Holly Woodlawn, Inspiration for Lou Reed’s "Walk on the Wild Side", Has Died

Image via Holly Woodlawn’s Facebook

Holly Woodlawn, the actress, transgender icon, and inspiration for Lou Reed‘s “Walk On The Wild Side” has died, Billboard reports. She was 69 years old.

In addition to being one of Andy Warhol’s muses, Woodlawn was immortalized in the opening lyrics of Reed’s song, which famously begins: “Holly came from Miami, F-L-A/ Hitchhiked her way across the U.S.A/ Plucked her eyebrows on the way/ Shaved her legs, and then he was a she/ She said, ‘hey babe, take a walk on the wild side’.”

The Holly in reference is Holly Woodlawn, who was inspired by Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Woodlawn appeared in the films Trash (1970), Women in Revolt (1972), Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998) and others.

Listen to “Walk On The Wild Side”:

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