William Holden was an American actor who became a major star in the 1950s, known for his blend of boyish charm and cynical edge. He won an Oscar for "Stalag 17" and starred in classics such as "Sunset Boulevard", "Sabrina", and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Holden’s screen presence and range, from romantic leads to gritty antiheroes, made him one of the defining actors of his era.