Rock Hudson remembered

Posted by

on October 2, 2007

Today is the 22^nd anniversary of Rock Hudson’s death.

Hudson’s deterioration and demise was played out for the public back in 1985. First there was his appearance on Dynasty. He looked gaunt and prematurely old frolicking on on a picnic blanket with Linda Evans. And then a few months later he showed up on Doris Day’s syndicated show, Doris & Friends. If he had been gaunt on Dynasty, now he was downright skeletal. Clips of the appearance were replayed endlessly on news shows and there was public speculation about what exactly was wrong with Rock Hudson.

At first Hudson, through statements from his doctors and publicist, maintained that he had liver cancer. Finally, in July 1985, while in Paris for experimental medical treatment, the actor announced that he had AIDS. Even then, he did not publicly disclose his sexual orientation. He conjectured that he had been exposed to the virus via blood transfusions.

Hudson died on October 2^nd. In the space of a few months, he had become the public face of AIDS.

The unpleasant images of Rock Hudson’s passing have somewhat overshadowed his career as a Hollywood screen idol. Which is unfortunate, because in his prime Hudson was glorious.

Back in 2003, Larry King invited friends and colleagues of Rock Hudson onto his show to reminisce. The panel included Elaine Stritch, Tony Randall, Gina Lollabrigida, Liz Smith, and Hudson's friend and publicist, Dale Olson. For Rock Hudson fans the transcript is definitely worth a read.

Check out a Hudson video montage after the break.