Holly Woodlawn

1946 - 2015

Holly Woodlawn

1946 - 2015

BORN

1946

DIED

2015

Holly Woodlawn Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 6, 2015.
Holly Woodlawn, the transgender actress featured in Lou Reed's 1972 song "Walk on the Wild Side," has died of cancer, The Associated Press and Variety report. She was 69.

Born Harold Danhakl, Woodlawn ran away from her Florida home at age 15. She hitchhiked to New York City, taking the name "Holly" from Holly Golightly, the heroine of Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffanys." The opening lines of "Walk on the Wild Side" - "Holly came from Miami, F.L.A. Hitchhiked her way across the U.S.A. - immortalized the tale of Woodlawn's transformation.

As one of Andy Warhol's drag queen "superstars," Woodlawn became a fixture of the New York 1970s underground scene. Her first role was with Joe Dallesandro in Paul Morrissey's 1970 "Trash," followed by a storied turn in Warhol's 1971 "Women in Revolt." Many of her movies, such as 1972's "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers," used Woodlawn's transgender experience to explore notions of sexual identity in American culture.

Woodlawn returned to Florida in 1979 and spent the next decade there. Her cult status helped her return to Hollywood, where she had small roles in 1990s independent films like "Night Owl," "Twin Falls Idaho" and "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss." She also traveled with and performed in her own cabaret show, and she recently had a guest-star role on Amazon's hit series "Transparent."

Per The Associated Press, Woodlawn's caretaker reports no survivors.

Sign Holly Woodlawn's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

November 8, 2018

Abe Zelazo posted to the memorial.

January 12, 2018

Ken Williams posted to the memorial.

December 19, 2015

gus gomez posted to the memorial.

28 Entries

Abe Zelazo

November 8, 2018

I remember her vividly, we were about the same age. She was a shock-trooper. People today cannot imagine what it was like for gay people back in 1970, but she had courage and nerve, and she lead the charge simply by being what she was. A true legend.

Ken Williams

January 12, 2018

The world will never be the same without you. I will miss you dearly. Love forever, Ken

paul dawber

December 16, 2015

Rest in peace Holly. a true lady.god bless sweetheart xxx

Enjoy life!

gus gomez

December 19, 2015

A pioneer for the transgender women to come. She was entertaining and fun. Times were hard for transsexuals, but the transsexuals, drag queens, transvestites, and Gay men and boys, found many ways of having fun, great times, during difficult times.

Dianne USA

December 18, 2015

The death of a loved one can cause much sadness. Hoping all Holly's family and friends can gain comfort in knowing that her death is simply a deep sleep that has relieved her of all pain and suffering. My deepest sympathy for your loss!

Jeneva Thomas

December 9, 2015

sorry for your loss

Sharon Tramutola

December 8, 2015

I feel like my youth has died with you. Thank you for being real.

Natalie Loveland Stone

December 8, 2015

Prayers Luck and Love... You worked with our family and saw the world as yours. Certainly a lady but taught us to be strong and wild. Love and Peace
Natalie Loveland Stone
Of the Woll and Geddes Family
You will be missed by all and live on in memory eternally :0) Pshhhhh no fear only love. But you know that!

December 8, 2015

Thank you for your courage and determination to be yourself, thereby inspiring so many. RIP.

eric b

December 7, 2015

Celluloid heroes never really die. God bless you and yours.

Tears are Falling

Patricia A Jublikhan PC

December 7, 2015

JF

December 7, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Keith T.

December 7, 2015

A true trailblazer. May you rest in peace.

December 7, 2015

May support from loves ones give comfort at this sad time. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Harry Simpson

December 7, 2015

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

TRIAD / MC

David J Bhaltazhar Esq

December 7, 2015

December 7, 2015

adious ids r.i.h.

Deborah F.

December 7, 2015

Rest in peace Holly. I met you once in my life--what a pleasure it was.

Jane Dowling

December 7, 2015

God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.

Emma Curry

December 7, 2015

I am sorry to hear of your loss. May friends find comfort in knowing that God cares.

W. B. Coit

December 7, 2015

Holly Woodlawn, Jackie Curtis, and Candy Darling, reunited again in the Magic Lantern of the evening sky. Sleep Soundly, Superstars. Love, Always.

Troy

December 7, 2015

My wife and I are very sorry for your loss. We hope you can draw some comfort from Psalms 37:18,19.

Adrian Barnette

December 7, 2015

GOD bless you !

Cherie Blair

December 7, 2015

What a lovely tribute. Rest forever in peace..

December 7, 2015

My condolences to your family and friends for the loss of your dear loved one. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful time spent together with Them. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.

F Montag

December 7, 2015

I have found that the most original people on this Earth are the nicest and most tolerant. I hope that one day, we all get to encounter such beings and know that the Universe is so much larger than the image given to us by our parents, our schools, and our churches. Rest well, Ms. Woodlawn. Thanks for being You.

Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results

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Sign Holly Woodlawn's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

November 8, 2018

Abe Zelazo posted to the memorial.

January 12, 2018

Ken Williams posted to the memorial.

December 19, 2015

gus gomez posted to the memorial.