Earl Holliman, the character actor who played Jim Curry in the 1956 film The Rainmaker and later starred in the first broadcast episode of The Twilight Zone, died November 25, 2024, at his home in Studio City, California. He was 96. His husband, Craig Curtis, confirmed the death to the Los Angeles Times, which reported that no cause was given.
Who Earl Holliman was in The Rainmaker
Holliman played Jim Curry, the brother of Katharine Hepburn’s Lizzie Curry, in the 1956 film, which also starred Burt Lancaster. The role was a major early break: in a 1975 interview quoted by the Los Angeles Times, Holliman described it as his first co-starring part. He received a Golden Globe for supporting actor for the performance.
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The Rainmaker (1957) [DVD] | $10.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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The Rainmaker (L'idealiste) (Special Collector's Edition) | $20.62 | Buy on Amazon |
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John Grisham's The Rainmaker | $21.56 | Buy on Amazon |
In a 2016 Connors Corner interview, Holliman summed up what he believed a break required: “It’s wonderful to get a break, but when you do, you have to be ready for it.”
Career milestones across film and television
| Period and medium | Role or milestone |
|---|---|
| 1950s films | Jim Curry in The Rainmaker (1956); other credits included The Bridges at Toko-Ri, Forbidden Planet, Giant, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and The Sons of Katie Elder. |
| 1959 television | Holliman starred as Mike Ferris in “Where Is Everybody?”, the first episode of The Twilight Zone to be broadcast. It aired October 2, 1959. |
| 1970s television | He played Lt. Bill Crowley, a colleague of Angie Dickinson’s character, on Police Woman. The Television Academy records 90 episodes across four seasons. |
Rod Serling, the creator and writer associated with The Twilight Zone, praised Holliman’s work in “Where Is Everybody?” in a message quoted by The Washington Post: “Your performance was outstanding, full of dimension, shading and a fantastic believability.”
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How extensive was Holliman’s career?
Holliman worked in film and television from the early 1950s. Career totals vary by obituary and are rounded estimates, not a single reconciled filmography count: the Los Angeles Times described more than 50 movies and nearly 50 television shows, while The Washington Post characterized his work as nearly 100 film and television appearances over five decades.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about his death
Holliman died at home in Studio City on November 25, 2024, aged 96. The Los Angeles Times reported that his husband, Craig Curtis, confirmed the death and that no cause was given. No cause of death should be inferred from that report.
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