When Rock Hudson, known back then as Roy Harold Scherer Jr., made his first uncredited appearance in the 1948 film Fighter Squadron, his former classmates at Illinois' New Trier High School were shocked. Though Roy had always been a strikingly handsome young man, he was also quiet, shy, and reserved. None of his classmates had any inkling that this tall, soft-spoken boy from Winnetka harbored dreams of becoming an actor. It was a world away from the life they imagined for him.
The Road to Stardom: A Complicated Journey
Rock Hudson's path to becoming one of Hollywood's most iconic stars was anything but smooth. His childhood was marred by trauma and challenges that would have stopped most people in their tracks. Growing up in Winnetka, Illinois, Rock faced a difficult home life and the societal expectations of the time. "It’s truly remarkable that this boy from Winnetka overcame so much to achieve what he did," says Mark Griffin, an associate producer and consultant on the new HBO documentary Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed, premiering on June 28. Griffin adds, "Rock had to navigate not just the difficulties of his upbringing, but also the fact that he was living a secret life as a gay man during an era when that was not accepted."
A Childhood Shaped by Hardship
Rock Hudson's early years were far from idyllic. Born into modest circumstances, his father, an auto mechanic, abandoned the family when Rock was just eight years old. His mother, Katherine, later remarried a former Marine officer named Wallace Fitzgerald, but this union brought its own set of challenges. "Wallace Fitzgerald was an uncontrollable drunk," explains Griffin, who authored the definitive biography All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson. "He would often lose his temper, resorting to physical violence against both Rock and his mother." These experiences left an indelible mark on Rock, shaping his personality and influencing his later career choices.
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As a result of his upbringing, Rock grew up shying away from attention, even though his good looks often drew it. He never spoke openly about his aspirations to act, and even his closest friends were unaware of his sexual orientation. "In Winnetka during that time, boys were expected to announce their ambitions to become firefighters or police officers," Griffin notes. "The idea of pursuing a career in show business was practically unheard of—it would have been as scandalous as declaring you wanted to be a prima ballerina." Rock kept his dreams to himself, knowing they wouldn't be understood or accepted.
From Door-to-Door Salesman to Hollywood Star
After working at the Postal Service and serving in the Navy, Rock headed to California, hoping to reconnect with his birth father. Unfortunately, this reunion didn't go as planned. "His father gave him a job selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, but Rock, being awkward and tongue-tied, didn't succeed," explains Griffin. "This further strained their already strained relationship." Despite these setbacks, Rock remained determined to make it in Hollywood.
His early days in Tinseltown were far from glamorous. Rock took on small walk-on roles in films, but he had to support himself by driving a truck. Things began to change when he met Henry Wilson, a powerful agent with a controversial reputation. "Wilson was known for being a sexual predator," Griffin reveals, "but he also knew how to make things happen." Wilson changed Rock's name and secured him a contract with Universal Studios, paying him $125 a week. It was the start of something big.
The Making of a Movie Star
Rock's journey wasn't without its hiccups. During the filming of Fighter Squadron, he froze on set, unable to deliver his lines. Universal nearly dropped him, but Rock slowly grew more comfortable in front of the camera. He developed a naturalistic acting style that resonated with audiences. "I don't have any grand philosophy about acting," Rock once said. "You just do it. And I mean that. You just do it." This simplicity and authenticity became a hallmark of his performances.
