Rock Hudson
“The handsome leading man of the 1950s whose later candor changed the public conversation on illness.”
In 1954, Douglas Sirk's lush melodrama 'Magnificent Obsession' transformed Rock Hudson from a contract bit player into a leading romantic star and box-office king. Decades later, in 1985, his public AIDS diagnosis became a watershed that dramatically raised national awareness of the disease.
Manufactured Star
Born Roy Scherer Jr. in Illinois, the former truck driver was renamed and groomed for stardom by agent Henry Willson. After years of small parts, he broke through in Douglas Sirk's 1954 melodrama 'Magnificent Obsession.'
King of the Box Office
Through the late 1950s, Hudson reigned as a top leading man, earning an Oscar nomination for 'Giant' (1956). His glossy romantic comedies with Doris Day, beginning with 'Pillow Talk,' made him a beloved comic star.
A Final Public Act
Hudson kept his homosexuality private throughout his career. In 1985 he became the first major celebrity to announce an AIDS diagnosis, and his death that October galvanized awareness and funding for the epidemic.
Career Timeline
- 1925Born Roy Scherer Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois
- 1948Signs with agent Henry Willson, renamed 'Rock Hudson'
- 1954'Magnificent Obsession' makes him a star
- 1956Earns Best Actor Oscar nomination for 'Giant'
- 1959Hit comedy 'Pillow Talk' with Doris Day
- 1961Reunites with Day in 'Lover Come Back'
- 1971Begins TV series 'McMillan & Wife'
- 1981Joins the cast of TV's 'Dynasty'
- 1985Publicly reveals AIDS diagnosis on July 25
- 1985Dies of AIDS-related complications on October 2
Biggest Hits
- Agent Henry Willson invented the name 'Rock Hudson,' combining the Rock of Gibraltar with the Hudson River.
- His 1985 announcement that he had AIDS was a turning point in public awareness, helping spur millions in private research funding.
The Moment You Remember
His easy partnership with Doris Day in <em>Pillow Talk</em> is the moment audiences cherish: two glamorous adversaries sparring by telephone before falling in love. The film's wit and warmth made Hudson the definitive romantic comedy lead of his day.
Portrait: Universal Pictures · Public domain (PD-US, published 1931-1977 without notice) · via Wikimedia Commons