's man in Hollywood. His career lasted through both silent films and talkies, mostly Westerns, up to his death in 1951.



Jack , a native New Yorker and son on an Episcopalian minister, who was expelled from Virginia Military Academy for bad behavior. He had aspirations of being a lawyer, but ended up traveling the country doing just about everything. He mined gold in Alaska, rode cattle, delivered mail, worked on the railroad, and was a civil engineer.





Author Zane Grey with Jack Holt


While employed as a surveyor in San Francisco in 1914, he got his big break into pictures. He offered to ride a horse off a cliff for a stunt, because no one else would do it. The director was so glad, he gave him a part in the film - and Jack Holt, actor was born.






Some Fun Facts About Jack:



  • His children Tim Holt and Jennifer Holt followed in his footsteps, making mostly westerns. Tim became quite a bit more famous than his father.


  • Chester Gould based the drawing of Dick Tracy on Jack Holt, particularly his granite jaw


  • Jack Holt was Al Capp's favorite actor and he drew his bumbling detective character Fearless Fosdick after Jack.


  • Became a life member of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of California on July 13, 1928 based on his direct descent from Capt. John Marshall, 1700-1795. His General Society membership number was 7810 and his California Society membership number was 364.
  • He was Margaret Mitchell's choice to play Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind


Jack Holt and Norma Shearer


Sylvia gave Jack Holt facials quite regularly. She did not comment on anything about him, except that he preferred being naked, except for his silk purple drawers while getting his facial. Not quite what I expect from a macho western star.






Catch Jack in action in this flick



Next up - Why did Neil Hamilton freak out when Sylvia arrived on his doorstep?



3 comments:

  1. What terrific fun - and fascinating - facts about this legendary early Hollywood figure. You always find the neatest things (and people!) to post about!

    Wishing you a beautiful & relaxing Sunday, honey!
    ♥ Jessica

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  2. Thank you for your comment, and gr8 post

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  3. I have a picture of Jack Holt which I just discovered on the back of a watercolor by the French artist A. Deveria. Its painted on the back of the painting? I could send you a pictures if you like and maybe you can provide me some information about it. Have a nice day. bob

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