Rock Hudson's original name was Roy Scherer Jr., and he was born on November 17, 1925, in an apartment in Winnetka, Illinois, according to the Chicago Tribune. Willson sought to put the rumors about his sexuality to bed by marrying him off at speed, which he did to his secretary, Phyllis Gates, a beautiful 30-year-old from Minnesota who had once caught the eye of Marlon Brando. The actor was 59 when he died of AIDS in 1985, but he never publicly admitted that he was gay. But their friend Stockton Briggle described it as an arranged marriage that obviously was never going to work., Briggle said: One of the few things (Hudson) ever said to me about that was that he always resented being manipulated like that and it was a very dark period in his life.. Dr Dominique Dormont, one of the specialists at the Institut Pasteur, said that Hudson had been too optimistic in his interpretation of this and he should have stayed in Paris longer. To add salt to injury, in December 2014, a Canadian woman Susan Dent filed a petition to establish paternity. Lee Garlington read in Rock Hudson's bio, after his 1985 death, Rock called Lee his "true love." . In January 1944 Hudson voluntarily enlisted in the US Navy as an Apprentice Seaman. But Rock was the one guy that he really fell for.. According to the book, Hudson was so tormented by his diagnosis that he told a close friend that he felt 'so filthy' for being infected. Hudsons friend Mark Miller said: Kenny liked sailors and often had them lined up in his living room. Marilyn Monroe and Hudson bonded over their troubled upbringings and his friend Lois Rupert recalled how in the early 1960s he used to get late night distress calls from her. Hudson's other hits in the 1950s included Magnificent Obsession and All That Heaven Allows - the book's title - which was directed by melodrama maestro Douglas Sirk. Nevertheless, there was tension, and while vacationing in Rome Hudson accepted the lunch invitation of the Italian actor he had been involved with in the past without asking Gates. Amid a febrile anti-Communist atmosphere, the FBI investigated Hudson, as it did many leading actors, and found that he attended large scale homosexual orgies in Los Angeles. Nader died in 2002 and Miller passed away in 2015. She explained, "I think the reason people liked our movies is because they could tell how much we liked each other. Hudson was seen with a male Italian actor in public on several occasions - their response was to put out a press release saying he was dating Jill Clifford, a British heiress. According to one account, he had a weekend fling while back home with the mother of a high school classmate. Others began to notice Hudsons weight loss and after a state dinner at the White House Nancy Reagan, a big fan of Hudsons, sent him a set of photos of the night including a profile picture which showed a pimple on his neck. Jul 16, 2021 - ROCK HUDSON AND HIS DAUGHTER JUDY DENT. All of that takes a while to get rid of.". Hudsons biography is set to become a major motion picture directed by Greg Berlanti who recently directed high school love story about a closeted gay teen, Love, Simon. I think he liked playing the big brother who came to the rescue., Hudsons career dropped off in in the late 1960s and 70s as he entered his 40s and lost his boyish charm a low point was the disaster film Avalanche which was billed as six million tons of icy terror!. Hudson replies: Oh I dont know. In the Rock Hudson biography "All That Heaven Allows" by Mark Griffin, the author indicates that the actor may have had a daughter, or two, that no one knew about, according to USA Today. In lieu of a funeral, Hudson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor held a memorial service that took place at Hudson's estate. Many celebrities attended the event, including Carol Burnett, Glenn Ford, and Ricardo Montalban. Hudson left everything to Nader and Miller, his friends of 30 years; his estate was worth an estimated $27 million including real estate holdings. When Handler asked him about famous women in Hollywood, including Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, Jane Wyman, Linda Evans, and Claudia Cardinale, he said that the one who impacted him the most was Katharine Hepburn. Hudson moved to Los Angeles to break into Hollywood and there he met Kenneth Hodge, a production assistant who was well known in the business and would become his first serious boyfriend. The next day the man found out he had AIDS and sold his story to a tabloid for $10,000. She added that the next time they spoke, he was in the hospital and a phone had to be held up to his ear. THE DAUGHTER HE NEVER GOT TO KNOW. Willson sought to put the rumors about Hudson's sexuality to bed by marrying him off at speed, which he did to his secretary, Phyllis Gates (pictured on their wedding day). He did movies with Doris Day, such as 1959's Pillow Talk and 1961's Lover Come Back. Other well-known films include Magnificent Obsession (1954), "Never Say Goodbye (1956), and A Farewell to Arms (1957). Susan Dent just wants one thing: to officially establish that Rock Hudson is her father. This all came to a head in 2014 when a woman named Susan Dent tried to sue the Hudson estate claiming that he was her real father. Griffin writes that it has been suggested that it was while in the services that Hudson began to have sex with other men. Christian was awarded $21 million by a jury which said Hudson had displayed 'outrageous conduct', though the sum was later reduced to $5.5 million. Willson presided over a stable of hunky male stars and Hudson was a 'perfect specimen', writes Griffin. The question of whether or not their marriage was real has been described as the central conundrum of Hudsons life. Thanks for contacting us. If you'd like to make your own version, simply combine one shot of Kalua, one shot of Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, one shot of Creme de Cocoa, and one shot of Bailey's Irish Cream with four or five ice cubes and shake in a cocktail shaker for approximately 30 seconds. And since he was such a likable guy, they kept his secret. ", However, most of Rock's co-stars, directors, and others knew he was gay. But I was always upset because in the documents they referred to Jane and me as the girls.'. Before his death, actor Rock Hudson sent his male lovers heartbreaking letters urging them to get tested after he was diagnosed with AIDS, a new book has revealed. Things had deteriorated to the point where Gates had hired a private detective to secretly record Hudson in their home where she had invited him to talk about their marital problems - and taped him admitting he was gay. If Im dying its from liver cancer. Hudson became a contract player Universal Studios in 1949 and began to get press attention mostly thanks to Willson with one columnist calling him six feet four inches of manhood.. But Christian was furious and claimed that the first time he learned about Hudsons diagnosis was the press conference. THE DAUGHTER HE NEVER GOT TO KNOW. With nothing more than her mothers story, Dent contacted Hudsons relatives and they agreed to submit to a DNA test. Ironically, some say Gates could have been a closeted lesbian and Navaar recalled how once at a bar in Los Angeles she met a woman and disappeared for the rest of the weekend with her. In October 2016, her petition was denied. Dean recognized that Taylor was drawn to outcasts and so played up his lost boy routine to draw her in. In 1952, Playboy did a spread of Hudson in bed with the headline, 'Rip Van Hudson' but the suggestion about his sexuality was way off the mark. Christian filed a lawsuit purporting he became severely stressed after learning Hudson had AIDS, reported the Los Angeles Times. "But it's interesting that they're doing this because they really love this person that they're working with and feel protective of him. He received an Oscar nomination for "Giant" and had many friends in Hollywood. On October 2 Hudson died at the age of 59. Hudson became a contract player Universal Studios in 1949 and began to get press attention - mostly thanks to Willson - with one columnist calling him 'six feet four inches of manhood. At one of Hodge's parties he threw to help Hudson make connections, he was introduced to the infamous agent Henry Willson who would take him on as a client. There was a hiccup, however. At the time of his death, Hudson was worth $10 million, the equivalent of $23 million today if adjusted for inflation, reports Celebrity Net Worth. The question of whether or not their marriage was real has been described as the 'central conundrum' of Hudson's life. Dent is a woman in her early-70s from Canada. Ironically, despite its failure, Hudson was the number-one box office attraction in 1957. From 1962 to 1985, Hudson lived in "The Castle" in Beverly Hills. By 1965 Hollywood was in on the joke of his sexuality and in A Very Special Favor, he played a man trying to woo a woman by pretending to be gay. Hudson's publicist, Dale Olson, sent a telegram to the Reagan White House in an attempt to get the actor transferred to the military hospital, where he could receive necessary medical treatment. In a touching gesture she included a note asking him to get it checked out. Griffin writes that it has been suggested that it was while in the services that Hudson began to have sex with other men. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Rock Hudson. Hudson was desperate to work again and went against the advice of his friends to shoot, The Ambassador, a turgid drama about an American ambassador in Israel. Ive known Ive had it for ten years. Rock Hudson was charming, handsome, and a huge presence both on screen and off. By that time I was married and Jane was working on another show, Saint James said of the lawsuit, which ended up fizzling out. They also starred in the 1961 film "Lover Come Back" and 1964's "Send Me No Flowers." . The actor had requested prior to his passing that his friends celebrate his death with a party, music, and champagne. Griffin writes that Hudson was interested in extremely masculine men, preferably those who identified as straight or were at least known to go both ways., Actress Mamie Van Doren said that Hudson saw it as a challenge to see if he could swing a straight guy, adding,And Im sure he did.. Upon his death, Hudson left everything toGeorge Nader, an actor friend, and Naders partner, Mark Miller. Christian later sued Hudson's estate claiming Hudson had carried on sleeping with him for eight months after he got his diagnosis, leaving him a 'dead man'. The conversation was recorded by private eye Fred Otash, a detective that Phyllis had hired to spy on Hudson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Alice Waier, Hudsons adoptive sister, claimed she has a letter Hudson wrote to a friend in November 1945 which proves he had a secret child but with a schoolmate, not a school friends mother. The comments below have been moderated in advance. He smells of milk. She was also friends with Dean. Hudson's friend, the actor John Carlyle, said that the couple were 'companionable' and that they had 'nonstop giggles' together. susan dent daughter of rock hudson. Dent has been fighting this in court for years. A woman named Susan Dent emerged in 2014, claiming to be Rock Hudson's long-lost daughter. Hudson was desperate to work again and went against the advice of his friends to shoot, The Ambassador, a turgid drama about an American ambassador in Israel. Plus, Hudson was nervous and inexperienced. Were told Dents attorneys did not submit the DNA test as evidence with the court in their initial filing, but they will for the new trial, which begins later this month. Saint James says that right before he became ill, she spent a magical night with him reminiscing about old times and is grateful that they could share that time together. Pinterest. A woman armed with DNA results she says confirms that she is the secret daughter of the lateRock Hudsonhas been battling for years in court to establish that. With fame came more attention from the tabloid press and Universal became increasingly anxious about Hudsons personal life. After a major setback, an appeals court has once again given her claim life. Like a father," Griffin wrote (via USA Today). When he returned home from Tel Aviv in January 1984 Christian was shocked by his physical condition. During their conversation, the actor talked about his love for antiquing and his desire to see the film "Cocoon" by director Ron Howard. The film was an instant classic and Hudson became the biggest star in the world on the back of it. Were told the estate is not dead set against Dent and her claim, they are just concerned with what she might do with her newfound paternity. I was jealous of him because I was afraid he was stealing the picture from me.. The marriage only lasted three years. He had to make his relationships with onscreen stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, and Doris Day believable, so he hid who he truly was on the inside. They pair starred in 1959's "Pillow Talk" and had a friendship that endured until his death, according toPeople. In 2014, a woman called Susan Dent, 69, sued Hudson's estate seeking an order establishing paternity - she did not seek any money. The Ongoing Legal Battle. But while she claims her intentions are good, his estate isnt so sure. With fame came more attention from the tabloid press and Universal became increasingly anxious about Hudson's personal life. Their film "Pillow Talk" was a huge success and earned Day her only Best Actress Academy Award nomination. Willson's pitch for Hudson was as a simple Midwestern hunk, a former truck driver who had turned to acting. According to Mark Griffin, author of the Rock Hudson biography "All That Heaven Allows," young Roy Fitzgerald's stepfather physically abused him. Unfortunately, Roy's name lacked that star quality that so many actors possessed. She said: 'If it wasn't Marilyn Monroe crying on his shoulder it was Judy Garland. Hudson was afraid Dean was monopolizing both his friend and the film. Dent then hired attorneys and began the legal process with her goal being to change her birth certificate to reflect her updated lineage. Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 - October 2, 1985) was an American actor.One of the most popular movie stars of his time, he had a screen career spanning more than three decades. 7,834, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved In his final months, he flew to Paris for treatment with an experimental drug called HPA-23, but his close friends said Hudson was in denial. In letters published in author Mark Griffin'sAll That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson, the actor wrote: 'We have recently had sex together and I have been informed by my doctor that I may have AIDS. In 2014, a woman called Susan Dent, 69, sued Hudson's estate seeking an order establishing paternity - she did not seek any money. She filed an appeal the next month. Hudson's other lovers included Tom Clark, who became a long term boyfriend and moved in for a decade. Hudson was was 'so giddy and smitten' he bought Christian a new Mercedes Benz, presents for him and his friends, and acting lessons. "In a way, the two of them were competing for her affections, just as in the film," Graham pointed out. The pair clashed the entire time, and co-star Elizabeth Taylor tried to get the two to make peace between one another. Hudson's biography is set to become a major motion picture directed by Greg Berlanti who recently directed high school love story about a closeted gay teen, Love, Simon. lionel richie lytham st annes. In 2014, a woman called Susan Dent, 69, sued Hudsons estate seeking an order establishing paternity she did not seek any money. Another issue was that Confidential, a tabloid magazine which exposed the personal lives of Hollywood stars, was planning to out Hudson as gay, or as a 'Lavender Lad' as it called homosexuals. The book reveals Hudson's inner pain due to decades of living in the closet while publicly playing the role of a red-blooded, heterosexual male pin-up. Hudson reportedly disliked the moniker, but he eventually came around and even called his production company Gibraltar. 16,874, This story has been shared 7,851 times. Hudson was a beloved celebrity who was forced to stay in the closet and never publicly admitted that he was gay. Hudson asked Miler to accompany him to see his personal physician and an AIDS specialist from UCLA, Dr Michael Gottlieb. In addition, Hudson enjoyed spending time drinking and hanging out with Taylor into the early morning, and Dean tried to cut in and disturb their friendship. According to the book "Rock Hudson: His Story," (via Clutch MOV), the close friends concocted the cocktail in Marfa, Texas, during their downtime. The Hudson Estate. Susan Dent is not after money, she has plenty of her own. Since they loved martinis as well as chocolate, it made sense to combine chocolate liqueur, chocolate syrup, and vodka to make a martini. Rock Hudson was one of the most famous and successful actors of his time. She claimed that her mother had revealed that Hudson was her biological father years earlier. In interviews Hudson would return to the phrase I just kept my mouth shut again and again when talking about his youth. In the book "Giant: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Edna Ferber, and the Making of a Legendary American Film" by Don Graham, the author reveals some juicy details about the 1956 film that centered on a Texas cattle rancher. Roy then took Fitzgerald's last name, graduated from New Trier High School, and joined the Navy during World War II, during which he worked as an aircraft mechanic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Even in 2021, Susan Saint James thinks famously closeted Rock Hudson would have never ever come out.. As Flaherty saw it, Hudson was getting older and had scored this hot, young trophy boyfriend he really thought he was in love.. New Biography of Rock Hudson: 'We have recently had sex together andI may have AIDS.' . She thought his name was odd, but once she got to know him, she enjoyed his company because he was funny and had a good sense of humor. ByDaniel Goldblatt,Mike Walters,Liz Walters, The Blast. Willson also gave him his name, Rock Hudson, which he came to by combining the Rock of Gibraltar with the Hudson River in New York. Willson also gave him his name, Rock Hudson, which he came to by combining the Rock of Gibraltar with the Hudson River in New York. In 1952, Playboy did a spread of Hudson in bed with the headline, Rip Van Hudson but the suggestion about his sexuality was way off the mark. He would jokingly call her "Eunice" and other names. Nader died in 2002 and Miller passed away in 2015. She allegedly didn't want any financial compensation but wanted to be recognized as his offspring. Play it now! Christian died in 2009 due to pulmonary issues which were attributed to his smoking - he had tested negative several times for AIDS. Hudson's estate manager Marty Flaherty said that at the beginning it was 'basically shopping sprees for Marc Christian.'. From Hudsons point of view, their relationship was just another script he didnt like which he had to make work, Griffin writes. Rock Hudson was a beloved actor and heartthrob of the 1950s and 60s. By 1965 Hollywood was in on the joke of his sexuality and in A Very Special Favor, he played a man trying to woo a woman by pretending to be gay. Within days Congress allocated $221 million to find a cure for AIDS and donations to AIDS charities skyrocketed. Hudson became the first well-known to figure to die of AIDS-related causes when he passed away in 1985. It was the first sign of the effects AIDS was having on his body. In this letter he tells his friend everythingI am sure (his mother) Kay handled the whole thing because he wasnt even at home.. 4. Hudson's adoptive sister was reportedly in possession of a letter about the situation written by Rock, and the author claimed that more than one person he interviewed for his book said that Hudson had two daughters by two different women. Hudson told her: I wanted him to die, I hated him. It was a cruel joke and Griffin writes: 'The conflicts that he grappled with daily and the deadening silence he had to endure in order to maintain his position as Hollywood's most popular leading man were being played for laughs. Shortly before he died Hudson donated $250,000 to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, which helped to launch it and make it the fundraising powerhouse it is today. His whole appeal is cleanliness and respectability - this boy is pure.'. She wrote that it was impossible their marriage was a sham because she knew that Rock loved me.. In 2011, the actress revealed that she didn't know anything about her handsome co-star before they met. When the auto-complete results are available, use the up and down arrows to review and Enter to select. Some of the most disturbing scenes are likely to be Hudson's early life in rural Winnetka, Illinois, where he was beaten by his step father Wallace Fitzgerald, an abusive drunk. Susie Dent (born 1964) is an English lexicographer, etymologist, and media personality.She has appeared in "Dictionary Corner" on the Channel 4 game show Countdown since 1992. He also made visits to the first gay bar in Lexington, Kentucky, called The Gilded Cage, and through his connections there attended parties where he was believed to have slept with college football players. "So it is sort of a conspiracy of silence,"Griffin told NPR. To change her birth certificate to reflect her updated lineage first sign of the most famous and successful actors his... Touching gesture she included a note asking him to get it checked out one:. Always upset because in the US Navy as an Apprentice Seaman lovers included Tom,... Sprees for Marc Christian. ' Christian. 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