Icons - Holly Woodlawn

"Holly came from Miami FLA, 

Hitch hiked her way across the USA,

Plucked her eyebrows on the way,

Shaved her legs and then she was a he,

She said hey babe, take a walk on the wild side."

(Lyrics from Lou Reed's song 'Walk on the Wild Side')

Holly Woodlawn was an Actress and 'Andy Warhol' 'Supperstar' who rose to fame in the 'Factory' produced movie's 'Trash', 'Women in Revolt' and 'Broken Goddess'. She is perhaps best known for being immortalized in the 'Lou Reed' song 'Take a Walk on the Wild Side' alongside other 'Factory' stars: 'Candy Darling', 'Jackie Curtis' and 'Joe Dallesandro'.

Born Haroldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl in 1946. She adopted the name Holly from the heroine in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and later added the surname from a sign she saw on an episode of 'I Love Lucy'. After changing her name she began to tell people she was the heiress to Woodlawn Cemetery.

She was born in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico but grew up Miami Beach, Florida. In 1962 she sold some jewelry and headed to New York. She got as far as Georgia where the money ran out and she hitchhiked the rest of the way.

She met 'Andy Warhol' in the 'Factory' at a screening of 'Flesh'. Through him she met 'Jackie Curtis', who cast Woodlawn in her play 'Heaven Grand in Amber Orbit' in the autumn of 1969. In October she was assigned a bit role in 'Trash', but so impressed director 'Paul Morrissey' that she was given a larger role. In 1970 she received word from the 'Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' that 'George Cukor', supported by others, was petitioning the 'Academy' to nominate her for 'Trash'. Unfortunately nothing came of this campaign. 

By 1976 the work had dried up, and Woodlawn moved to San Francisco. She returned to New York later in the year and had a brief revival after appearing on 'Geraldo Rivera's' talk show. 

Woodlawn continued to make cameo appearances in plays and films such as 'Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss' throughout the 1980s and 1990s. 'After Warhol's' death, she was a frequently requested commentator on his life and influence. Woodlawn began performing in cabaret shows in sold-out New York and Los Angeles performances in the early 2000s. She currently resides in West Hollywood. 

Her life story can be found in her autobiography 'A Low Life in High Heels - The Holly Woodlawn Story'.