Holly Woodlawn (born Haroldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl; October 26, 1946 – December 6, 2015) was a Puerto Rican-born actress and a notable figure of late-20th-century American counterculture. She lived publicly as a transgender woman and became widely recognized through her association with Andy Warhol's Factory and a small number of landmark underground films. Woodlawn’s life and persona attracted attention beyond cinema, making her an enduring symbol for parts of the LGBT and Latinx communities.

Early life and arrival in New York

Woodlawn was born in 1946 and later moved to New York, where she became part of the downtown art and performance scene. Her adopted name and flamboyant public image were shaped in this milieu of experimental theater, fashion, and nightlife. She was known for her candid storytelling about life on the margins, and for transforming personal experience into public performance.

Work with Warhol and film roles

Holly became associated with Andy Warhol and the group of actors and personalities that surrounded him. She gained most of her screen fame through Paul Morrissey–directed films produced by Warhol, notably Trash (1970) and Women in Revolt (1972). These films, made on low budgets and often cast with real Factory figures instead of professional actors, emphasized raw portrayals of society’s outsider figures and helped bring Woodlawn a particular kind of visibility.

Notable works

  • Trash — breakthrough role within the Factory circle
  • Women in Revolt — satirical take on politics and gender
  • Public interviews, performances, and a later memoir recounting her experiences

Legacy and cultural significance

Woodlawn’s influence extended beyond acting. She was immortalized in popular culture and is frequently cited as an inspiration and early visible transgender figure in American media. Her life was celebrated by admirers for its defiant visibility at a time when transgender people and Latinx performers had very limited representation. She is also referenced in pop music and histories of the era; for example, she is often associated with the Lou Reed song that spotlighted several Factory personalities.

Death and remembrance

Holly Woodlawn died in Los Angeles at age 69. Reports indicated she had been treated for serious illness in her final years. Her death prompted obituaries and remembrances that highlighted her role in the Warhol circle, her contributions to underground cinema, and her place in the history of gender and cultural visibility. For contemporary readers exploring her life, see sources on her identity as a transgender performer, her time as a Warhol superstar, accounts of her later life in Los Angeles in California, and reports about the illness that led to her passing.