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Born: November 17, 1925 – Died: October 2, 1985
Rock Hudson, a charismatic figure whose acting career left an indelible mark on Hollywood, was born Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. in the small town of Winnetka, Illinois. His origins were humble, with his mother Katherine working as a telephone operator and his father Roy Sr. an auto mechanic. Despite his parents' split at a young age and a rocky start in school plays due to his struggles with memorizing lines, Hudson transcended his early challenges to become a silver screen legend.
Early Life and Career
Hudson's early life was marked by his parent's divorce and a subsequent name change when his mother remarried. He attended high school and briefly worked as a postal employee before serving as a Navy airplane mechanic during World War II. Post-war, his imposing stature and looks caught the eye of Hollywood, leading to a significant transformation including dental work and acting lessons. Rock Hudson was born from Roy Scherer's ambition.
His film debut was rocky, requiring numerous takes for a single line, but persistence paid off. His first taste of success came with a small but significant role in "Fighter Squadron" in 1948. The real turning point came with his portrayal of Jordan 'Bick' Benedict Jr. in "Giant" (1956), which established him as a star. This role brought him an Academy Award nomination and fame.
Notable accolades followed, including an Oscar nomination for "Giant" and multiple box-office hits, particularly his romantic comedies with Doris Day and his dramatic television series "McMillan & Wife." Beyond the camera, Hudson's life was equally newsworthy, with his personal life and battle with AIDS bringing his name to the forefront of public discourse.
Hudson was known for his discreet personal life, but it was later revealed he had relationships with men, leading to a landmark legal case after his passing. He never married nor had children.
His departure from the world was as impactful as his career; Hudson was one of the first prominent figures to disclose his AIDS diagnosis, bringing attention to the disease. His legacy is multifaceted: as a talented actor, a beloved romantic lead, and a significant figure in the history of
representation in the film industry. Rock Hudson is celebrated not only for his extensive body of work but also for his role in the early discussion of AIDS and the visibility of the gay community in Hollywood.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984–1985 | Dynasty (TV Series) | Daniel Reece |
| 1984 | The Ambassador | Stevenson |
| 1984 | The Vegas Strip War (TV Movie) | Neil Chaine |
| 1982 | The Devlin Connection (TV Series) | Brian Devlin |
| 1982 | The Devlin Connection III | Brian Devlin |
| 1982 | World War III (TV Mini Series) | President Thomas McKenna |
| 1981 | The Patricia Neal Story (TV Movie) | Rock Hudson (uncredited) |
| 1981 | The Star Maker (TV Movie) | Danny Youngblood |
| 1980 | The Mirror Crack'd | Jason Rudd |
| 1980 | The Martian Chronicles (TV Mini Series) | Col. John Wilder |
| 1978 | Avalanche | David Shelby |
| 1978 | Wheels (TV Mini Series) | Adam Trenton |
| 1971–1977 | McMillan & Wife (TV Series) | Stewart McMillan |
| 1976 | Embryo | Dr. Paul Holliston |
| 1973 | Showdown | Chuck Jarvis |
| 1971 | Pretty Maids All in a Row | Tiger |
| 1970 | Hornets' Nest | Turner |
| 1970 | Darling Lili | Major William Larrabee |
| 1969 | The Undefeated | Col. James Langdon |
| 1968–1969 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) | Guest Performer (uncredited) |
| 1968 | Ice Station Zebra | Cdr. James Ferraday |
| 1968 | A Fine Pair | Capt. Mike Harmon |
| 1967 | Tobruk | Maj. Donald Craig |
| 1966 | Seconds | Antiochus Wilson |
| 1966 | Blindfold | Dr. Bartholomew Snow |
| 1965 | A Very Special Favor | Paul Chadwick |
| 1965 | Strange Bedfellows | Carter Harrison |
| 1964 | Send Me No Flowers | George |
| 1964 | Man's Favorite Sport? | Roger Willoughby |
| 1963 | A Gathering of Eagles | Col. Jim Caldwell |
| 1962 | The Spiral Road | Dr. Anton Drager |
| 1961 | Lover Come Back | Jerry Webster |
| 1961 | Come September | Robert L. Talbot |
| 1961 | The Last Sunset | Dana Stribling |
| 1959 | Pillow Talk | Brad Allen |
| 1959 | This Earth Is Mine | John Rambeau |
| 1958 | Twilight for the Gods | Captain David Bell |
| 1957 | A Farewell to Arms | Lt. Frederick Henry |
| 1957 | The Tarnished Angels | Burke Devlin |
| 1957 | Something of Value | Henry's Son - Peter |
| 1957 | Battle Hymn | Col. Dean E. Hess |
| 1956 | *Giant* | Jordan 'Bick' Benedict Jr. |
| 1956 | Written on the Wind | Mitch Wayne |
| 1956 | Never Say Goodbye | Dr. Michael Parker |
| 1955 | All That Heaven Allows | Ron Kirby |
| 1955 | One Desire | Clint Saunders |
| 1955 | I Love Lucy (TV Series) | Rock Hudson |
| 1955 | Captain Lightfoot | Michael Martin, aka Capt. Lightfoot |
| 1954 | Bengal Brigade | Capt. Jeffrey Claybourne |
| 1954 | Magnificent Obsession | Bob Merrick |
| 1954 | Taza, Son of Cochise | Taza |
| 1953 | Beneath the 12-Mile Reef | Narrator (uncredited) |
| 1953 | Back to God's Country | Peter Keith |
| 1953 | Gun Fury | Ben Warren |
| 1953 | The Golden Blade | Harun |
| 1953 | Sea Devils | Gilliatt |
| 1953 | Seminole | Lt. Lance Caldwell |
| 1952 | The Lawless Breed | John Wesley Hardin |
| 1952 | Horizons West | Neil Hammond |
| 1952 | Has Anybody Seen My Gal | Dan Stebbins |
| 1952 | Scarlet Angel | Frank Truscott |
| 1952 | Bend of the River | Trey Wilson |
| 1952 | Here Come the Nelsons | Charles E. 'Charlie' Jones |
| 1951 | Iron Man | Tommy 'Speed' O'Keefe - aka Kosco |
| 1951 | The Fat Man | Roy Clark |
| 1951 | Bright Victory | Dudek |
| 1951 | Air Cadet | Upper Classman |
| 1951 | Tomahawk | Burt Hanna |
| 1950 | Shakedown | Ted - Bay View Club Doorman (uncredited) |
| 1950 | The Desert Hawk | Captain Ras |
| 1950 | Peggy | Johnny 'Scat' Mitchell |
| 1950 | Winchester '73 | Young Bull |
| 1950 | I Was a Shoplifter | Si Swanson - Store Detective |
| 1950 | One Way Street | Truck Driver (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Undertow | Detective (as Roc Hudson) |
| 1948 | Fighter Squadron | Second Lieutenant (uncredited) |
General:
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