Rock Hudson | |
|---|---|
 Hudson in 1952 | |
| Born | Roy Harold Scherer Jr. November 17, 1925 Winnetka, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 2, 1985 (aged 59) |
| Cause of death | AIDS-related complications |
| Monuments | Cenotaph at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cathedral City, California |
| Other names | Roy Harold Fitzgerald (adoption surname from stepfather) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1948–1985 |
| Spouse | |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985) was an American actor. One of the most popular movie stars of his time, he had a screen career spanning more than three decades. He was a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
He achieved stardom with his role in Magnificent Obsession (1954),[1] followed by All That Heaven Allows (1955), and Giant (1956), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Hudson also found continued success with a string of romantic comedies co-starring Doris Day: Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961), and Send Me No Flowers (1964). During the late 1960s, his films included Seconds (1966), Tobruk (1967), and Ice Station Zebra (1968). Unhappy with the film scripts he was offered,[2] Hudson turned to television and was a hit, starring in the popular mystery series McMillan & Wife (1971–1977). His last role was as a guest star on the fifth season (1984–1985) of the primetime ABC soap opera Dynasty, until an AIDS-related illness made it impossible for him to continue.[2]
Although he was discreet regarding his sexual orientation, it was known among Hudson's colleagues in the film industry that he was gay. In 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS. The following year, he became one of the first celebrities to disclose his AIDS diagnosis. Hudson was the first major American celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness, on October 2, 1985, at age 59.[3][4]
- ^ "Magnificent Obsession (1954) - Articles". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "Overview for Rock Hudson". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ^ Biography for Rock Hudson. Turner Classic Movies Database. tcmdb.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
- ^ Ryon, Ruth (June 1, 1986). "Rock Hudson's House Now on Market". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
Rock Hudson's house, just north of the Beverly Hills city limit, where the actor lived for about 20 years before he died last October, has been put on the market for $2.95 million.