Hal Rowe Holbrook Jr. was an American film and stage actor, and director. He is best known for his portrayal of the author, Mark Twain. He started his career with stage plays, playing the great author. Later, he played Mark Twain in several TV networks too. His creativity in performing the role impressed his audiences. For many years, the name Holbrook was synonymous with ‘Mark Twain.’ He also played other famous people such as Abraham Lincoln. Holbrook gained international reputation for his performance in various movies. Despite being a renowned actor, he never played the lead role in any movie. He would always play the father, the lawyer, or the military officer, and each time, he would perform convincingly. The veteran actor earned an ‘Academy Award’ nomination at the age of 82. His admirers felt that this recognition was long overdue. At an age when most actors consider retirement, Holbrook remained active and vigorous. He was honored with the National Humanities Medal in 2003.
