Arts & Entertainment

Holly Woodlawn dies at 69

Warhol superstar passes away

Published

11 years ago

December 7, 2015

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot courtesy of Youtube)

Transgender actress Holly Woodlawn died on Sunday after battling cancer. She was 69.

Woodlawn was famously one of Andy Warhol’s many “superstars.” Woodlawn, born Haroldo Danhakl in Puerto Rico, hitchhiked to New York City at 15. There, she met Warhol and starred in Paul Morrissey’s 1970 film “Trash.” She also appeared alongside fellow trans icons Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis in Warhol and Morrissey’s 1971 film “Women in Revolt.”

Woodlawn’s origin story also inspired Lou Reed’s classic song “Walk on the Wild Side.”

“Holly came from Miami, F.L.A. Hitchhiked her way across the USA. 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,” Reed sings.

In the ’90s Woodlawn went on to write her memoir “A Low Life in High Heels.” She also appeared in independent films such as “Night Owl” and “Billy’s Big Hollywood Kiss.”

One of her latest projects was in the role Vivian on the first season of “Transparent.”

Her “Trash” co-star Joe Dallesandro, who frequently appeared in Warhol’s films, tweeted about Woodlawn’s passing.

“Holly Woodlawn was in Room 306 when I arrived to see her today. At 3:06pm LA time, she passed away,” Dallesandro tweeted.

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Bars & Parties

Queer Magic dance party planned

Tarot, dancing, drag and more at Black Cat event

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

Michael Key

Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m.

There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sapphica, and dancing to a blend of smooth R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop by Slammer & Saba. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 (plus fees) in advance, purchased here.

Out & About

NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade

Local queer journalists celebrate Pride

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.

Out & About

DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday

Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

The 14th annual DC Front Runners' Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m.

Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.

The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.