Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985) was an American actor. One of the most popular film stars of his time, he had a screen career spanning more than three decades, and was a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Hudson achieved stardom with his role in Magnificent Obsession (1954), followed by All That Heaven Allows (1955), 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 an AIDS-related illness made it impossible for him to continue.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role NotesRef. 1948 Fighter Squadron Pilot Uncredited 1949 Undertow Detective Credited as Roc Hudson 1950 One Way Street Truck driver Uncredited Shakedown Valet Uncredited (59 minutes into the movie) Peggy Johnny "Scat" Mitchell Winchester '73 Young Bull I Was a Shoplifter Si Swanson - Store Detective Small part. Two scenes with one line on each. The Desert Hawk Captain Ras 1951 Tomahawk Burt Hanna Air Cadet Upper classman The Fat Man Roy Clark Bright Victory Dudek Iron Man Tommy "Speed" O'Keefe (Kosco) 1952 Bend of the River Trey Wilson Here Come the Nelsons Charles E. "Charlie" Jones Scarlet Angel Frank Truscott (Panama) Has Anybody Seen My Gal Dan Stebbins Horizons West Neil Hammond 1953 The Lawless Breed John Wesley Hardin Seminole Lance Caldwell Sea Devils Gilliatt The Golden Blade Harun Gun Fury Ben Warren Back to God's Country Peter Keith 1954 Taza, Son of Cochise Taza Magnificent Obsession Bob Merrick Bengal Brigade Capt. Jeffrey Claybourne 1955 Captain Lightfoot Michael Martin One Desire Clint Saunders All That Heaven Allows Ron Kirby Never Say Goodbye Dr. Michael Parker 1956 Giant Jordan "Bick" Benedict Jr. Nominated Academy Award for Best Actor Written on the Wind Mitch Wayne 1957 Battle Hymn Col. Dean Hess Something of Value Peter The Tarnished Angels Burke Devlin A Farewell to Arms Lt. Frederick Henry 1958 Twilight for the Gods Captain David Bell 1959 This Earth Is Mine John Rambeau Pillow Talk Brad Allen 1961 The Last Sunset Dana Stribling Come September Robert L. Talbotalso uncredited executive producer via 7 Pictures Corporation Lover Come Back Jerry Websteralso uncredited executive producer via 7 Pictures Corporation 1962 The Spiral Road Dr. Anton Drager 1963 Marilyn NarratorDocumentary A Gathering of Eagles Col. Jim Caldwell 1964 Man's Favorite Sport? Roger Willoughbyalso uncredited executive producer via Gibraltar Productions Send Me No Flowers George 1965 Strange Bedfellows Carter Harrisonalso uncredited executive producer via Gibraltar Productions A Very Special Favor Paul Chadwickalso uncredited executive producer via Gibraltar Productions 1966 Blindfold Dr. Bartholomew Snowalso uncredited executive producer via Gibraltar Productions Seconds Antiochus "Tony" Wilsonalso uncredited executive producer via Gibraltar Productions 1967 Tobruk Maj. Donald Craigalso uncredited executive producer via Gibraltar Productions 1968 A Fine Pair Capt. Mike Harmon Ice Station Zebra Cdr. James Ferraday 1969 The Undefeated Col. James Langdon 1970 Darling Lili Major William Larrabee Hornets' Nest Captain Turner 1971 Pretty Maids All in a Row Michael "Tiger" McDrew 1973 Showdown Chuck Jarvis 1976 Embryo Dr. Paul Holliston 1978 Avalanche David Shelby 1980 The Mirror Crack'd Jason Rudd 1984 The Ambassador Frank Stevenson
Television Year Title Role NotesRef. 1954–1955 The Colgate Comedy Hour Himself 2 episodes 1955 I Love Lucy Episode: "In Palm Springs" 1962 The Jack Benny Program Episode: "Rock Hudson Show" 1968–1969 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In 3 episodes 1970 The Jim Nabors Hour 1 episode 1971–1977 McMillan & Wife Police Commissioner Stewart "Mac" McMillan 40 episodes 1975–1977 The Carol Burnett Show Himself 3 episodes 1978 Wheels Adam Trenton Miniseries 1980 The Martian Chronicles Col. John Wilder 1980 The Beatrice Arthur Special Himself TV specialSuperstunt IITV movie1981The Star MakerDanny Youngblood 1982 The Devlin Connection Brian Devlin 13 episodesWorld War IIIPresident Thomas McKennaMiniseries1984The Vegas Strip WarNeil ChaineTV Movie 1984–1985 Dynasty Daniel Reece 9 episodes; Final role
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