- Rock Hudson was once a famous Hollywood idol stealing thousands of hearts during his prime.
- Little did his fans know, Hudson led a double life and once married his agent’s secretary.
- His secretive life was recently unveiled in a new HBO documentary, causing other people to see him in a different light.
The actor was the ideal picture of masculinity in the 1950s and 1960s. He played heterosexual roles, starring in several comedy and romantic drama films.
Rock Hudson circa the 1950s. | Source: Getty Images
For many years, he fit the role of being one of Hollywood’s top leading men in its Golden Age. From Elizabeth Taylor to Jane Wyman to Doris Day, Hudson was partnered with the industry’s biggest stars.
Little did people know Hudson wasn’t into women. Behind the scenes, Hudson was dating men, including Lee Garlington. They rarely got their picture taken together because then people would suspect them of being gay.
At one point in Hudson’s career, he even married his agent’s female secretary, Phyllis Gates. Their marriage lasted three years, and throughout that time, he continued to play straight roles.
Rock Hudson circa 1955. | Source: Getty Images
Living With a Secret Disease
For years, he went from the big screen to the small screen, starring in the hit series “McMillan & Wife.” However, this all changed when the actor became one of the first to publicly disclose their HIV/AIDS diagnosis.
At the time, people saw the disease as something dark. People were filled with fear and denial. When Hudson got sick, he coped with it by working and denying that anything was wrong with him.
Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor on the set of “Giant” | Source: Getty Images
While everyone in the world seemed to turn their backs on the actor, one woman stayed by his side and gave the world a loud statement: Elizabeth Taylor.
Unfortunately, his health continued to decline. His last role was alongside Linda Evans on “Dynasty,” and at the time, he kept his diagnosis a secret – even to...
