Rock Hudson was an American actor who spent a good part of his life making movies. His screen career spanned three decades. During this time he had a close relationship with Doris Day. The two of them starred in a series of films together.
Early life
Rock Hudson had a long and productive career as an actor and television star. He was a virile hero in many adventure films. However, his movie career began to dwindle after the 1970s.
Hudson was a very good romantic comedy actor. In fact, he was known for his ‘Eunice Blotter’ nickname.
After Rock Hudson graduated high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. His first job was as a truck driver. He later took lessons in fencing and dancing at Universal Pictures.
During World War II, he served in the Philippines. Upon his discharge, he remained in Los Angeles. He met Henry Willson, a famous talent scout. It was Henry who introduced Rock Hudson to Hollywood.
Hudson was billed third in The Fat Man (1951). He had a small role in Winchester ’73 (1950) as an American Indian. A year later, he had a starring role in Taza, Son of Chochise, which was a box office hit.
Hudson starred in several classic melodramas, such as Scarlet Angel (1952) and Seconds (1966). He also starred in a successful stage career. One of the most memorable roles of his career was in Giant, a box office hit that followed a Texas family over a quarter of a century.
Hudson was known as a heavy drinker. In 1985, he was diagnosed with AIDS, a disease that would ultimately kill him. This diagnosis brought public awareness to the issue of AIDS.
He was one of the first stars to publicly discuss his homosexuality. But it wasn’t until his death that his name became a topic of ridicule. Some playwrights even said that his death was a turning point in the public awareness of AIDS.
The book includes detailed descriptions of Rock Hudson’s performances and cast information. Each chapter includes plot summaries, annotated bibliography, and critical commentary.
In addition, the book explores the rise of Rock Hudson as a celebrity. The chapters include information on his work in radio, television, and theater.
Although he made a promising beginning in the stage, his film career was not as impressive. Hudson had a series of flops in the 1950s, and his box office draw was waning.
Film career
Rock Hudson’s film career began after he was a truck driver. He moved to Hollywood, California in 1946 to pursue an acting career. While there, he met Hollywood talent scout Henry Willson. He then sent his headshots to studio executives.
The movie industry was a lucrative industry. By the early 1960s, Richard Hudson had established himself as one of the hottest male stars in Hollywood. His performances in melodramas were adored by audiences. But the 1970s saw a decline in his movies.
Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS in July 1985. Several telegrams were sent from his fans and celebrities. In addition, President Ronald Reagan personally phoned him at his hospital bed.
He was in talks to star in a sequel to Pillow Talk when his condition worsened. However, his contract with Warner Brothers was transferred to Universal Pictures, who gave him additional acting lessons.
Hudson starred in several melodramas directed by Douglas Sirk. In 1957, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in Giant.
During the late 1950s, he paired with Doris Day in a series of romantic comedies. They co-starred in the movies Scarlet Angel (1952), Taza, Son of Cochise (1954), and Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (both 1955).
After his first marriage ended, Hudson married Phyllis Gates in 1955. Their marriage lasted three years. It was during this time that he changed his legal name to Rock Hudson.
He starred in several adventure films and dramas. Among his best roles were the title character in The Undefeated (1969), and Jordan Benedict, Jr., in the epic Giant.
Hudson was nominated for eight consecutive Stars of the Year. During this period, he earned the most money as a male star in the business.
He made 28 films over six years. His final movie was the Cold War thriller Ice Station Zebra (1968). Before his death, Hudson was considered a Hollywood “idol”.
Hudson had a successful television career, starring in the popular series McMillan and Wife from 1971 to 1975. He was also a campaigner for Barry Goldwater during the 1964 presidential election.
AIDS diagnosis
The AIDS diagnosis for Rock Hudson was a major turning point in the battle against this disease. In fact, it is the first time a celebrity has publicly declared he has the virus.
For many years, Rock Hudson lived a double life – he was a heartthrob as well as a closeted gay man. He was the epitome of a Hollywood leading man and made more than 60 films during his career. Yet, Hudson’s secret life was plagued with dogged rumors about his sexual preferences.
When he was diagnosed with AIDS, Hudson was already facing an uncertain future. At the time, the mortality rate for AIDS was high. And while there were drugs available to treat the illness, the treatments were slow.
As the news began to circulate, fans and journalists noticed that Hudson was getting thinner and gaunt. However, they didn’t understand how he was getting sick.
It wasn’t until weeks later that Hudson learned he had AIDS. This was because his publicist and his doctors in Paris had been trying to tell him that he had the disease.
However, the AIDS diagnosis for Rock Hudson came about a year before his death. In fact, it was the AIDS announcement for Rock Hudson that led to the founding of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in 1985.
After a long career as a leading man, Rock Hudson’s AIDS diagnosis was the final chapter in a story that spanned more than a decade. Before he died, he had promised to appear on the Doris Day variety show in 1985. His death sparked an avalanche of publicity and helped turn the tide in the fight against AIDS.
Although it took several months to confirm the AIDS diagnosis, Rock Hudson did the logical thing. He flew to Paris and sought out experimental treatments that weren’t available in the U.S. One of these was HPA-23, a drug not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Even though he didn’t live to see the end of his career, Hudson is credited with having the AIDS announcement for Rock Hudson on his tombstone.
Relationship with Doris Day
Rock Hudson and Doris Day had a wonderful on-screen chemistry that was easy to spot. They made three movies together, including the cult classic Lover Come Back. Throughout the 1960s, they starred in numerous comedies.
The two actors were friends in real life. They starred in a show called Doris Day’s Best Friends, which promoted animal rights and pet care. It aired on the Christian Broadcast Network.
Doris Day was a box-office superstar in the 1960s, starring in films such as That Touch of Mink. She also hosted a talk show for the Christian Broadcast Network. However, after the show ended, she largely withdrew from Hollywood.
Hudson hid his sexuality to become a successful romantic lead. He remained a popular Hollywood star for more than a decade.
In his last film, Send Me No Flowers, he was less popular than he was in his previous films. Nevertheless, he was one of the first major celebrities to publicly admit to having AIDS.
In his last days, he went to Paris to receive treatment. Eventually, he collapsed in his hotel room. His condition was discovered by reporters. A French publicist confirmed that he was suffering from AIDS.
Rock Hudson died in 1985. At the time, he was 59 years old. Although he was a top box office draw, his death was a tragic ending to a life filled with adversity.
While it’s hard to imagine, Hudson was actually gay. Rock Hudson evinced a genuine love for dogs and animals. Moreover, he was also involved with animal rescue charity work.
Despite the fact that he had a serious illness, Rock Hudson still made the most of his time on screen. He appeared on many shows, including the Christian Broadcast Network’s Doris Day’s Best Friends.
Hudson worked with many talented actors. He appeared in several movies with David Niven, Gina Lollobrigida, and Bobby Darin. But he was also a talented comedy actor.
Doris Day’s relationship with Rock Hudson was a real success. Fans were amazed by the on-screen chemistry between the two actors.
Even though they are no longer active on the movie scene, the enduring bond between the two of them will live on through their fans. Their chemistry makes movies more enjoyable to watch.
