Turned down Henry Fonda`s role in Mister Roberts (1955).

Moved to Switzerland for tax reasons in 1959, and did not return to live in Hollywood until 1967.

He was so grateful to Barbara Stanwyck for her insistence on casting him in Golden Boy (1939), his first big role, that he reportedly sent her flowers every year on the anniversary of the first day of the filming.

He enjoyed firework displays.

Was an avid art collector. His private collection at his exclusive hilltop home in Palm Springs featured antique Asian art. Upon his death, the priceless collection was donated to the Palm Springs Museum of Art, where it is proudly displayed today.

A hygiene fanatic, he reportedly showered up to four times daily.

He was very instrumental in animal preservation in Africa. In the 1970s he purchased a large acreage of land with his own money and began an animal sanctuary. His love of the wild animal was shared with his then companion Stefanie Powers (from "Hart to Hart" (1979)). He would appear on talk shows to promote the saving of animals and to spread the word of anti-poaching and illegal animal trade

Brian Donlevy was his best man when Holden married Brenda Marshall in 1941.

Died from a laceration to his forehead which was caused by hitting his head during a bout of heavy drinking. He apparently remained conscious for half an hour or so after the injury but never realized he should phone for help. Had he done so, he would surely have lived.

Was the best man at Ronald Reagan`s and Nancy Davis` wedding in 1952.

US Army during WWII