Rock Hudson

Born on November 17, 1925 in Winnetka, Illinois Rock Hudson was known for his exceptional good looks and comedic talent. In 1956 he starred with Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean in Giant where his costars and critics alike praised his acting talents. He was nominated for an academy award for this film.

Born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. Hudson changed his name in 1947 to Rock Hudson under the advice of talent scout Henry Wilson. After a two year stint in the U.S. Navy Hudson moved to Hollywood, California to pursue an acting career. He worked as a truck driver for a time and most of these free hours were spend hanging around filming studios. With his charm and talent Rock was destined to be discovered.

Hudson had no formal acting training but he landed a role in the film Fire Squadron. Universal pictures bought his contract in 1948 and give him acting lessons.

Hudson was placed in small roles in a number of films until he was pegged as the lead in The Magnificent Obsession. In 1959 Hudson was paired with Doris Day in Pillow Talk and he quickly became a heartthrob in romantic films. His films included Lover Come Back, Send Me No Flowers and Seconds a science fiction thriller that was not his best acting venue.

In 1971 Hudson was the star of Macmillin and Wife, a television production. He also appeared in Dynasty.

Hudson married Phyllis Gates in 1955. They divorced three years later while Hudson was filming A Farewell to Arms. Hudson was a gay man who kept his sexuality under wraps due to the prevailing prejudice against homosexuality during the 1970s and 1980s. He contracted AIDS in 1984 and on July 25, 1985 he went public with his disease and sexual orientation. His openness about his disease gave Hollywood and his fans an appreciation for the worldwide epidemic. Hudson died at the age of 59 on October 2, 1985 from complications due to AIDS.