Earl Holliman’s journey to Hollywood is a tale of determination and dreams. At just 14 years old in 1943, Holliman was determined to become a movie star.

Growing up in Oil City and Mooringsport, not Shreveport as often mentioned, he made his way to Hollywood through a series of stops.

First, he traveled to relatives in Camden, Arkansas, then took a bus to Texarkana, Texas. From there, he hitchhiked to Hollywood.

Holliman had saved some money from working as a theater usher and on the night shift at a cafe near Barksdale Air Force Base. He even had a lead on a place to stay from a serviceman he met at the cafe, which turned out to be in El Monte, California, quite far from Hollywood. Reflecting on his journey, Holliman admits it was a risky move, one that wouldn’t be advisable today.