Hal Holbrook, 'Deep Throat' on screen and Mark Twain on stage, dies at 95

Veteran actor Hal Holbrook has died at the age of 95. As reported by The New York Times, the well-known actor who played 'Deep Throat' in the film 'All the President's Men' died on 23 January at his home in Beverly Hills (California). The news did not become known until February 2nd.

(Photo: The Event / NBC)

With an extensive career behind him, Hal Holbrook leaves an unforgettable legacy in film, television and theater, including such important roles as Ron Franz in 'Into The Wild', which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2007.

This nomination was historical, because it made Hal Holbrook the longest-serving actor ever to receive an Oscar nomination in this category. In the end, despite his brilliant performance, he did not receive the famous award, but broke a lifetime record either way.

Holbrook made a name for himself in the one-man show 'Mark Twain Tonight!' He wrote it himself, based on the prose of the famous author, and focused on the humorous parts of his work. The show would run for six decades in theaters, another record-breaking achievement for the actor.

Holbrook's career includes numerous film titles of importance. He  appeared in movies like 'The Group' and 'Midway' (in the picture). For his role in the series 'The Senator' in 1970 and 1971, he received a Primetime Emmy Award.

This is a promotional still from the miniseries 'Lincoln' (in the 1970s) in which Hal Holbrook played the iconic US president. In the next decade, the actor would play President Lincoln a second time for the legendary miniseries 'North and South'.

After several years of supporting roles, he played one of his greatest characters in 1976: Deep Throat in the film 'All the President's Men.' From the obscurity of the role, a secret informant of two Washington Post reporters, Hal Holbrook managed to create one of the most interesting cinematic characters of that time.

A younger audience may remember him from the film adaptation of John Grisham's novel 'The Firm.' In 1993 he starred in the famous movie alongside a young Tom Cruise.

More than ten years later, he received his first Oscar nomination for his role in the film 'Into The Wild'. Holbrook played Ron Franz, a lonely retired widower who meets the protagonist on his trip to Alaska. The nomination was a great recognition, even though it did not materialize in the form of an award.

In the last years of his life and career, Hal Holbrook appeared in hit TV series such as 'Grey's Anatomy'.

(Photo: ABC)

Halbrook's episode in the famous ABC series told the life story of a veteran patient who stirs the feelings of the hospital crew.

(Photo: ABC)

Having played Abraham Lincoln in the 1970s, Holbrook would later appear in the successful film 'Lincoln' alongside Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis. He played Francis Preston Blair.

Here is one of Hal Holbrook's last film performances from the film 'Promised Land' with Matt Damon.

Another of his last appearances was in FX's 'Sons of Anarchy,' where he played one of the key characters.

(Photo: FX Networks)

The actor's wife was film and TV actress Dixie Carter. She passed away in in 2010 of uterine cancer. A little more than a decade later, Holbrook follows the path of his wife.

After a life full of successes and wonderful performances, Hal Holbrook has now said his last goodbye to Hollywood and the world. He will not be forgotten.

Read also: Cicely Tyson, actress from 'Roots' and 'The Help,' passes away at age 96