Rock Hudson, a beloved actor, had a tough childhood after his parents separated when he was young. His stepfather was abusive, making fun of his acting dreams.
After working odd jobs and serving in WWII, Hudson pursued acting. A talent scout, Henry Willson, helped him change his name and improve his skills. He got his first role in 1948 at 23 and gained fame in “Giant” eight years later.
In 1955, a magazine threatened to expose Hudson’s sexuality, leading him to marry his agent’s secretary, Phyllis Gates. The marriage ended in three years, with rumors persisting.
Despite efforts to hide his preferences, friends like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe knew about Hudson’s secret. From 1962 to 1965, he had a hidden relationship with Lee Garlington, but it ended due to a fan discovering the truth.
Later, Hudson was romantically linked to younger actor Marc Christian. In 1984, he was diagnosed with AIDS, a misunderstood disease at the time. Hudson worked to find a cure but didn’t succeed. He kept his diagnosis from Christian until publicly revealing it.
Rock Hudson passed away in 1985, and Christian sued him for emotional distress and fear of infection, winning a reduced amount of $5.5 million.
Despite the challenges, Hudson’s friends like Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day fondly remember him, reflecting his kindness.
