Was Rock Hudson Gay? It didn’t take long for the man we’ll always know as Rock Hudson to take over Hollywood. He was born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois.
Hudson became one of the biggest heartthrobs in Hollywood during what was called the “Golden Age” after his big break in the 1954 movie Magnificent Obsession.
Hudson died on October 2, 1985, from complications caused by AIDS. This was a terrible loss. It was the first time a famous person had died from the illness at the time. Fans were left to wonder: was Rock Hudson gay after his shocking death? Let’s learn about the late actor’s secret sexuality and double life.
Was Rock Hudson Gay?
Yes, Rock Hudson was a gay man. In Hollywood, everyone knew the star was gay, but he never came out to the public. He is said to have been in many relationships with both men and women.
He was married to Phyllis Gates at one time, but they never had any kids. He was also the first famous person to say that he had AIDS, which he did not long before he died in October 1985.
Hudson’s Short-Lived Marriage to Phyllis Gates
Hudson got married to Dawson, Minnesota interior designer Phyllis Gates just as his career was at its peak, with an Oscar nomination.
Hudson, who was gay, got married to the woman in 1955 and they split up in 1958. Their three-year marriage was not sustainable because Hudson was gay.
There were rumors that she was cheating on him while he was making A Farewell to Arms in 1957, which led to their divorce. Gates supposedly didn’t find out that Hudson had been seeing someone else while she was with Hudson until much later.
He Was Nominated for an Academy Award
Everyone agreed that Hudson was beautiful, but he also needed to be seen as important to stay in the business. Hudson’s first movie role was in All That Heaven Allows, which showed that he had more ability than people thought.
After that, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Giant in 1956, which made him a famous actor and a popular name in the US.
The Time of Rom-Coms
After getting praise for his Oscar nomination and trying to hide the fact that he was getting divorced, Hudson started starring in a bunch of fun romantic comedies.
The famous Doris Day was in many of them. Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961), and No Flowers (1964) were all big hits in this string.
The TV Career of Hudson
Hudson’s position as a prominent leading man was solidified by his television performances. He first became famous on the NBC crime show McMillan & Wife, which ran for most of the 1970s.
Following that, they were guests on The Carol Burnett Show and appeared in episodes like Wheels and The Martian Chronicles. Last but not least, Hudson got a famous guest part on Dynasty in 1984. It was the last performance of his life.
Hudson Was Diagnosed With AIDS and Later Died
Hudson was tested with HIV in June 1984, while Reagan was still President. Most people did not know about this. Many LGBTQ+ people remember that the Reagans didn’t do anything about the AIDS epidemic, and their friendship with Hudson didn’t change that.
Hudson died in 1985 from the effects of AIDS, just like a lot of other people who got HIV in the 1980s. He was just 59 years old.
More:
- Was Eazy E Gay? A Rap Icon Who Was Rumored to Be Gay
- Was Michael Gambon Gay? The Truth About His Sexuality and Relationships
Conclusion
Rock Hudson, born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois, became a Hollywood star during the “Golden Age” after his 1954 movie Magnificent Obsession. He was the first famous person to announce his AIDS diagnosis, which he did shortly before his death in 1985.
Hudson was married to Phyllis Gates, but they never had children. He was nominated for an Academy Award and starred in romantic comedies. Hudson’s TV career was solidified by his appearances on McMillan & Wife, The Carol Burnett Show, and Dynasty.
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