The story of Earl Holliman’s journey to Hollywood is one of aspiration and perseverance. In 1943, Holliman was 14 years old and adamant about wanting to be a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, rather than Shreveport as is frequently stated, he traveled via a number of locations before arriving in Hollywood.
He first went to see relatives in Camden, Arkansas, and from there he bused himself to Texarkana. He took a rideshare to Hollywood from there.
Holliman had worked the night shift at a diner close to Barksdale Air Force Base and as a theater usher, so he had saved some money. A serviceman he met at the cafe even gave him a lead on a place to stay, which turned out to be in El Monte, California, a good distance from Hollywood. Looking back on his trip, Holliman acknowledges that it was a dangerous decision that wouldn’t be prudent in the modern day.
DAILY LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD
After his initial try in Hollywood failed, Holliman made a quick trip back home before deciding to serve in the Navy. But his desire to be a movie star never went away. Later on, he went back to Los Angeles to continue his education at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Pasadena Playhouse.
Holliman’s perseverance was rewarded. With parts in “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder,” he amassed an amazing reel of cinematic credits. Additionally, he gained recognition for his television appearances, most notably in “Police Woman” with Angie Dickinson and in “The Thorn Birds” with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.
Holliman remembers his Hollywood days fondly, especially his first morning there. Wearing dark glasses and a silk shirt with short sleeves, he strutted in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, wondering if anyone thought he was a celebrity. The naive hopes of youth were present in that moment.
Check out the image below to see Earl Holliman’s current age of 95:
Scientists Discover the Reason Humans Lost Their Tails
One of the most remarkable changes in human evolution is the loss of our tails, a transformation that occurred around 25 million years ago. This pivotal shift not only altered the trajectory of our species but also marked a significant moment in the evolutionary history of primates. While scientists have long speculated on why humans lost their tails, the genetic cause has remained elusive—until now. A recent study published in Nature has finally uncovered the genetic factors responsible for this evolutionary change.
The Quest to Understand Tail Loss
The journey to unravel the mystery of human tail loss began in an unexpected way. Bo Xia, a graduate student at New York University, was inspired to investigate the origins of the human tailbone after injuring his own coccyx. This personal curiosity led Xia and his team to embark on a groundbreaking scientific investigation.
Through careful research, the team focused on the TBXT gene, which plays a crucial role in regulating tail length in various species. Their research revealed a unique genetic mutation within this gene, providing a major breakthrough in understanding human evolution.
The Role of Jumping Genes
A key aspect of this discovery lies in the role of Alu elements, often called “jumping genes.” These genetic elements, specific to primates, can move within the genome and cause significant changes. The researchers found that Alu elements inserted themselves into the TBXT gene, triggering a chain reaction that led to the loss of our tails.
This insertion activated a process known as alternative splicing, where RNA molecules are cut and restructured, which ultimately led to the deletion of a crucial exon. This change altered the structure and function of the resulting protein, leading to the tail loss seen in humans.
Validation Through Mice Studies
To confirm their findings, the researchers engineered laboratory mice with the same genetic mutations found in humans and apes. These genetically altered mice lost their tails, providing compelling evidence that the identified mutation plays a crucial role in the absence of tails in humans and other primates.
However, the study also uncovered a downside to tail loss: an increased risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. This finding highlights the complex balance between evolutionary benefits and potential genetic trade-offs.
The Broader Implications
This discovery has profound implications not just for understanding human evolution, but also for human anatomy and health. The loss of our tails was not a random event but a genetic adaptation with lasting consequences. It illustrates the complex relationship between genetic changes and the way they shape our physiology over time.
As we continue to study our evolutionary past, these findings remind us of the intricate process of natural selection and genetic innovation that has shaped humanity. This breakthrough also underscores the power of scientific inquiry in uncovering the mysteries of our origins, offering insight into the past that can help us understand our future.
The identification of the genetic reasons behind tail loss is a testament to the persistence of scientific exploration and the ongoing quest for knowledge about our evolutionary journey.
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