Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985) was an American actor, who, according to TCM.com’s biography “epitomized Hollywood's classic matinee idol image...One of the most popular movie stars of his time, Hudson's screen career spanned five decades and was a shining example of Hollywood's classical "star system"-style career promotion ...” A prominent heartthrob of the Hollywood Golden Age, he achieved stardom with his role in Magnificent Obsession (1954), followed by All That Heaven Allows (1955), director Douglas Sirk’s self-described effort to re-create the success of Magnificent Obsession, and Giant (1956), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Hudson also found continued success with a string of romantic comedies co-starring Doris Day: Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961), and Send Me No Flowers (1964). During the late 1960s, his films included Seconds (1966), Tobruk (1967), and Ice Station Zebra (1968). Unhappy with the film scripts he was offered, Hudson turned to television and was a hit starring in the popular mystery series McMillan & Wife (1971-1977). His last role was as a guest star on the fifth season (1984-1985) of the primetime ABC soap opera Dynasty, until the ravages of AIDS-related illness made it impossible for him to continue.Numerous film magazines declared Hudson Star of the Year, Favorite Leading Man, and similar titles. He appeared in nearly 70 films and starred in several television productions during a career that spanned more than four decades. He was discreet regarding his sexual orientation, but it was known by many in the film industry during his lifetime. His sexual orientation became public knowledge following his death from AIDS-related complications in 1985, making him the first major celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness.