The public and private Rock Hudson
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2023
- For nearly four decades as a star of films and TV, Rock Hudson was Hollywood's epitome of heterosexual desire. But he also led a secret life as a closeted gay man, and in 1985 became the first celebrity to die of AIDS. Correspondent Tracy Smith looks back on the public and private lives of Hudson, and talks with Stephen Kijak, director of the new HBO documentary "Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed"; biographer Mark Griffin; and actress Linda Evans, who shared a romantic scene with Hudson on "Dynasty" at a time when some feared that a kiss could transmit HIV.
#RockHudson #Hollywood
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Rock Hudson’s health problems was the reason we all could see what Liz Taylor was made of ,she was the most compassionate and generous actress in Hollywood ,the only one at the time who stood for the aids epidemic and really help find aid for the patients with aids !
Correct! I always believed Liz Taylor was a good person. The AIDS crisis is how the world found out too. It's why the other Elizabeth made her a Dame. That and the fact that she was born in the UK and she never gave up her British citizenship.
Except for the time she had an affair and later married her friends husband 🤨 remember Debbie Reynolds?
Amen and God bless her glorious soul.
@@itchyandred4131 Debbie Reynolds did forgive her. So there's that.
@@yvonneplant9434 Elizabeth Taylor may have been born in the UK and had citizenship but she was American. Her parents were Americans who were temporarily living in England and she only spent 5 years of her childhood there before they went back to the US where she was raised. Huge fan of her. Never got why she was given damehood for the reasons mentioned but it was a nice honor.
Linda Evans really comes across as compassionate here. Also, we lost a damn treasure in so many ways when we lost Liz Taylor.
Debbie Reynolds would disagree. We are all humans, and no one is a "treasure". We all have good and bad aspects.
@@boycott2720 Elizabeth and Debbie reconciled all the way back in 1966 and were friends until Taylor died in 2011
@@rubytuesdayphoenix And? That does not change the behavior. It actually says more about Debbie than it does Taylor.
Ms. Elizabeth Taylor was a living icon. She is missed.
@@rubytuesdayphoenixYes, they did. She also kinda made peace with Sybil Burton.
Wow. He was only 59! I thought he was much older. What a terrible scourge AIDS was in the early days with no effective treatment and all the terrible isolation many patients died in.
I totally agree, so well said and written. 🥺🕊️💔
People died from that who were all ages, children, teens, early twenties. At least rock Hudson had a full great life even though it ended at that age
@@BigBadJerryRogers children? Africa , mainly. Here in U.S, mostly young and older adults.
@@melissagarza2376 I guess you never heard of Ryan White. Babies were born in the US with HIV.
During nursing school, we were required to care for an HIV+ or AIDS patient during our training. I took his blood pressure without gloves on. It was 1992 and we KNEW how it was transmitted. He told me I was the FIRST person who had touched him without gloves. It meant the world to me.
A human touch could be so important to someone who is sick.
And meant much to him I am sure. ❤
That is heartbreaking. So much suffering and so many lives lost. It was really tragic.
@FacheChanteDeux It was so horrible for him, Fache. He was incontinent (both urine & feces) all the time so he was constantly panicked. It was torture for him. I know he's at peace now.
@@DemonsSister wasn't the worry with touching is that you might give them something with them being weak?
Those of us who were geniune fans of Rock Hudson remained fans after his diagnosis. Perhaps more so because it took courage for him to publicly state that he had AIDS. Rest in peace, Mr Hudson.
Still one of my favorite actors.
There's a video of Pat Boone telling about his seeing Rock on his deathbed and that Pat led Rock to Jesus. So, I know Rock is saved and in Heaven. He is no longer gay. He probably has a lot of children/ Grand children by now.
@@julienielsen3746.... 😆
@@julienielsen3746You’re a clown.
The guy was having sex with 1/2 a dozen men after being diagnosed and didn't tell them. They found out on the news just like we'd did. Real nice guy😉 many people have gone to prison for that
It wasn't Elizabeth's first rodeo, she was there for her friend Montgomery Clift, whom she rescued from the car crash. She was a very generous friend, anyone would be lucky to have a friend like her.
She also welcomed James Dean with open arms during the filming of Giant. She was always an ally.
Unless she was attracted to your husband, whether you had kids or not, bye bye husband
@@LJ-ht4zs lol well when you have her looks…
@@sn07 Not quite the same deal with Dean…Alice Denham, Betsy Russell, Liz Sheridan, Pier Angeli, Barbara Glenn, Geraldine Page, Arlene Martel (Sax), Ursula Andress…
@@blueberrycobbler what do you mean? But you should look up what she said about Dean while filming Giant
This story reminds me of my brave cousin who was among the first AIDS patients and his brave mother who shared a spoon with him as they split a kiwi at Indiana University hospital in 1984. The nurses were compassionate as well. For a farm boy from Indiana, this was a tough diagnosis, but it was faced with strength.❤
Rock Hudson did not share his diagnosis with a young man he was living with. (I know the man sued his estate after he died, but not sure whether the young man contracted AIDS. He said they were having unprotected sex.
So sorry for what your cousin endured.
@@FacheChanteDeux Thanks. It was a hard lesson for all of us.
Elizabeth Taylor was a true friend to Rock Hudson, Giant was a good reflection of that love and chemistry between them, nice to have that moment on film.
Rock Hudson was one of Hollywood's finest actors! In my opinion he's right up there with Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Cary Grant, and Clark Gable!
He doesn't get the credit he so graciously deserves!
It makes me emotional 😞😭 see how sweet Linda Evans is still protecting and generous of Rock's image amd not faulting him for what must have been an agonizing time dor her as well, since AIDS was like COVID-19 then-no one knew how it was transmitted and how to take the proper precautions to prevent getting/spreading it 😭
I agree, I remember worrying about Linda Evans and felt angry that Rock Hudson did not share his diagnosis with her. I remember seeing his photo at the time - while I didn't guess that he had AIDS it certainly looked like he was very sick, I thought maybe some kind of cancer. When I found out it was AIDS - I was worried about Linda not about him. It was clear that he was dying and of course one does not wish that on anyone, BUT if you have a contagious disease which is fatal, your sharing it to someone you are living with (having sex with) as well as someone you have a kissing scene with is critical.
You cannot pass on the virus that way. This is why education is so needed in this country after all these years
@@BigBadJerryRogers cannot agree more 👍
AIDS is far deadlier than COVID. I recall pastors saying it was from Satan, putting signs out saying people weren't welcome in church, all sorts of meanness that humans are so good at. Wretched species we humans, forever ashamed to be one.
@@BigBadJerryRogersYes, we all know now how AIDS is passed, but, at the time he was kissing On Dynasty no one knew, not even Hudson. I find that very disturbing and selfish of him, not to be protective of others. He was willing to take a chance with someone else’s life to protect his career
My dear uncle passed away from AIDS back in 89 . I remember him telling me I didn’t need to wear a face mask to see him & I took it off . I will never forget that day. ❤🙏🏻😞
It was a real defining moment when Hudson came out with AIDs when there was such a stigma about the disease. He had a liquid sadness in his eyes most of his career, but great moments (that fight with the racist diner owner in Giant is classic). Look forward to the doc.!
*Rock Hudson was a quintessential actor and person.*
His worth, as person and public figure is YET to be recognized. This documentary helps justice to be brought to light!
Rest in peace, Rock!
Wrecked the life of an innovent woman Phyllis Gates. She had no life during the marriage and after the divorce it was she who was stigmatized. Always wondered what Jennifer Aniston has to say about Hudson inasmuch as her mother, a failed actress, was his secretary for awhile.
Wonderful to see his FULL legacy finally being discussed and brought to a new generation. I realized recently how few young people now even realize that the AIDS crisis was made so much worse by the bigotry of the time, and especially by the Regan administration. This is history that is being lost if we don't keep teaching it. Rock deserves his place in both that history and his place as an old Hollywood icon.
And the Hollywood Walk OF Fame if not. Doris Day stood by him during his health issues with AIDES. They were my favorite STARS in some of the greatest movies.
Politics aside I give Barbara Bush a lot of credit for her compassion. Aside from Princess Diana she was one of the few notable people who stepped forward to change bigoted attitudes.
@@marybravado6787 She and Melcher must have been furious. They had an empire (financially) tied up in Hudson and the Doris/Rock thing.
I was still in high school when Rock Hudson came forward and revealed he had AIDS. I, absolutely, remember the shock of it all. The entire world was stunned by the news. His diagnosis, and subsequent death, made a real difference from then on. If Rock Hudson could get AIDS, then anyone in the world can too. I think we all became more aware of how we were treating people with HIV/AIDS. Rock Hudson's death was NOT in vain.
Wasn’t really a surprise to us. We use to see his limo, picking up the male prostitutes on the blvd. I know I wasn’t shocked.
For real movie fans ,he's not over looked he was brilliant in the Doris day movies !!!!!!😁🇬🇧
My mom and grandma who are from Peru loved him.. They used to watch his movies and thought he was very handsome. When they heard he has gay they didnt care bc they said its his private life. But when he said he had Aids it was a huge shock even there. He was a great actor🙏🏼
This man brought such comfort in his reporting and compassion.
Rock Hudson was a movie star , period and it is sad he died from AIDS but his death brought more recognition to the disease then anything else, he didn't die in vain and his good friend Elizabeth Taylor went on to become one of the most strongest champions in his behalf to help others his death activated her activism which became her main cause , I hope both of them are up there now together having a great time!
Could have died of cancer but AIDS has more pull. You never know. Much of what we know or think we do is SPIN.
Oh this story is pooh, Rock is still an ICON (w/ James Dean and all the rest)!!! He was a great actor and he acted great, that cannot be denied.
And, what he did in his private life was none of our business, and believe me, he was not the only one with a private life. RIP Mr. Hudson 🥰 and thank you for the memories.
Well said!
Well said! Yes, he’s an icon. I Love all his movies, especially Pillow Talk with Doris Day. Both perfectly casted together in many films. ❤
So well said!❤️
Exactly!
I agree. Rock Hudson is truly one of the iconic film stars. He will never be forgotten.
All these great ladies surrounded him like angels in the end.
The press was rough on Rock Hudson.
Make a movie based on Rock Hudson life and be truthful about his life. That’ll be a good movie to see
Rock Hudson was The Rock. Still is. We were saddened by his diagnosis and even more so by his death. We still love his movies, his work. We still love our Rock.
It was truly a low point in our history. I have lived with HIV for thirty-five years thanks to medications and just plain luck. What was done to Rock Hudson and others who died during the epidemic was criminal.
What was done to Rock Hudson? Please elaborate
@@Whatt787because the disease was at first seen to be a gay disease the government stalled trying to find cures leaving many to die
Rock was an entertainer, his personal life is none of anyone's business!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GUFFAW!
That’s why you are watching ? ………
Yes it is
The clip in the first movie is NOT from Pillow Talk. It's from All That Heaven Allows.
Exactly!! With Jane Wyman. They also starred in the film Magnificent Obsession together. Pillow Talk was with Doris Day and Tony Randall.
Elizabeth was so kind to many!
In my Dad's old college annual, Rock was photographed choosing the 'Bama beauties' for the homecoming court. This was about '55.
Sorry this world was so tough on you. Praying it's better next time around.
Rest in Paradise, Rock.
Love love love Rock Hudson ❤
A classy gentleman, a gifted actor ❤❤❤ thank you 🙏
During the watts 1965 riots rock took his black maid to her home to make sure she was safe...Rock Hudson was not a racist rock is alright with me👍💯💯💯💰
Hmmm, I never knew that.
"Send Me No Flowers " is one of my all time favorite films, and a great comedic performance by Rock Hudson! A must-see movie!!🙏❤ Guaranteed laughter!!😂
Its not that funny now--In the film, he thought he was dying, and in real life, he died an awful drawn out death
Rock Hudson called his fried Doris Day "Eunice." He wasn't a great actor, but his films are wonderful. May his memory be a blessing.
Speaking as a heterosexual man, Rock Hudson was one of the most sympathetic, dependable and talented leading men of his generation. It's a pleasure to watch and re-watch his performances, whether in serious roles or his gift for light comedy ('Pillow Talk', etc.)
My favorite fim of his was Man's Favorite Sport?(1964) with Paula Prentiss
I remember my best friend's grandparents used to go to "society" parties in NYC and meet all sorts of celebrities. I remember they told us that Rock Hudson was gay and my friend and I refused to believe them. Rock Hudson was such a huge star that it really was impossible to believe. It was such a different time. Regardless, he's still one of my favorites!❤❤❤❤
God Bless Rocks soul.
Rock was probably one of the few men in old Hollywood who protected the women he was close to. Doris Day and Liz Taylor's love for him spoke volumes.
I find it bizarre that Magic Johnson was treated far differently when he announced that he had HIV. People rallied around him, and AIDS research funding tripled over night. There was very little negative press over Magic Johnson.
There were a number of reasons. By 1991, we knew much more about HIV and AIDS than we did in 1984, and there had been massive public education campaigns to change attitudes. But probably the most significant difference was simply homophobia toward Hudson.
The difference was Magic was diagnosed years later. In 1985, there was little to no understanding of AIDS.
Magic Johnson was straight, Rock Hudson was gay and because of that the moral majority thought that Rock Hudson got what he deserve, unfortunately.
That was because he gave press about it and wasn't having sexual relationships w/o telling a partner. I remember after treatment and he was well enough to play again, (Not cured, but well enough) to play again. Some of the team members were worried about playing with him (Sweating a lot etc) Larry Byrd - Boston Celtics - said he was up for playing with Magic Johnson all day every day.
@@LJ-ht4zshe wasn't out there sleeping around and not being as careful as he needed to be while he was married? You did know that right, he was married and doing all that out on the road?
Wow Linda Evans still looks great
He was extremely handsome.
I had a good friend who worked on a TV show with him in the late 70s. “So, how is Rock Hudson?”, I asked. He answered, “Well, you know he’s gay.” To which I argued that was simply impossible. Such was his strong straight image.
Homophobia is as American as apple pie.
@@warrenpaine 🤣🤣🤣
Dont know what to say..he seems like a decent man but he lied to the world for the sake of his job, his career...could have made a different choice and lived his truth...
@@essence178I think perhaps had he lived longer he may very well have been open about who he actually was. I fully get your point but I can see the other side because of the way things were in the 1980s, that largely would have been the end of his career.
@@essence178 Do you know how hard it was for LGBTQ+ people to have been out in those days? Yes, I am all for people living their truth, but going public about your sexuality at that time, in many cases, would have cost you your career and livelihood. I don't think you should hold Rock Hudson's "lying" against him.
I love being able to see these clips from Sunday morning. So many entertaining and important stories to see. I plan to watch the documentary.
He was the man! And I don’t care if he was gay!
I watched this doc last night, and it's excellent. I remember my mother talking about Rock Hudson as "homosexual." It was the first time I'd heard the word; it was probably the early 1960s. So it was kind of an open secret. And my mother didn't read gossip rags so I have no idea how she knew. It's amazing just how gorgeous he was even by today's standards. Most actors of that time are clearly of that time, but not Rock Hudson. Today he'd be an action star. Can we also take a minute to appreciate just how gorgeous Linda Evans looks, and apparently with little or no plastic surgery? There are no cheek implants, no signs of botox, none of the telltale signs that most actresses her age have. She looks every year of her age (80) and shows that it's possible to still be beautiful without all that stuff.
I still have "Pillow Talk". I really loved Doris Day, when I was a boy, and I was very jealous of Rock Hudson. I wanted his voice though. Like most of us at that time I was completely shocked that Hudson was gay. His best acting was maintaining that facade for so long. Although it's more acceptable nowadays, Hudson seems like the type of person that would still stay in the "closet". It has to take a whole lot of courage, even today, for people to live life as their true selves and I support and commend those who do.
Such a tragic ending to a storied career. Knowing his fans and friends were shunning him is simply heartbreaking. People loved the illusion of him. Shameful how his legacy has been handled. He was a great actor. Rest easy and in peace, sir. You left us some wonderful movies.
Rock Hudson will always be my old-school favorites.
This man brought such comfort in his reporting and compassion.. This man brought such comfort in his reporting and compassion..
Linda Evans. So elegant!
What an amazing woman Elizabeth Taylor was. 💙💜❤️🌹
He was a good man. Elizabeth Doris Marilyn and so many more loved him. I feel sad as a 55 year old healthy gay man that he was fearful and alone, like so many innocent gay men in the 80’s. I graduated in ‘86, but I fondly remember co-workers at my first real job, that I have to this day passing. Beautiful handsome strong funny men that died from this mystery disease. It skipped me by a few years. It made me less promiscuous, however it also made me grieve for my gay brothers. They were the same as me. I can only describe it to Covid, except the victims were marginalised, and the end result was death. I’m from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Manhattan Beach, so you can only imagine the talented men I knew. I dated a young 23 year old who was the main apprentice to Franco Moschino. I would hear his voice nightly from Spain and London and Italy to our la Cienaga apartment in Los Angeles. When my special friend told me he passed from AIDS, I was devastated. You have no idea how connected we all were. I’m forever scarred, and forever in their debt. They paid the price, so I may live….
My mother grew up loving Rock Hudson on the big screen. She was utterly shocked and devastated to learn that he had AIDS and was gay.
But she was compassionate about his plight. Honor and respect to Doris Day and Elizabeth Taylor for continuing to love him and to lift him up. Real friends - being there for you until the bitter end...
A lesson in compassion. Thank you, CBS!
Rock,along with Tab Hunter and Richard Chamberlain were a shock also because the stereotype of gay was a fellow like Liberace. Life is full of surprises!
He is never unforgettable ❤
Breathtaking looking man & a great actor!
Rip Rock, nearly 40 years since you left. Your films 🎥 are still relevant ⭐️🌙⭐️
Magic Johnson's announcement that he was HIV positive would come some 7 years later.
Just finished watching the documentary on MAX and it was really good. It captured who he was and what he went through…no sugar coating anything.
What a great and compassionate story.
Rock on Rock. Love you ❤️💛💜💚💙. Love Elizabeth Taylor too. 💕💐
Seconds is a great Rock Hudson movie with a terrific lead performance
I watched the documentary yesterday and then re-watched it with my husband and have been binge watching his films all day❤❤❤ 😢😢😢
Pretty Maids In A Row(1971) is also a favorite of mine
Never knew much about him as a kid. My dad watched guys like Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, Yul Brynner, and Steve McQueen.
I only found out who he was when he came out (AIDS and being Gay) in 1985. I saw shows like Entertainment Tonight talk about the movie "GIANTc" with him and James Dean. But as an 8 y/o kid in 1985, he wasn't big on my personal radar. But because of him contracting AIDS, i immediately knew who he was. It was indeed HUGE news coverage that everyone was talking about it. Unfortunately it was HIM who brought the attention to the epidemic. People only care when thinge affect the rich and famous. 🤷🏾♂️
He didn't come out as gay. His AIDS was told off as being the result of a blood transfusion during a previous surgery (I think it was heart surgery).
Compassion was negligent in society to people of any age that were diagnosed with having AIDS (&HIV) to the degree of treating them as leapers were centuries ago. Inhumanely adding to the suffering of loneliness when friends & family are needed most. Cruelty as this, I dearly hope never to be repeated.
But it was repeated, at the least the dehumanizing hysteria aspect, with Covid.
Liz Taylor did so much for the aids pandemic 😢love them both for being so brave
Great HBO doc! Very fair & caring
Stephen Kijak is a gifted filmmaker. I highly recommend all of his films.
Bless him
He died my first term at UCLA. It was so tragic.
@@amberwatson8043it's one of those things where people remember what they were doing when they found out about this. No I wouldn't compare it to the terrorist attack of 911 but people remember what they were doing at the time in the same way
Rock on Rock. Love you ❤️💛💜💚💙🧡
Thank you for reminding us and thank you Rock Hudson.
Dang, 59. AIDS made him looked like 79
It was shocking. When he did a press conference prior to the announcement, people couldn’t believe he was the same person.
So handsome, talented and funny, he one of a kind, such a superb actor and I still watch his movies to this day. I loved Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies and how she protected his private life, Elizabeth Taylor also and her crusade to help with aids.
I love him!! He was a great actor!!! Pillow Talk, Giant, Lover come Back, so many more movie's!!! 🎥🎥🎥... He was a very handsome man... He is missed by all.... ❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🌹....
Loved Rock Hudson.....being gay and AIDS didn't define him. He was a great person and actor ❤
We should watch how we point our fingers. There's always one pointing back at us....
I am so thankful Mr. Hudson was open about having AIDS. In 1987, Two years after he passed, my late husband got tested for HIV and found out he was positive for the virus. I imagine what Mr. Hudson and Ms. Taylor did for AIDS research made that test possible, the first test available to the general public.
Open about AIDS??? Rock Hudson kept it a secret for over a year, he was told he had AIDS on June 5,1984, and made it public July of 1985
Rock Hudson is one of my favorite old time Hollywood heartthrobs.
He. Was. A. Great. Actor. In. TV. And. Movies. RIP❤❤❤❤
Overlooked? NEVER!! 🥺💗
What a dear, sweet, brave, beautiful man. RIP Rock. I wish you could see all the hope and progress you brought to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS community.
RIP beautiful soul ❤
my memory of him is on i love lucy rerun and dynasty
Such an admirable icon.😢
Love him and all his movies ❤
Wow Linda evans still looks amazing
Still remember the short stint he did on "Dynasty" and yes it was shocking when it came out that he had that dreaded Aids, as a kid I remember those rom coms he did with Doris Day and Gina Lollabridgeta and of course in the 70s the NBC detective show "McMillan and Wife" with all the advancement in medical treatment for it it is a shame that he didn't live long enough to benefit from from it...
May he R.I.P. !
I was 12 years old when he died. His death was how I found out who he was. He was so much more than his disease. The HBO documentary reflects that.
Seconds is a great movie
Agreed! His best performance.
On the Larry King show back in 1985, after Rock Hudson either died or admitted he had AIDS, Robert Stack said Rock was arrested for sexual assault on an underage teen boy(Robert Stack said that he,Robert, was 'close to the police'), as soon as he said that, Larry King changed the subject--Robert Stack was a friend of Rock's and loved his childish behavior on the set of a movie they did back in 1957--The public never knew about this perhaps because Rock probably paid the kid off, this is all from Robert Stack's account
I can not imagine what suffering Rock Hudson went through his whole life, not being able to be his true self. I am glad he had a private life were well guarded by his true friend's .
What a handsome man makes today's actors look like crap.
I remember the fear and cruel things but most of all Princess Dianna and her love breaking that barrier.
Che dire!! Più bello di così non si può!!!
Incredibly sad. It shows who Liz Taylor really was.
When this story broke out, I soiled my jeans. Just didn't sink in. He's 'Max', of McMillan and wife!!!! Rest in peace.
Taylor was a goddess of beauty and humanity.
He was so handsome!!! Rip !💐
RIP🙏🏻
May you rest in peace 🙏