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Despite his fame and success, Hudson’s personal life was filled with inner struggles and a battle against the AIDS virus that ultimately claimed his life. However, his courage in publicly addressing his illness helped shed light on an epidemic that was shrouded in stigma and misinformation. Rock Hudson remains an enduring icon and a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.
Rock Hudson’s Biography
Rock Hudson, born Roy Harold Scherer Jr., on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, was an American actor who rose to prominence during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Hudson went to New Trier High School in Winnetka, where he became interested in acting. However, due to issues remembering his lines, he first struggled to land roles. After graduating from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as an aeroplane mechanic during World War II.
Hudson returned to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Before capturing the attention of talent scout Henry Willson, he worked odd jobs such as truck driver. Willson renamed the young actor Rock Hudson after the Rock of Gibraltar and the Hudson River.
Hudson’s career extended for three decades and spanned a wide spectrum of genres, making him one of the most popular cinema stars of his time.
Hudson rose to prominence with his portrayal in Magnificent Obsession (1954), which was followed by critically lauded performances in All That Heaven Allows (1955) and Giant (1956), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.
He also had success in romantic comedies, particularly Doris Day in Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961), and Send Me No Flowers (1964). Hudson switched to television in the late 1960s and became a sensation with his role in the classic mystery series McMillan & Wife (1971–1977).
His final role was as a guest star on the fifth season of the ABC serial opera Dynasty until an AIDS-related illness prevented him from continuing.
Although Hudson kept his sexual orientation private, it was commonly known among his film industry colleagues that he was gay. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 and became one of the first celebrities to reveal his condition the following year.
Hudson’s AIDS struggle aided in raising awareness and drawing attention to the disease. He became the first famous celebrity to die from an AIDS-related disease on October 2, 1985, at the age of 59.
Hudson’s childhood was filled with challenges and personal struggles.
He was Katherine and Roy Harold Scherer Sr.’s only child. Hudson’s father lost his job and abandoned the family during the Great Depression, culminating in his parents’ divorce when he was just four years old. His mother remarried later in life, but the marriage ended in a harsh divorce.
Rock Hudson’s Girlfriend
Rock Hudson was gay and had a boyfriend known as Lee Garlington. Lee Garlington is a retired stockbroker.
