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Immortalized by Warhol: Transgender superstar Holly Woodlawn dies at 69

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Immortalized by Warhol: Transgender superstar Holly Woodlawn dies at 69

Holly Woodlawn, the transgender actress made famous by Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey in their 1970s films “Trash” and “Women in Revolt,” died Sunday in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer, said her former caretaker and friend Mariela Huerta. Born Harold Danhakl, she took on the name Holly Woodlawn after running away from home at age 15 and hitchhiking to New York City, where she became one of Warhol’s drag queen “superstars.” Her story was immortalized in the first lines of the Lou Reed song “Walk on the Wild Side.”

Holly came from Miami, F.L.A. Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A. Plucked her eyebrows on the way. Shaved her legs and then he was a she. She says, ‘Hey, babe, take a walk on the wild side.’

Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side”

Woodlawn received critical acclaim for her film roles, but she couldn’t find mainstream success. Her cult status helped her make a comeback in such 1990s independent films as “Twin Falls Idaho” and “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss.” More recently, she appeared in the TV comedy “Transparent.”

I felt like Elizabeth Taylor! Little did I realize that not only would there be no money, but that your star would flicker for two seconds and that was it. But it was worth it, the drugs, the parties, it was fabulous.

Holly Woodlawn in an interview with the Guardian

She inspired a Lou Reed classic with her fearless spirit! Rest in peace Holly.