Judd Holdren

Judd Clifton Holdren (October 16, 1915 – March 11, 1974) was an American film actor best known for his starring roles in the serials Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere (1951), Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952), The Lost Planet (1953), and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1953). He committed suicide in 1974.

Judd Holdren
Holdren in 1950
Born(1915-10-16)October 16, 1915
Villisca, Iowa, U.S.
DiedMarch 11, 1974(1974-03-11) (aged 58)
Los Angeles, California, U.S. (suicide)

Early life

He was born near Villisca, Iowa, the fifth of 10 children in a farming family, and showed early interest in an acting career. He dropped out of high school to travel to Omaha, Nebraska, where he studied at the Omaha Playhouse.

During World War II, he served in the United States Coast Guard on the USS General H. B. Freeman (AP-143), then moved to Hollywood. While in the Coast Guard, he rose to the rank of commander. His first regular employment there was as a male model.

Career

Most of his early film parts were uncredited bits, including All the King's Men (1949) and Francis the Talking Mule (1950). However, he got lead roles in Purple Heart Diary (1951) co-starring Frances Langford, and Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere (1951) the serial version of the adventures of Captain Video, becoming the third actor (after Richard Coogan and Al Hodge) to assume the role of the heroic Captain. Holdren portrayed Aramis in the Three Musketeers adventure film Lady in the Iron Mask (1952) starring Louis Hayward as D'Artagnan and Patricia Medina in the titular role. After The Lost Planet (1953), Holdren tried to maintain a foothold in feature films and TV, but with limited success.

He appeared in a number of ongoing TV series, such as Dragnet and The Lone Ranger, but usually in bit parts, often uncredited. His last significant film appearances were in very minor roles in feature films like Jeanne Eagels (1957), Ice Palace (1960), and The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (1960). The rapidity of his descent is indicated by the fact that in Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1953) he plays the lead role and Richard Crane plays his (semi-comical) sidekick, whereas in the TV series Rocky Jones Space Ranger (1953–54) Richard Crane plays the lead role and Holdren has a walk-on part in two episodes as "Ranger Higgins".

After 1960, Holdren became a full-time insurance salesman. During his Hollywood years, he was seen in public as the escort of many different Hollywood beauties, but he never married.

Death

Holdren committed suicide on March 11, 1974, by a gunshot to the head.

He is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1949All the King's MenPoliticianUncredited
1950FrancisFirst Ambulance ManUncredited
1950Rocketship X-MReporter #3Uncredited
1950Lonely Heart BanditsTrooperUncredited
1950Frisco TornadoHenchmanUncredited
1950Revenue AgentSquad Car OfficerUncredited
1950Mystery SubmarineWireless OperatorUncredited
1951The Lady Pays OffFace
1951Purple Heart DiaryLt. Mike McCormick
1951Captain Video: Master of the StratosphereCaptain VideoSerial
1952Gold FeverJud Jerson
1952Lady in the Iron MaskAramis
1952Zombies of the StratosphereLarry Martin
1953The Lost PlanetRex BarrowSerial
1954This Is My LoveDoctor Raines
1957Spoilers of the ForestMr. PeytonUncredited
1957Jeanne EagelsYoung Actor on Equity BoardUncredited
1957The Amazing Colossal ManRobert AllenUncredited
1958Space Master X-7First Officer JaredUncredited
1958The BuccaneerMaj. Reed
1958The Power of the ResurrectionTemple Officer
1959The FBI StoryParty GuestUncredited
1960Ice PalaceMuriel's EscortUncredited
1960The Rise and Fall of Legs DiamondHaberdashery ClerkUncredited
1963Critic's Choice2nd OpponentUncredited, (final film role)
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