Rock Hudson was born Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, to Katherine Wood, a telephone operator, and Roy Harold Scherer, an auto mechanic. He was the product of a mixed heritage, boasting German, Swiss-German, English, and Irish ancestry. When he was just eight years old, his parents decided to go their separate ways, a decision that would have a lasting impact on his life.
Despite his early struggles, Hudson's childhood was not without its challenges. He had a difficult time remembering lines during school plays, which ultimately led to his failure to secure parts in the productions. After completing his high school education, Hudson embarked on a series of unconventional careers, including working as a postal employee and serving as a Navy airplane mechanic during World War II.
Following his military service, Hudson transitioned to a career as a truck driver, a profession that would ultimately lead him to his true calling in the entertainment industry. His impressive physique and dashing good looks caught the attention of film scouts, and he was soon cast in his first picture, Fighter Squadron, in 1948.
Hudson's early years in Hollywood were marked by his struggles to perfect his craft. He required 38 takes to deliver just one line in his first film, a testament to his dedication to his craft. In 1956, he received an Oscar nomination for his role in Giant, and two years later, he was named Star of the Year by Look magazine.
As his career continued to blossom, Hudson became a staple of the bedroom comedy genre, starring alongside the likes of Doris Day in a string of popular films. He also landed his own television series, McMillan & Wife, in 1971, and went on to appear in a recurring role on the hit TV series Dynasty from 1981 to 1985.
Despite his success, Hudson's personal life remained shrouded in secrecy. He kept his homosexuality hidden from the public eye, a decision that would ultimately have far-reaching consequences. In the final years of his life, Hudson became the first major public figure to announce that he had contracted AIDS, a decision that drew international attention and sparked a global search for a cure.
Tragically, Hudson's battle with AIDS was ultimately unsuccessful, and he passed away on October 2, 1985. His death sparked a renewed awareness of the disease and its impact on the global community. In the years following his passing, Hudson's long-time lover, Marc Christian, successfully sued his estate, once again bringing attention to the secrecy that had surrounded Hudson's personal life for so long.
