Holm, Celeste 1919-

PERSONAL

Born April 29, 1919, in New York, NY; daughter of Theodor (a director of Lloyds Agency insurance company) and Jean (a painter and writer; maiden name, Parke) Holm; married Ralph Nelson, 1938 (divorced, 1939); married Francis E. H. Davies, January, 1940 (divorced); married A. Schuyler Dunning, 1946 (divorced, 1952); married Robert Wesley Addy (an actor), May 22, 1966 (died, December 31, 1996); married Frank Basile (an opera singer), April 29, 2004; children: (first marriage) Theodore (a director, producer, actor and writer); (third marriage) Daniel. Education: Attended University High School for Girls, Chicago, IL; Lycee Victor Duryui, Paris, France; Sorbonne, Paris, France; City College of New York, New York City; and University of Chicago. Studied singing with C. H. Mundy; ballet with Adolph Bolm for ten years; acting with Benno Schneider, 1938-40, and later with Francis W. Parker. Religion: Christian.

Addresses:

Agent—Silver, Massetti and Szatmary, 8730 West Sunset Blvd., Suite 440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Career:

Actress. Worked with a summer stock company in Deer Lake, PA, 1936; entertainer with United Service Organizations in Europe, 1945; toured the U.S., 1963-64, and eight European and Middle Eastern countries, 1966, in the theater-in-concert program Interplay, for U.S. State Department Cultural Presentations Program; member of McCarter Theatre Company, Princeton, NJ, 1979-80; recorded public service radio announcements for New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care, 2001; member of Actors Studio; also performed at supper clubs. National Mental Health Association, member, 1965, then chair, 1969-70; Mayor's Midtown Committee, board of directors, 1975; Stage South Supporting Players, South Carolina State Theatre, chairperson, 1977; Creative Arts Rehabilitation Center, president, 1978; Save the Theatres, member of board of directors, 1982; National Arts Council, member, 1982-88; New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, chair, 1983; Actors Fund of America, member of board of directors, 1988; New Jersey School for the Arts, member of advisory board, 1989; United Nations Association of New York City, member of advisory council, 1992; Arts Horizons, chair, 1995; U.S. Committee for UNICEF, former member of governing board; UNICEF, spokesperson; New York City Arts and Business Council, vice president.

Member:

National Association for Mental Health (chairperson, 1969-70), Actor's Fund of America.

Awards, Honors:

Academy Award, best supporting actress, Golden Globe Award, best supporting actress, 1948, both for Gentleman's Agreement; Alliance Francaise, 1949, Academy Award nomination, best supporting actress, 1950, both for Come to the Stable; Academy Award nomination, best supporting actress, 1951, for All about Eve; Performer of the Year, Variety Clubs of America, 1966; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding achievement in daytime programming—individuals, 1967, for Insight; Sarah Siddons Award, 1968, for Mame; Woman of the Year, Anti-Defamation League, 1972; Performer of the Year Award, Variety Clubs of America, 1973; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or a special, 1979, for Backstairs at the White House; knighted by King Olav of Norway, 1979; Actor's Studio Award, 1980; Centenary College, D.H.L., 1980; Northwood University, D.H.L., 1981; Middle Georgia College, A.A., 1982; Eastern Michigan University, Arts D., 1984; Kean College of New Jersey, D.H.L., 1984; Felician College, D.H.L., 1985; Jersey City State College, D.H.L., 1986; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding guest performer in a daytime drama series, 1986, for Loving; Monmouth College, D.F.A., 1987; Fairleigh Dickinson University, D. Liberal Arts, 1988; Eastern Illinois University, D. Public Service, 1989; Seton Hall University, D.F.A., 1990; Edwin Forrest Award, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, 1991, for outstanding contribution to theatre; Cardinal's Award, The Cardinal's Committee of Laity, 1991; inducted into Theatre Hall of Fame, 1992; Ellis Island Medal of Honor, 1992; Gold Medal, Holland Society of New York, 1994; Dorothea Dix Award, Mental Illness Foundation, 1995; named Grandparent of the Year, 1997; Silver Circle Award, 1999; Lifetime Achievement Award, Marco Island Film Festival, 2000; Utah Shakespeare Festival's Imperial Order, 2000; Susan B. Anthony "Failure Is Impossible" Award, High Falls Film Festival, 2003; The Gracie Allen Award, 2004; Lifetime Achievement Award, SunDeis Film Festival, 2006; Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

CREDITS

Stage Appearances:

(Broadway debut) Lady Mary, Gloriana, Little Theatre, 1938.

Mary L., The Time of Your Life, Booth Theatre, New York City, 1939.

Maria, Another Sun, National Theatre, New York City, 1940.

Daughter, Return of the Vagabond, National Theatre, 1940.

Marcia Godden, Eight O'Clock Tuesday, Henry Miller Theatre, New York City, 1941.

Lady Keith-Odlyn, My Fair Ladies, Hudson Guild Theatre, New York City, 1941.

Emma, Papa Is All, Hudson Guild Theatre, 1942.

Fifi Oritanski, All the Comforts of Home, Longacre Theatre, New York City, 1942.

Calla Longstreth, The Damask Cheek, Playhouse Theatre, New York City, 1942.

Ado Annie Carnes, Oklahoma!, St. James Theatre, New York City, 1943.

Evelina, Bloomer Girl, Shubert Theatre, New York City, 1944.

Kate Hardcastle, She Stoops to Conquer, City Center Theatre, New York City, 1949.

Irene Elliott, Affairs of State, Royale Theatre, New York City, 1950.

Anna Christopherson, Anna Christie, City Center Theatre, 1952.

Anna, The King and I, St. James Theatre, 1952.

Maggie Palmer, His and Hers, Forty-Eighth Street Theatre, New York City, 1954.

Sudden Spring, Melody Circus Theatre, Detroit, MI, 1956.

Mrs. Price, Interlock, American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA), New York City, 1958.

Helen Sayre, Third Best Sport, Ambassador Theatre, New York City, 1958.

Ensemble, What a Day (revue), Spa Theatre, Saratoga Springs, NY, 1959.

Camilla Jablonski, Invitation to a March, Music Box Theatre, New York City, 1960.

Natalya Petrovna, A Month in the Country, Maidman Theatre, New York City, 1963.

Angela Burgeon, Madly in Love, Playhouse-in-the-Park, Philadelphia, PA, 1963.

Night of the Iguana, 1964.

Irene Elliott, Affairs of State, Pasadena Playhouse, CA, 1967.

Mame Dennis (title role), Mame, Shubert Theatre, Chicago, IL, then Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, both 1967.

Candida Morell (title role), Candida, New York and Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, Longacre Theatre, New York City, 1970.

Title role, Mama, Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo, NY, 1972.

Mrs. Baker, Butterflies Are Free, Studio Arena Theatre, 1973.

Light Up the Sky, Ford's Theatre Society, Washington, DC, 1974.

Finishing Touches, 1974.

Samantha Greenberg, And Nothing But, Playhouse, Woodstock, NY, 1975.

Lady Rumpers, Habeas Corpus, Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, 1975.

Myra Matthews, A Very Private Life, Studio Arena Theatre, 1977.

Janet Flanner, Paris Was Yesterday (one-woman show), George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, NJ, 1977.

Julia Fayle, The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall, Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York City, 1979.

Judith Bliss, Hay Fever, Williamstown Festival Theatre, Williamstown, MA, 1979.

Janet Flanner, Paris Was Yesterday (one-woman show), Harold Clurman Theatre, New York City, 1979.

Judith Bliss, Hay Fever, Centre Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, 1982.

Night of 100 Stars, Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1982.

The woman, With Love and Laughter, Harold Clurman Theatre, 1982.

Liza Elliot, Lady in the Dark, London, 1983.

The Trojan Women, 1985.

The Road to Mecca, 1989.

Love Letters, 1990.

The Cocktail Hour, 1990.

I Hate Hamlet, Broadway production, 1991.

The Cole Porter 100th Birthday Celebration, Carnegie Hall, New York City, 1991.

Allegro, 1994.

Nothing Like a Dame 2000, Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York City, 2000.

Don Juan in Hell, Irish Repertory Theatre, New York City, 2000.

Arsenic and Old Lace, City Center Theatre, 2000.

Pizza in the Park, London, 2003.

Also appeared in John Brown's Body, Off-Broadway production; A Christmas Carol, Off-Broadway production; Not Even in Spring.

Major Tours:

Understudy for the role of Ophelia, Hamlet, U.S. cities, 1936-37.

Crystal, The Women, 1937.

Eve and Lilith, Back to Methuselah, 1957.

Mame Dennis (title role), Mame, U.S. cities, 1967-69.

Lady Cicely, Captain Brassbound's Conversion, California cities, 1968.

Judith, Hay Fever, 1980.

Also toured in Butterflies Are Free; A Very Private Affair; Not Even in Spring; Royal Enclosure; Invitation to a March; The Grass Is Greener; The Irregular Verb to Love; Finishing Touches; Light Up the Sky.

Film Appearances:

(Film debut) Miriam, Three Little Girls in Blue, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1946.

Celeste, Carnival in Costa Rica, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1947.

Anne Dettrey, Gentleman's Agreement (also known as Laura Z. Hobson's "Gentleman's Agreement"), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1947.

Emily Hefferan, Chicken Every Sunday, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1948.

Susie Smith, Road House, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1948.

Grace, The Snake Pit, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1948.

(Uncredited) Voice of Addie Ross, A Letter to Three Wives, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1949.

Sister Scholastica, Come to the Stable, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1949.

Doris Borland, Everybody Does It, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1949.

Karen Richards, All About Eve, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1950.

Flame O'Neil, Champagne for Caesar, United Artists, 1950.

Sylvia Crewes, The Tender Trap, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1955.

Liz Imbrie, High Society, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1956.

Helen Bushmill, Bachelor Flat, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1961.

Louise Halloran, Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1967.

Aunt Polly, Tom Sawyer (also kwon as A Musical Adaptation of Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer"), United Artists, 1973.

Marian, Bittersweet Love, Avco Embassy, 1976.

Florence Hollister, The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover, American International, 1978.

Mrs. Holden, Three Men and a Baby, Buena Vista, 1987.

Nora Richards, Nora's Christmas Gift, 1989.

Clara, Once You Meet a Stranger, Michael Filerman Productions, 1996.

Ida, Still Breathing, October Films, 1998.

On-camera host, True Love (short; also known as Celeste Holm Hosts Cole Porter in Hollywood: True Love and Cole Porter in Hollywood: True Love), Warner Home Video, 2003.

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (documentary; also known as Broadway, Broadway: The Golden Age, and Broadway: The Movie), Dada Films, 2003.

Iris, Alchemy, Monarch Home Video, 2005.

Television Appearances; Series:

Celeste Anders, Honestly, Celeste!, CBS, 1954.

Substitute host, The $64,000 Question, 1955.

Panelist, Who Pays?, 1959.

Abigail "Abby" Townsend, Nancy, NBC, 1970-71.

Sybil Van Loween, The Delphi Bureau, ABC, 1972.

Lauren Roberts, As the World Turns, 1981.

Estelle Harris, Archie Bunker's Place, CBS, 1981-83.

Molly Hayden, Jessie, ABC, 1984.

Anna Rossini, Falcon Crest, 1985.

Samantha Cromwell, Christine Cromwell, 1989.

Isabelle Alden, Loving, ABC, 1991-92.

Hattie Greene, Promised Land (also known as Home of the Brave), CBS, 1996-99.

Frances Robinson, The Beat, UPN, 2000.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Sister Angela, Captains and the Kings, NBC, 1976.

Mrs. Florence Harding, Backstairs at the White House, NBC, 1979.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Flo Clementi, Cosa Nostra, Arch Enemy of the FBI, 1967.

Beatrice Broadhurst, The Underground Man, NBC, 1974.

Elizabeth Mason, Death Cruise, ABC, 1974.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, The American Woman: Portraits of Courage, 1976.

Sylvia Randall, Midnight Lace, NBC, 1981.

Claire Mercer, Murder by the Book (also known as Alter Ego), CBS, 1987.

Samantha Cromwell, "Things That Go Bump in the Night" (also known as "Christine Cromwell: Things That Go Bump in the Night" and "Amanda Vanderbilt"), The ABC Saturday Movie, ABC, 1989.

Samantha Cromwell, "Easy Come, Easy Go" (also known as "Christine Cromwell: Easy Come, Easy Go"), The ABC Saturday Movie, ABC, 1989.

Miss Snow, Polly: Comin Home (also known as Polly—One More Time), NBC, 1990.

Samantha Cromwell, "Only the Good Die Young" (also known as "Christine Cromwell: Only the Good Die Young"), The ABC Saturday Movie, ABC, 1990.

Samantha Cromwell, "In Vino Veritas" (also known as "Christine Cromwell: In Vino Veritas"), The ABC Saturday Movie, ABC, 1990.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Sybil Van Loween, The Delphi Bureau, NBC, 1972.

Eva McFarland, The Love Boat II, ABC, 1977.

Zandra Stoneman, This Girl for Hire, CBS, 1983.

Molly Hayden, Jessie, ABC, 1984.

Samantha Orbison, The Road Show, CBS, 1989.

Hattie Greene, Home of the Brave, CBS, 1996.

Television Appearances; Specials:

The March of Dimes Fashion Show, CBS, 1950.

Performer, The 25th Annual Academy Awards, NBC, 1953.

Host in New York, The 29th Annual Academy Awards, NBC, 1957.

Martha Walling, The Man in the Dog Suit, NBC, 1960.

Hostess, Fun Fair, NBC, 1960.

Victoria Woodhull, The Right Man, CBS, 1960.

Cohost and narrator, Perspective on Greatness (documentary), syndicated, 1961.

Fairy godmother, Cinderella (also known as Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella"), CBS, 1965.

Nancy Lincoln, Swing Out, Sweet Land (also known as John Wayne's Tribute to America), NBC, 1970.

Salute to Oscar Hammerstein II, 1972.

Cohost, The 27th Annual Tony Awards, ABC, 1973.

Presenter, The 20th Annual Tony Awards, ABC, 1973.

The American Film Institute Salute to Bette Davis, 1977.

Presenter, The 33rd Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1979.

Presenter, The 35th Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1981.

Night of 100 Stars, 1982.

The Love Boat Fall Preview Party, ABC, 1984.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC, 1986.

Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend, 1986.

Nora, Nora's Christmas Gift, syndicated, 1989.

7th Annual American Cinema Awards, 1990.

Presenter, The 19th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, NBC, 1992.

Presenter, The 65th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1993.

The Hollywood Fashion Machine, 1995.

(Uncredited) The 70th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1998.

The DeMille Dynasty, 1998.

Voice, The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story, 2000.

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, 2001.

The 75th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 2003.

AFI's 100 Years … 100 Heroes & Villains (also known as AFI's 100 Yeas, 100 Heroes & Villains: America's Greatest Screen Characters), CBS, 2003.

50 Films to See Before You Die (also known as Film4's "50 Films to See Before You Die"), 2006.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Inside U.S.A. with Chevrolet, 1949.

The Ed Wynn Show, 1949.

"The Pacing Goose," Lux Video Theater (also known as Summer Video Theatre), CBS, 1951.

"Second Sight," Lux Video Theater (also known as Summer Video Theatre), CBS, 1951.

Richard Rodgers' Jubilee Show, 1951.

The Colgate Comedy Hour (also kwon as Colgate Summer Comedy Hour, Colgate Variety Hour, and Michael Todd Revue), 1951, 1955.

"The Bargain," Lux Video Theater (also known as Summer Video Theatre), CBS, 1952.

"Four's a Family," Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (also known as Herald Playhouse, Schlitz Playhouse, and The Playhouse), CBS, 1952.

Toast of the Town (also known as The Ed Sullivan Show), 1952, 1954, 1955, 1959.

"Mrs. Genius," Hollywood Opening Night, NBC, 1953.

"Hearts Desire," Your Jewelers Showcase, CBS, 1953.

"Lost Sunday," Lux Video Theater (also known as Summer Video Theatre), CBS, 1953.

Madge Collins, "The Bogey Man," U.S. Steel Hour (also known as The United States Steel Hour), ABC, 1955.

Mary Miller, "The Empty Room Blues," Climax! (also known as Climax Mystery Theatre), CBS, 1956.

Title role, "Carolyn," Sneak Preview, NBC, 1956.

Mad Maggie, The Steve Allen Show (also known as The Steve Allen Plymouth Show), 1956.

What's My Line?, 1956, 1959.

Mad Meggie, "Jack and the Beanstalk," Producers Showcase, NBC, 1956.

Phoebe Merry II, "The Yeoman of the Guard" (operetta), Hallmark Hall of Fame, NBC, 1957.

"Wedding Present," Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (also known as Herald Playhouse, Schlitz Playhouse, and The Playhouse), CBS, 1957.

Maggie Travis, "The Princess Back Home," Goodyear Television Playhouse (also known as Goodyear Playhouse), NBC, 1957.

Sarah Kimball, "A Fugitive," Zane Grey Theater (also known as Dick Powell's "Zane Grey Theater" and The Westerners), CBS, 1957.

"The Room Next Door," Studio 57, syndicated, 1957.

Guest panelist, To Tell the Truth, 1958.

The Edge of Night, CBS, 1959.

Sarah Kimball, "Fugitive," Frontier Justice, 1959.

"Women of the Bible," The Christophers, 1960.

"Fun Fair," Startime (also known as Ford Startime and Lincoln-Mercury Startime), 1960.

"A Clearing in the Bible," Play of the Week, 1961.

Miss Bullfinch, "The Irresistible Miss Bullfinch," Follow the Sun, ABC, 1962.

Laraine Whitman, "So Beats My Plastic Heart," Checkmate, CBS, 1962.

Laura Bennett, "Cry Out of Silence," Alcoa Premiere, ABC, 1962.

Nurse Jane Munson, "The Pack Rat and the Prima Donna," Dr. Kildare, NBC, 1963.

Helen Forsythe, "Who Killed the Kind Doctor?" Burke's Law (also known as Amos Burke, Secret Agent), ABC, 1963.

Pantomime Quiz (also known as Mike Stokey's "Pantomime Quiz" and Stump the Stars), 1963.

Billie Hamilton, "How Do I Say I Love You?" The Eleventh Hour, NBC, 1964.

Herself, Missing Links, 1964.

Helen Fuller, "Kilroy: Parts I-IV," Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, NBC, 1965.

Rose Herrod, "An Elephant Is Like a Tree," Mr. Novak, NBC, 1965.

Flo Hagerman, "The Old Man Picked a Lemon," The Fugitive, ABC, 1965.

"The Cold, Cold War of Paul Bryan," Run for Your Life, NBC, 1965.

Anne Smith, "Meet Me in St. Louis," Summer Fun, ABC, 1966.

Libby Rankin, "Face of Fear," The Long Hot Summer, ABC, 1966.

"A Clearing in the Woods," Play of the Week, syndicated, 1966.

Mrs. Bern, "Fat Hands and a Diamond Ring," Insight, syndicated, 1967.

Pearl Patton, "Concrete Evidence," The Fugitive, ABC, 1967.

Flo Clementi, "The Executioners: Parts 1 & 2," The F.B. I., ABC, 1967.

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, ABC, 1969.

Irene Comdon, "The Brass Ring," Name of the Game, NBC, 1970.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1970.

The Mike Douglas Show, 1970.

The Movie Game, 1971.

Dr. Linda Wilson, "No Margin for Error," Medical Center, CBS, 1973.

Geraldine Stern, "Web of Intrigue," Medical Center, CBS, 1974.

Mrs. Shaninger, "Crossfire," Streets of San Francisco, ABC, 1974.

"The Truck Murders," The Manhunter, 1974.

Mrs. Brandt, "Old Fashioned Murder," Columbo, NBC, 1976.

"The Bluegrass Special," The World of Disney, NBC, 1977.

Dolly Tucker, "I Do, I Do," The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (also known as Wonder Woman), CBS, 1977.

"You Can't Have My Baby," Lucan, ABC, 1978.

Mabel Jarvis, "The Beachcomber/The Last Whodunit," Fantasy Island, ABC, 1978.

"Ronald Coleman," The Hollywood Greats (also known as Hollywood Greats), 1978.

Estelle Castlewood, "A Good and Faithful Servant," The Love Boat, ABC, 1979.

Claudia, "The Shattered Image," Trapper John, M.D., CBS, 1979.

Sister Veronica, "Winemaker," Fantasy Island, ABC, 1979.

Celebrity, "The Shady Hill Kidnapping," American Playhouse, PBS, 1982.

Lillie Townsend, "Don't Rain on My Charade," Trapper John, M.D., CBS, 1982.

Florence Flanders, "Bet on It," The Love Boat, ABC, 1984.

Katherine Hershey, "Company Secrets," Matt Houston, ABC, 1985.

Anna Rossini, "The Avenging Angel," Falcon Crest, 1985.

"Virginia Apgar," An American Portrait, CBS, 1986.

Abigail Baldwin, Carol mother, "The Love That Lies," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1987.

Rose, "Haunting," Spenser: For Hire, ABC, 1988.

Attitudes, Lifetime, 1989.

Miss Snow, "Polly," The Magical World of Disney, NBC, 1989.

Grandmother Gaines, "No Rest for the Woody," Cheers, NBC, 1992.

"Talking with …," Great Performances, PBS, 1994.

Hattie Greene, "Promised Land," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1996.

Hattie Greene, "Vengeance Is Mine: Part 1," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1998.

The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 2000.

"All About Eve," Backstory (also known as Hollywood Backstories), AMC, 2000.

"Gentleman's Agreement," Backstory (also known as Hollywood Backstories), AMC, 2000.

Florence, "Transformed," Third Watch, NBC, 2002.

Diana, "The Squatters," Whoopi, NBC, 2004.

Radio Appearances:

Interviewer, People at the UN, 1963-65.

WRITINGS

Books:

(With Max Wilk) Overture and Finale: Rodgers & Hammerstein and the Creation of Their Two Greatest Hits, Backstage Books, 1999.

RECORDINGS

Albums:

Performed on original cast albums of Oklahoma!, Bloomer Girl, and The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall.