Celeste Holm was an only child, born into a home where her mother was a painter and her father worked in insurance. She would study acting at the University of Chicago and make her stage debut in 1936. Her Broadway debut came when she was 19. She appeared in many successful plays including "The Women", "Oklahoma!" and "Bloomer Girl". It was in the production of "Oklahoma!" that Celeste would sing the show stopper "I Cain't Say No". She was signed by 20th Century Fox in 1946 and appeared in her first film 'Three Little Girls in Blue'. With her third film 'Gentlemen's Agreement (1947)', she would win the Supporting Actress Oscar and a Golden Globe. Celeste would be nominated twice more for Academy Awards in the 'Come to the Stable (1949)' and 'All About Eve (1950)'. But Celeste was a star who loved the stage so she left Hollywood, only to return for two MGM musicals in the fifties. They were 'The Tender Trap (1955)' and 'High Society (1956). In addition to her stage career, Celeste appeared on Television in her own series "Honestly Celeste (1954)" and as a panelist on "Who Pays? (1959)". In 1970, Celeste returned to series Television as the chaperone to the president's daughter on "Nancy". For the next two decades, she would appear on Television in regular series, mini series and movies.
Performed in five stage shows with George M. Cohan. Turned down the 1977 Broadway revival of "Oklahoma!" when she realized she was wanted for Aunt Eller not Ado Annie. Originated the role of boy-crazy Ado Annie, the girl who "cain't say no", in "Oklahoma!" on Broadway in the 40s. Recently won undisclosed settlement from 'Pedro Almodolvar' for his use of film footage of her from "All About Eve" without her permission in his film "All About My Mother"; her contract from the film stipulated her image could not be used. Is a spokesperson for UNICEF. Appointed to the National Arts Council by President Ronald Reagan Her professional theatrical debut was in a production of "Hamlet" with Leslie Howard (Ashley - Gone With the Wind) Inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1992 Tours occasionally with her one person show, "An Intimate Evening with Celeste" where she relates stories from her long film career, followed by readings from writer Ruth Draper. Was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Was knighted by King Olav of Norway She is the daughter of Theodor Holm, a Norwegian insurance adjuster for Loyd's of London, and Jean Parke Holm, an American portrait artist and author. Received an honorary degree from Seton Hall University in May 1991. In 1957, King Olav V of Norway made her Knight 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav for her help in saving one of Norway's national treasures, the schooner "Christian Radich." Her eldest son, Ted (Theodor Holm) Nelson, is an innovator in the information technology industry. It was Nelson who coined the term "hypertext", in the early 1960s. In April 2006, Holm was presented with one of the first two Lifetime Achievement Awards ever awarded by the SunDeis Film Festival at Brandeis University. (Margaret O'Brien received the other.)