When we talk about Hollywood legends, Rock Hudson’s name always comes up. Known for his captivating performances in films like Magnificent Obsession and Giant, he became a household name in the 1950s. But as the years went on, Hudson faced personal challenges that kept him out of the spotlight. Let’s take a deeper dive into his life and uncover what happened to this iconic star. Keep reading, because his story is one for the ages.
Unpacking Rock Hudson's Journey: Who Was He?
Rock Hudson was born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois. His journey to becoming a Hollywood star began when he met Henry Wilson, a legendary Hollywood agent. Wilson saw something special in this young man and decided to mold him into the perfect movie star. He gave him a new name, Rock Hudson, which became synonymous with charm and charisma. As author Mark Griffin put it during a June 2023 appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, "Henry Wilson didn't just change his name; he shaped Rock Hudson's entire image, grooming him to fit the persona of a true Hollywood icon."
Hudson's breakthrough came in the 1950s when he starred alongside Jane Wyman in Magnificent Obsession and later alongside Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean in Giant. He also worked with Doris Day in three films, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's leading men. However, as his fame grew, so did the rumors about his personal life and sexual orientation. Let’s explore his relationships and the challenges he faced in his personal life.
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Love and Marriage: Did Rock Hudson Find True Love?
In 1955, Hudson married Phyllis Gates, who was Henry Wilson’s secretary at the time. The marriage lasted three years before they divorced in 1958. Many speculate that the marriage was arranged to quell rumors about Hudson's sexuality. In the 1960s, Hudson began a secret relationship with stockbroker Lee Garlington. Garlington recalled their time together fondly, saying, "We couldn’t take any pictures together, it was too dangerous. We could only take pictures of each other." The two shared a special bond, vacationing together in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in 1963. Reflecting on their relationship, Garlington said, "I remember how handsome he was and what a great time we had together. He was the kindest man I ever met."
The Tragic End: What Led to Rock Hudson's Death?
On July 25, 1985, Hudson's team made a heart-wrenching announcement: the beloved actor had AIDS. He had been diagnosed with the disease a year earlier and had already informed his previous sexual partners about his condition. Dr. Michael Gottlieb, Hudson's physician, shared insights into this difficult time. "He had several lesions of Kaposi’s sarcoma that established a diagnosis. Little was known about HIV and AIDS then," Gottlieb explained. "There wasn’t much we could do. Within a week, he prepared several letters to past sexual partners. He wanted them to know they'd been with someone diagnosed with AIDS. He didn’t reveal his identity. He said, 'I want to do the right thing.'" Hudson passed away on October 2, 1985, at the age of 59, due to complications related to AIDS. Despite the tragedy, his legacy lives on. As Mark Griffin said, "He proved it’s possible to overcome any challenge in your life. Somehow, through his own resilience and persistence, he stayed true to his goal. He overcame obstacles and challenges that would have defeated anybody else. In some respects, I’ve come to think of Rock as superhuman."
