RIP: Holly Woodlawn, Transgendered Actress & Star Of Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side,” Dead @ 69

BBC: Holly Woodlawn, the transgender actress who inspired Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side and appeared in Andy Warhol’s 70s films Trash and Women in Revolt, has died of cancer aged 69. Reed’s opening lyrics read: “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” in his hit.Puerto-Rico born Woodlawn, born Haroldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl, took on her new name after leaving home aged 15 and hitchhiking to New York City. She told the Guardian in 2007 of her brief fame after appearing in Warhol’s films: “I was very happy when I gradually became a Warhol superstar. I felt like Elizabeth Taylor! “Little did I realise 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.” She also explained that she did not get to know Reed properly until after the song’s 1972 release. The paper said she decided against gender reassignment surgery in the late 60s, with her response being: “Honey, once they cut it off, it’s OFF!” Despite receiving critical acclaim for her film work, she did not find mainstream success. MORE