Tim Holt

Charles John "Tim" Holt III (February 5, 1919 – February 15, 1973) was an American actor.

Holt was born Charles John Holt III on February 5, 1919, in Beverly Hills, California, the son of actor Jack Holt and Margaret Woods.

During his early years, he accompanied his father on location, even appearing in an early silent film.

He was the inspiration for his father's book, Lance and His First Horse.

During the late 1930s, actor George O'Brien had made a number of low-budget Westerns for RKO.

Holt later recalled, "I believe George O’Brien quit over money so RKO needed another Western star and I was put forward."

Holt was educated at Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, graduating in 1936.

One of his classmates was Budd Boetticher who recalled Holt "used to walk around in our suite of rooms there…and he often had on his .38 revolvers and holster. He’d walk up and down the hall in his bathrobe and practice drawing his guns. He’d say, ‘I’m going to be a western star some day’."

Immediately after graduation he went to work in the Hollywood film business.

His sister, Jennifer Holt, also appeared in B-westerns, notably opposite Johnny Mack Brown at Universal.

Holt was signed to a contract by producer Walter Wanger in January 1937.

Wanger was going to use him in Blockade, but that film was postponed.

Instead he made his debut as Anne Shirley's suitor in Stella Dallas (1937) for Sam Goldwyn – the same role that another film star's son, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.., had played in the 1925 version.

When told he was given the role his father Jack said, "Fine. Let's have one good actor in the family."

Wanger then cast him in I Met My Love Again (1938) and used him for a Technicolor Western, ''Gold is Where You Find It.

In the latter the Los Angeles Times said Holt "confirms the favourable impression he gave" in Stella Dallas.

RKO borrowed him for a western The Renegade Ranger (1938) supporting George O'Brien, then a leading star of B-westerns.

Wanger wanted to star Holt opposite Henry Fonda and Louise Platt in an adaptation of Vincent Sheean's Personal History; however after the problems Wanger had making Blockade he decided to postpone the project.

(It was later filmed as Foreign Correspondent.) He lent Holt to Paramount to play the juvenile lead in Sons of the Legion then RKO asked for him again in The Law West of Tombstone, supporting Harry Carey.

RKO signed Holt to a seven-year contract in December 1938.

RKO gave Holt his first lead in the B-film The Rookie Cop.

It was popular, and RKO put him in The Girl and the Gambler opposite Leo Carrillo.

Wanger then used Holt in the role of young Lieutenant Blanchard in the 1939 classic Stagecoach.

At Universal he appeared in a story of his old alma mater, Culver Military Academy, The Spirit of Culver.

His contract with Wanger expired.

He was then cast as the romantic lead for the studio's biggest star, Ginger Rogers, in 5th Avenue Girl (1939).

It was popular and the Los Angeles Times said Holt "does unusually well in this", although the New York Times thought he "seems a trifle young to be running a great corporation".

He was meant to play the eldest son in Three Sons (1939) with Edward Ellis, but he was withdrawn and replaced by William Gargan.

He was also meant to star in a Western, Silver City, with Betty Grable, but it was not made.

He was a popular Western star during the 1940s and early 1950s, appearing in forty-six B westerns released by RKO Pictures.

In early 1940 it was announced Holt and Ginger Rogers would be reunited in an adaptation of The Enchanted Cottage.

The film was not made until several years later with different stars.

Instead he was assigned to play Fritz Robinson in the studio's expensive adaptation of Swiss Family Robinson (1940).

He also played the lead in Laddie (1940); the Los Angeles Times called him "engaging and capable".

Swiss Family Robinson was a financial failure and Laddie was not particularly popular.

In early 1940, RKO announced Holt would make six low-budget B-Westerns, starting with Wagon Train with Martha O'Driscoll.

O'Driscoll and Holt were meant to reteam in Sir Piegan Passes but it was not made.

Instead Holt appeared in The Fargo Kid.

Universal borrowed him to play Charles Boyer's son in Back Street (1941).

In a career spanning more than four decades, Holt is best remembered for his roles in the films The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948).