Rock Hudson
1925 — 1985
Winnetka, Illinois
Movie icon, TV actor and star of more than 70 theatrical films.
Rock Hudson was the son of an auto mechanic and a telephone operator who divorced when he was 8 years old. He failed to obtain parts in school plays because he couldn't remember lines.
After high school he was a postal employee, and during WW II served as a Navy airplane mechanic. After the war he was a truck driver. His size and good looks got him into movies. His name was changed from Roy Scherer Jr., to Rock Hudson, his teeth were capped, he took lessons in acting, singing, fencing and riding. Nevertheless, one line in his first picture, "Fighter Squadron" (1948), needed 38 takes.
In 1956 he received an Oscar nomination for "Giant" (1956), and two years later "Look" magazine named him Star of the Year. He starred in a number of bedroom comedies, many with Doris Day, and had his own popular TV series "McMillan and Wife" (1971). He had a recurring role in TV's "Dynasty" (1981) (1984-5).
Hudson was the first major public figure to announce he had AIDS, and his worldwide search for a cure drew international attention. After his death, his long-time lover, Marc Christian, successfully sued his estate, again calling attention to the homosexuality Rock had hidden throughout his career.
Bio by The Internet Movie Dadabase: http://www.imdb.com/