Rock Hudson Actor

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Rock Hudson Actor
“As you get older, you learn to keep your mouth shut more, because you never know how badly you're going to embarrass yourself later.” “I always consider my job just as someone working in an office. Past 5 p.m., I lead my very own existence far from the cameras. It's essential for an actor to clearly separate private life from work ... essential for me, anyway.”
Noted for his exceptional good looks and comedic film performance, Rock Hudson was an iconic actor who, later in life, contracted and died from the AIDS virus.
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Rock Hudson began his career as a heartthrob, recognized widely for his good looks. Critics acknowledged his acting talent in Giant (1956), which also starred heavy-hitters Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean . He co-starred with Doris Day in many hit films, including Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me No Flowers (1964). In 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS. The following year, he became one of the first celebrities to disclose both his homosexuality and AIDS diagnosis. Hudson was the first major celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness, on October 2, 1985, at age 59, in Beverly Hills, California.
Hudson was born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, and would go on to become an immensely popular actor, recognized widely for his good looks. During the Great Depression, his father, Roy Harold Scherer, lost his job as an auto mechanic and left the family. When Hudson was eight years old, his mother, Katherine Wood, remarried and the actor took the surname of his stepfather, Wallace Fitzgerald. Growing up, Hudson did not excel academically but had a certain charisma that made him popular among classmates.
In 1944, Hudson joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Philippines. Shortly after his discharge in 1946, he decided to move to Hollywood, California, to pursue an acting career. While he found work as a truck driver, most of his free time was spent hanging around the studios and handing out headshots to studio executives. It's not surprising that people soon began to take notice of the aspiring actor, with his good looks and charm.
In 1947, talent scout Henry Wilson took an interest in Hudson, taking the soon-to-be actor on as his protégé and crafting the moniker by which he's now best known: "Rock" for the rock of Gibraltar, and "Hudson" for the Hudson River.
Hudson had no professional training as an actor, which proved a difficult feat to overcome. After a few setbacks, Hudson broke into the business, acquiring a contract with Warner Brothers and landing his first role in the feature film Fire Squadron. In 1948, Universal Pictures bought out Hudson's contract with Warner Brothers and provided him with acting lessons.
Hudson went on to play bit roles in a number of films until he was hired as a lead in Douglas Sirk's Magnificent Obsession (1954). This film established Hudson as a star and his career, subsequently, began to skyrocket. He starred in several dramatic movies, including the critically acclaimed Giant (1956). Hudson received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in the film.
A pivotal period for Hudson's career came in 1959. He was cast opposite Day in Pillow Talk , the first of a film series in which he portrayed the romantic lead. The dashing actor quickly became a heartthrob; women lusted after him and men wanted to be him. He paired with Day in a number of later films, including Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me No Flowers (1964). In 1966, the actor took a chance and accepted a role that was well out of his now-normal spectrum: He starred in John Frankenheimer's Seconds , a sci-fi thriller that wasn't well-received by audiences.
In 1971, Hudson joined the cast of the popular television investigative series Macmillin and Wife . In the '80s, he appeared on the show Dynasty .
Hudson married Phyllis Gates, an aspiring actress, in 1955. Unbeknownst to Phyllis, the marriage was arranged by her employer, Hudson's agent Wilson, to keep up appearances. A gay man, Hudson was not outward about his homosexuality due to the social stigma surrounding the topic at the time; he feared that publicly discussing it would be negative for his career. The marriage lasted for only three years; while Hudson was in Italy filming 1957's A Farewell to Arms , the couple divorced.
Throughout his career, Hudson's public image remained untarnished, but his private life was somewhat torturous. He had a number of homosexual lovers but continued to keep his sexuality a secret.
In June 1984, Hudson went to visit a doctor aboutan irritation on his neck. The irritation turned out to be a lesion and a sign of Kaposi sarcoma, a cancerous tumor that affects AIDS patients. Rock Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS on June 5, 1984. A year later, on July 25, 1985, he publicly announced that he was suffering from the disease — becoming one of the first celebrities to do so, as well as one of the first to disclose his homosexuality. His openness was a catalyst for public awareness of the worldwide epidemic.
Hudson spent the remainder of his life surrounded by friends and family. He died from AIDS-related complications on October 2, 1985, at the age of 59, in Beverly Hills, California. He was the first major celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness. Today, Rock Hudson is remembered not only for his legacy as a talented screen actor, but for his courageous choice to go public about his AIDS diagnosis.
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Former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member Chris Rock has appeared in such films as 'Bad Company' and is the creator of the television show 'Everybody Hates Chris.'
Jennifer Hudson is an Oscar and Grammy-winning actress and singer known for roles in 'Dreamgirls' and 'Sex and the City.'
Kate Hudson and her boyfriend Danny Fujikawa welcomed their daughter into the world in October 2018. “We have decided to name our daughter Rani (pronounced Ronnie) after her grandfather, Ron Fujikawa," Hudson wrote on Instagram. "Ron was the most special man who we all miss dearly. To name her after him is an honor."
Oliver Hudson is an American actor and producer best known for his role as Adam Rhodes on the hit television show Rules of Engagement.
Kid Rock is an American singer, musician and record producer who came to fame with his unique blend of rap, heavy metal and country rock.
English explorer Henry Hudson embarked on multiple sailing voyages that provided new information on North American water routes.
Jimmy Stewart was a major motion-picture star known for his portrayals of diffident but morally resolute characters in films such as 'It’s a Wonderful Life.'
Movie actor and cultural icon James Dean starred in 'East of Eden,' 'Rebel Without a Cause' and 'Giant.' He was killed in a tragic car accident at age 24.
Paul Newman came to be known as one of the finest actors of his time with films like 'Cool Hand Luke' and 'The Hustler.' He also started the Newman's Own food company, which donates all profits to charity.

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Moved from westerns to sob stories to sosphisticated comedies


Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#28). [1995]


The Prudential Life Insurance Co. stopped using its slogan "Get a Piece of the Rock" after Hudson's death from AIDS and the slogan became the subject of ridicule.


Went to the same school, New Trier Township High School East (Winnetka, Illinois), as Ann-Margret , Charlton Heston , Ralph Bellamy , Hugh O'Brian , Bruce Dern , Penelope Milford , Virginia Madsen and Liz Phair .


Worked as a truck driver when he first moved to Los Angeles, but he spent his spare time idling outside of studio gates and sending photographs of himself to various producers.


Talent scout Henry Willson coined the stage name, "Rock Hudson", by combining the Rock of Gibraltar and the Hudson River.


Although he tried out for roles in school plays, Hudson failed to win any because he could not remember lines.


Enamored of movies as a teenager, he worked as an usher. Before taking his first film role, he got his teeth capped and was coached intensively in acting, singing, dancing, fencing and riding. Still, it took no less than 38 takes before he could successfully complete one line in his first picture, Fighter Squadron (1948).


Hudson was the original choice to play Jason Colby in the Dynasty (1981) spin off The Colbys (1985), but had to turn it down due to his declining health. The part went to Charlton Heston instead. By the time he had taken the guest role of Daniel Reece on Dynasty (1981) in late 1984, the AIDS virus was consuming him. Before long, he was suffering from memory loss and was forced to use cue cards to read his lines. He also had difficulty speaking. When he went to Carmel, California, in July 1985 to help his Pillow Talk (1959) co-star Doris Day launch her cable series, Doris Day's Best Friends (1985), his gaunt appearance and obvious disorientation suddenly became the media focus of what was meant to be a joyous reunion of one of Hollywood's favorite on-screen couples. He died just three months later.


Involved with Marc Christian during the period he knew he had AIDS, but allegedly did not disclose it to Christian. Christian hired Marvin Mitchelson , and sued Hudson's estate for damages and emotional distress. He won a $21.7 million jury award in 1989, which was reduced to $5.5 million in 1991.


Underwent emergency quintuple heart bypass surgery to relieve severely clogged coronary arteries in November 1981 after suffering chest pains, and began smoking again soon after leaving the hospital. Consequently he was very frail during the filming of The Ambassador (1984), while in Israel during the winter of 1983-84, and he did not get along with his alcoholic co-star Robert Mitchum . Production on the television series The Devlin Connection (1982) was also suspended for a year while he was recovering from quintuple heart bypass surgery.


Hudson and his partner Marc Christian went out of their way while traveling near downtown Los Angeles, so that the couple could meet Michael Jackson during the filming of his award-winning music video, Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983).


According to the book, "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson", the original plan was to call him "Roc" but someone pointed out the possibility of confusion with the 1940s actress, Rochelle Hudson , so a "k" was added and "Roc" became "Rock".


Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981- 1985, pages 405-407. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.


Following a right-shoulder injury in 1973, often used his left hand to write and pick up objects on McMillan & Wife (1971).


In 1977 he toured 13 cities as King Arthur in the musical "Camelot".


A conservative Republican, Hudson joined Ronald Reagan , John Wayne , Irene Dunne and Raymond Massey in campaigning for Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election. Hudson stayed at the White House in May 1984 as a guest of then President Ronald Reagan . First Lady Nancy Reagan wrote to Hudson saying how glad she and her husband were to see him looking well following his operation.


Made "Top 10 Stars of the Year" a record eight times, from 1957-1964.


Was very close friends with singer Dusty Springfield .


Grew a mustache and sideburns for his role in The Undefeated (1969). Afterwards he decided to retain that look throughout the 1970s.


Early in his career he had surgery on his vocal chords to make his voice deeper, and had his teeth capped. The surgery had the unfortunate side effect of making it impossible for Hudson to learn to sing. Therefore when he played King Arthur in "Camelot" he had to talk his way through the songs, just as Rex Harrison did in My Fair Lady (1964).


He was the original choice to play Jason Colby in the Dynasty (1981) spin off The Colbys (1985), but had to turn it down due to his declining health. The part went to Charlton Heston instead.


Was seriously considered for the male lead in Alfred Hitchcock 's Marnie (1964), and actually met with Hitchcock, but was turned down in favor of Sean Connery .


In order to make A Farewell to Arms (1957), he turned down Marlon Brando 's role in Sayonara (1957), William Holden 's role in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), and Charlton Heston 's role in Ben-Hur (1959). The three films he had turned down went on to become hugely successful and were critically acclaimed, while A Farewell to Arms (1957) proved to be one of the biggest flops in history.


After announcing he had AIDS in July 1985, Hudson received telegrams of support from Frank Sinatra , Gregory Peck , Marlene Dietrich , James Garner , Carol Burnett , Ali MacGraw , Jack Lemmon , Richard Dreyfuss , Ava Gardner , Mickey Rooney , Milton Berle and Madonna . President Ronald Reagan , who had recently undergone surgery for colon cancer, personally telephoned him at the hospital.


He was very near-sighted and wore glasses all the time off screen. He would rarely allow himself to be photographed wearing glasses though.


Although Hudson never publicly came out as gay during his lifetime, he did authorize a biography by Sara Davidson, "Rock Hudson: His Story" (1986), which discussed his private life in great detail.


Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS on 5 June 1984 but when the signs of illness became apparent, his publicity staff and doctors told the public that he had liver cancer. Less than a month after announcing he had AIDS, Hudson wrote a check for $250,000 to help get the then-fledgling National AIDS Research Foundation (NARF) off the ground. During the last 18 months of his life, Hudson's weight dropped from 215 lbs to 140 lbs. He weighed 126 lbs at the time of his death. He died the same day as George Savalas . He and Savalas' older brother, Telly Savalas , appeared in Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971). At the time of Hudson's death, his estate was valued at $22 million. He was cremated and his ashes are scattered into the sea. Pat Boone , an elder of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, was allowed inside Hudson's Hollywood mansion to pray for his soul as the actor lay dying. Ironically, according to his close friends, Hudson, although nominally raised a Catholic, had been a lifelong atheist. A private nurse told reporters that she "asked him would he like to know Jesus now, would he like to invite him into his heart, and he said, 'Well, I guess it's about time.'" As well, a Roman Catholic priest, Father Sweeney, prayed the "sinner's prayer" with Hudson.


Had a priceless record collection, which was taken by Marc Christian after his death.


He stood six foot by the time he was fourteen.


He had always been critical of plastic surgery, although in 1981 he had surgery on his eyelids after a cameraman convinced him it would make him look better on screen.


He actively sought the leading role in Ice Station Zebra (1968), and after Laurence Harvey backed out of the project, Hudson was cast.


He was very disappointed by the box office failure of Seconds (1966), which he considered to be his best performance and had hoped would show the public that he could be a versatile film actor.


In 1979 he was involved in a DUI incident when he crashed his car into a palm tree in Los Angeles late one night.


Once said he knew had made it in Hollywood after he received more applause and cheers at the premiere of Bend of the River (1952) than the film's star, James Stewart .


He was reportedly Universal Studio's first choice to play Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), but was rejected as being too youthful looking at age 36.


Along with Cary Grant , he was regarded as one of the best-dressed male stars in Hollywood.


In the summer of 1966 he was released from his studio contract after filming Tobruk (1967). Five years later, he signed a contract with Universal Studios to do McMillan & Wife (1971) in 1971 for one of the largest salaries ever seen in television at the time.


Although commonly listed as 6'4", he is believed to have downplayed his height. His character is repeatedly referred to as being 6'6" in the film Pillow Talk (1959) and, upon co-starring with John Wayne and James Stewart , he was clearly taller than those very tall stars. Many sources list him 6'5", which would put him as equal to Vince Vaughn , Tim Robbins and, the tallest leading man per the Guinness Book of World Records, Christopher Lee as the tallest leading men.


His agent subtracted two years from his date of birth--from 1925 to 1923--in order to get Hudson more mature roles.


Was in talks, with Doris Day and Tony Randall , for a Pillow Talk (1959) sequel at the time he was diagnosed was AIDS. The story reportedly would have him and Doris Day's character being married and dealing with their daughter's upcoming marriage to Tony Randall's son.


Universal agreed to loan Hudson to his original studio Warner Bros. in exchange for the services of Warner contractee Virginia Mayo for the potboiler Congo Crossing (1956).


MGM offered Universal $750,000 for Hudson to play the starring role in Ben-Hur (1959) but the studio refused.


After Hudson had chosen his new name Rock, when it was suggested by agent Henry Willson , the actor objected when Universal tried to shorten the spelling to Roc.


After Raoul Walsh sold Rock Hudson's contract to Universal, he retained the right to his services in one film. This was ultimately settled a decade later, when Walsh was assigned a percentage of the profits from Come September (1961).


Hudson was assigned to The Golden Blade (1953) only after Tony Curtis and Farley Granger turned it down.


Hollywood writer Sidney Skolsky reportedly coined the term "Beefcake" with Hudson in mind.


Despite playing their father in Giant (1956), Hudson was just 6 years older than Carroll Baker , 9 years older than Fran Bennett and 11 years older than Dennis Hopper .


In June 2014, he was honored as Turner Classic Movies' Star of the Month.


His father was of German and Swiss-German descent. His maternal grandfather was an English immigrant, and his maternal grandmother was born in Illinois, to Irish parents. His father left the family and his mother married Wallace Fitzgerald. Hudson's legal name was then changed from Scherer to Fitzgerald.



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