Denison friends and colleagues,
I am saddened to share news of the death of Hal Holbrook ‘48. Hal’s many accomplishments on stage and screen are an indication of his incredible talent and dedication to his craft. He won five Emmy Awards for roles on television including a turn as President Lincoln, and he was nominated for an Oscar in his final film appearance in “Into The Wild.” Perhaps most of all, he was known for his eponymous one-man show, “Mark Twain Tonight,” which he performed for almost 60 years, applying Twain’s wit and wisdom to events of the day. I am proud to note that Hal originated his Twain performance here at Denison, under the direction of legendary theatre professor Ed Wright.
Hal was a great friend to Denison. He was generous with his time and his talent, visiting the campus, and hosting alumni events around the country after his performances. Denison awarded him an alumni citation in 2002 and an honorary doctorate in 1980 in honor of his considerable contributions to his profession. Hal’s lifetime of achievement is an example of the extraordinary power of the arts to educate, engage and embody our humanity.
We invite you to enjoy this warm conversation between Hal and alumnus Michael Eisner ‘64 at Holbrook’s home in 2015.
Adam Weinberg
President, Denison University