Cleo Holladay

Grand Lady of the American Theatre

Cleo Holladay (circa 1952)

Remembering the Forgotten Coast in Cleo Holladay's OYSTERTOWN (click picture for article)

Mary Martin, Broadway star of PETER PAN, SOUND OF MUSIC, SOUTH PACIFIC, I DO - I DO and many others. Mary won the 1955 Barter Theatre Broadway Award and it was she who chose Cleo Holladay as the winner of the 1955 Barter Theatre National Award.

Award Winner

In 1952 Cleo Holladay won the coveted Virginia Drama Award presented by the world famous Barter Theatre to college theatre majors. Then in 1955 she was selected by the great actress Mary Martin for the top honor in the Barter National Award. To this day, Miss Holladay remains the only performer ever to have won both awards. (Pictured LEFT: Mary Martin, ABOVE: Robert Porterfield founder of the Barter Theatre)

Memphis Arena Theatre

Cleo Holladay and Rex Partington met in 1952 while both performing at the Memphis Arena Theatre which was located in the Hotel King Cotton. Pictured above: the Memphis Arena Theatre production of HER CARDBOARD LOVER with Ava Gabor and Rex Partington.

Cleo Holladay and Caddell Burrows in THE SHOW OFF at the Memphis Arena Theatre, 1952

Marriage

September 26, 1953

Cleo Holladay and Rex Partington were married on September 26, 1953.

New York and Broadway

The great Dennis King, who said to Cleo and Rex about LUNATIC AND LOVERS; "The only thing you can learn from this piece of shit is timing. And I'm not on stage!"

After marrying, Cleo and Rex appeard on Broadway in the forgettable LUNATICS AND LOVERS with Dennis King.

Minnesota and Regional Theatre

Old Log Theater

After her move to Minnesota in 1963 with husband Rex Partington, Cleo resumed her acting career in earnest; appearing in many local television commercials, doing voice-over work, modeling and starring in dozens of plays at the legendary Old Log Theater in Excelsior, Minnesota. Theater founder, producer and artistic director Don Stolz lovingly (and perhaps rightly) dubbed Cleo Holladay the "Queen" of the Old Log.

Longtime friend and colleague, Don Stolz

Interior of the Old Log Theater

AIRPORT - The Disaster Film That Started It All

In the winter of 1969 Hollywood came to Minnesota. The best selling book - of the same name - by Arthur Hailey was adapted for the screen by Hailey and director George Seaton. Shot primarily at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, casting of the supporting roles was done locally. The Trans Global Airlines reservations agent Abby, who has the critical conversation with Inez Guerrero (Maureen Stapleton) was portrayed by Cleo Holladay. Below, is the pivitol scene with Maureen Stapleton and Cleo Holladay.

A Cleo Holladay Gallery

Cleo Holladay and Rex Partington in George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA

Cleo Holladay and Michael Tolaydo in George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA

Cleo Holladay in the 1976 Barter Theatre production of RELATIVELY SPEAKING

L-R: Max Gulack, Cleo Holladay and Rex Partington in George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA

CANDIDA On Tour! The Barter Theatre production of CANDIDA on regional tour. (Far left Rex Partington, next Max Gulack, third from right Cleo Holladay, George Hosmer, Michael Tolaydo)

Cleo Holladay and cast in the Barter Theatre production of THE ROYAL FAMILY (1980)

Cleo Holladay in THE ROYAL FAMILY

"This summer, we'll be wearing ribbons down our backs." Cleo Holladay, Rex Partington and Virginia Mattis in Thorton Wilder's THE MATCHMAKER

Cleo Holladay as Mrs. "Lighthorse" Harry Lee in the world premiere of the Romulus Linney play DEMOCRACY