Holbrook in 2012, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Harold Rowe Holbrook, Jr.
Date of Birth: February 17, 1925
Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Date of Death: January 23, 2021
Place of Death: Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, small amounts of Irish, German, and Welsh
Hal Holbrook was an American actor, television director, and writer. He is known for his Tony-winning one-man show Mark Twain Tonight!, performed for seven decades, as well as for the films The Group, All the President’s Men, Midway (1976), Rituals/The Creeper, Julia, Capricorn One, The Fog, Creepshow, Wall Street, The Firm, Disney’s Hercules, Eye of God, Waking the Dead, Men of Honor, The Majestic, Into the Wild, That Evening Sun, Water for Elephants, Lincoln, and Promised Land, and the mini-series North and South.
He was the son of Aileen R. (Davenport) Holbrook, a vaudeville dancer, and Harold Rowe Holbrook. He had Colonial American ancestry, with deep roots in New England. Hal and his sisters were raised by their paternal grandparents in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and also Lakewood, in Cleveland.
Hal was married to actress Dixie Carter, until her death. He had two children with his former wife Ruby Elaine Johnston; and one child with his former wife Carol Eve Rossen. Carol was the daughter of screenwriter, film director, and producer Robert Rossen.
Hal’s paternal grandfather was Allen Vining Holbrook (the son of George Holbrook and Lois Bates Vining). Allen was born in Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts. George was the son of Jason Holbrook and Caroline White. Lois was the daughter of Allen Vining and Jane White Bates.
Hal’s paternal grandmother was Minnie Alberta Rowe (the daughter of David Norton Rowe and Elizabeth Leach/Leatch). Minnie was born in Prescott, Ontario, Canada. David was the son of John Rowe/Row and Sophia/Stephanie. Elizabeth was the daughter of George Leach/Leatch and Maria, who was born in Ireland.
Hal’s maternal grandfather was George E. Davenport (the son of Hollis W. Davenport and Jemima J. Williams). George was born in Ohio. Hollis was the son of Edson Davenport and Jane Saddoris, whose father was from Saar, Germany, and whose mother had Welsh ancestry.
Hal’s maternal grandmother was Jane/Jennie Rosamond Bowling (the daughter of Hiram Bowling and Emma Clarissa Botkin). Jane was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. Hiram likely was the son of James Bowling and Keziah Martin. Emma was the daughter of John R. Botkin and Sofelia I. Littleton.
Sources: Genealogy of Hal Holbrook –
Genealogy of Hal Holbrook (focusing on his father’s side) –
Hal Holbrook on the 1930 U.S. Census –
Hal’s father on the 1910 U.S. Census –
Hal’s father on the 1920 U.S. Census –
Birth record of Hal’s paternal grandfather, Allen Vining Holbrook –
Marriage record of Hal’s maternal grandparents, George E. Davenport and Jane/Jennie Rosamond Bowling –
Hal’s maternal grandfather, George E. Davenport, on the 1880 U.S. Census –
George E. Davenport on the 1900 U.S. Census –
Death records of Hal’s maternal grandmother, Jane/Jennie Rosamond (Bowling) Davenport –
