Holland Taylor is an American actress and playwright best known for her roles in the TV series Two and a Half Men and Practice. For her work in these films, she was awarded a number of nominations for the American Television Emmy Award. Also, the actress can be seen in such films as “Legally Blonde, ” “Spy Kids 3: Game Over, ” “Groom for Rent, ” and others.
Biography
Actress Holland Taylor was born on January 14, 1943 in the American city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born into the family of the successful lawyer C. Tracy Taylor and recognized artist Virginia Taylor in her circles. Holland became the youngest, third daughter of her parents. The actress has older sisters - Patricia Taylor and Pamela Taylor.
Holland Taylor attended Westtown School, a boarding school in Pennsylvania. Her passion for performing on stage and acting made her plan her professional future in the entertainment industry. After graduating from high school, Holland entered Bennington College, which she successfully graduated in 1964, receiving a diploma in drama.
Pennsylvania Boarding School Westtown School Photo: Lucas Braun / Wikimedia Commons
The aspiring actress was well aware of the difficulties she would have to face if she moved to Los Angeles. Therefore, she decided to go to New York and try her hand at Broadway, which in the 1960s was in its prime. Soon, Holland Taylor began appearing in "Broadway" and "off-Broadway" projects.
New York City View Photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons
Her performances attracted the attention of representatives of the film industry. Soon she began to receive offers to participate in television projects, where she also earned a reputation as a talented actress.
Career and creativity
Holland Taylor's professional career has been very successful. As an aspiring actress, she took part in the "Broadway" productions of famous playwrights Simon Gray and A.R. Gurney. One of them, a performance in The Cocktail Hour, earned her a nomination for the annual Drama Desk Awards.
Over the next few decades, she successfully combined work on stage, in film and on television. In 1969, the actress received her debut television role in the series "JT". However, Holland's performance went unnoticed, and the picture was closed shortly after the release due to low ratings. This was followed by roles in the series "Somerset, " "Love is a very sparkling thing, " and "Beacon Hill."
In 1976, she made her film debut. The actress played the role of an interviewer in the film directed by Richard S. Sarafyan, "The Next Man." Taylor later appeared in the soap opera The Edge of Night. The image of Denise Cavanaugh, a girl who is ready to kill herself out of a desire to annoy her husband, brought her widespread fame and an invitation to star in the sitcom "Side Friends" with Tom Hanks in the title role.
Over the next few years, Holland Taylor played leading roles in both comic and drama projects. In 1990, she starred in the television series "Going Places", where she again worked with the production team of "Best Friends". And in 1992, the actress played the role of the wife of an American senator in the serial film "Those in Power."
In 1995, Taylor got the lead role in the television sitcom Naked Truth, which was broadcast on ABC from 1995 to 1996, and then went on NBC until 1998. The picture was a success and made the actress recognizable in almost every home in America.
American actor, producer and filmmaker Tom HanksPhoto: Dick Thomas Johnson / Wikimedia Commons
In 1998, she received an invitation to play key roles in the science fiction film The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey and the legal drama Practice. She then appeared in films such as Legally Blonde, Spy Kids 2: Island of Unfulfilled Hopes, and Spy Kids 3: Game Over.
In 2003, she was offered the role of the mother of the main characters of the American comedy series "Two and a Half Men." Her work was highly praised by film critics and awarded four nominations for the prestigious Emmy Television Award.
In subsequent years, the actress continued to act in films and perform on the stage. Among her later works, roles in such projects as “Sex in another city”, “The Chosen One”, “There are simply no words”, “Good Behavior”, “Mr. Mercedes”, “Gloria Bell” and others.
And today, Holland Taylor remains a sought-after actress. In 2020, several premieres are planned with her participation. Among them are such films as “To All the Guys I Loved Before 2”, “Bill and Ted”, “Hollywood” and “The Stand-In”.
