Rock Hudson

Lore & Background

Hudson was signed to a long-term contract by Universal-International, where he received coaching in acting, singing, dancing, fencing, and horseback riding. Although discreet about his sexual orientation, it was known among colleagues that he was gay. He was the first major American celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness. Born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois, he was the only child of a homemaker and an auto mechanic. His father abandoned the family during the Great Depression, and after his parents divorced, his mother married a former Marine Corps officer, who adopted him, changing his legal name to Roy Harold Fitzgerald. He attended New Trier High School, the same school as Charlton Heston and Ann-Margret, and worked as an usher in a movie theater during his teens, developing an interest in acting. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, training as an aircraft mechanic and serving in the Philippines. Following his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, working odd jobs including as a truck driver. He was rejected from the University of Southern California's dramatics program due to poor grades. Talent scout Henry Willson took him on as a client in 1947, changing his name to Rock Hudson, a combination of the Rock of Gibraltar and the Hudson River. His screen career spanned more than three decades, beginning with a small part in the 1948 film *Fighter Squadron*, where it took 38 takes to deliver his single line. He achieved stardom with *Magnificent Obsession* (1954), followed by *All That Heaven Allows* (1955) and *Giant* (1956), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He found continued success in romantic comedies with Doris Day, including *Pillow Talk* (1959), *Lover Come Back* (1961), and *Send Me No Flowers* (1964). Unhappy with the film scripts he was offered, he formed his own production companies, 7 Pictures Corporation and later Gibraltar Pictures, to have more control over his roles. He later turned to television, starring in the mystery series *McMillan & Wife* from 1971 to 1977. His final role was a guest spot on the fifth season of the soap opera *Dynasty* in 1984–1985, until an AIDS-related illness made it impossible to continue. In 1984, he was diagnosed with AIDS, and the following year became one of the first celebrities to disclose his diagnosis. He d

Reader's Guide

His legacy encompasses both his cinematic contributions and his pivotal role in the AIDS crisis. As the first major American celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness, his diagnosis and subsequent death in 1985 brought unprecedented public attention to the epidemic, helping to destigmatize the disease and galvanize awareness. Within the film industry, Hudson was known for his versatility, moving from dramatic roles in films like *Magnificent Obsession* and *Giant*—the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination—to a string of successful romantic comedies with Doris Day. Dissatisfied with the scripts he was offered later in his career, he took greater creative control by forming his own production companies, 7 Pictures Corporation and later Gibraltar Pictures. He also transitioned successfully to television, starring in the mystery series *McMillan & Wife*. Professionally, his colleagues were aware of his homosexuality, but he remained discreet about his private life. His final acting role was a guest appearance on the soap opera *Dynasty*, which he left when his AIDS-related illness made work impossible.

Did You Know?

• Hudson was born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. and later adopted by his stepfather, becoming Roy Harold Fitzgerald.
• He was the first major American celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness.