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Hal Holbrook Biography

Birth Name:Harold Rowe Holbrook

Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Profession Actor, Director, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Recipient of a National Humanities Medal in 2003, awarded by the President of the United States
Performed in numerous stage productions while serving in Canada with the U․S․ Army during WWII
Quote: "(On playing Mark Twain) "When I first starting doing him, I was trying to figure out how to survive on stage by myself․ That seemed to be the hardest part․ I wanted to get the laughs then․ Now, well, I need to do it, because it's worthwhile․ Plus, there aren't that many good parts for a guy my age any more․""
Quote: "Mark Twain is something precious to me․ It's my side arm through life․"
After developing his Mark Twain persona while a student at Denison University, he would go on to ride the success of his one-man show for several decades after winning both a Tony, Emmy and Drama Desk Award
Gained further critical acclaim following his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in a 1976 biography of the political figure helmed by Carl Sandburg
Appeared as the significant other of Dixie Carter's character on "Designing Women" throughout the 1980s following their 1984 marriage

Awards

1969Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1971Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1974Primetime Emmy-Best Lead Actor in a Drama: winner
1974Primetime Emmy-Actor of the Year - Special: winner
1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series: winner
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special: nominated
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series: nominated
2007EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2007LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2008HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
2008OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009IOFCP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Special Jury Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2012ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2012BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2012NFCS Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2012SEFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2013COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2013Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated