ROCK HUDSON

November 17, 1925

Rock Hudson was born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. on November 17, 1925 in Winnetka, Illinois. One of the most popular movie stars of his time, Hudson’s screen career spanned four decades. 

A prominent heartthrob of the Golden Age of Hollywood, he 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). 

Unhappy with the film scripts he was offered, Hudson turned to television and was a hit, starring in the popular mystery series McMillan & Wife (1971–77). His last role was as a guest star on the fifth season (1984–85) of the primetime ABC soap opera Dynasty, his final screen appearance before ill health forced him to retire. 

Lucy fans remember his guest appearance as  himself on “In Palm Springs” (ILL S4;E26) aired in April 1955, but filmed a month earlier. 

In it, Lucy and Ethel retreat to Palm Springs to get away from their irritating husbands for a bit. 

Ricky and Fred ask Rock Hudson to visit and tell them a morality tale about appreciating someone despite their flaws. 

Hudson spins the tragic tale of Adele Sliff, who disliked her husband’s whistling – and then regrets it. 

Eavesdropping Ricky and Fred come out of hiding and the foursome are happily together again. 

At the time the episode was filmed, Hudson’s box office popularity had taken a dip – from #17 to #24. This may have played a role in his decision to do this, his first television show. Two years later – in 1957 – Hudson was #1 at the box office. 

1955 was a busy year for Hudson. A week after this episode was filmed, Captain Lightfoot premiered. The film is mentioned in the episode. That was followed by One Desire in November, and All That Heaven allows in December. 

Although Hudson was discrete about his sexuality, the above moment is telling. Instead of talking to the female extras seated in the background, Hudson gravitates toward a handsome, reclining male extra. Despite this, in November 1955, Hudson married Phyllis Gates, no doubt bowing to studio pressure. The marriage lasted less than three years. 

ROCK DROPS! 

In “Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20) in 1966, Mrs. Foley (Reta Shaw) tells Lucy Carmichael that she watched Rock Hudson change a tire in front of her Beverly Hills map stand.

In “Lucy, the Philanthropist” (TLS S7;E7) in 1967, Mr. Mooney says from the side he is often mistaken for Richard Burton, but from the front it is Rock Hudson!    

In “Lucy, the Matchmaker” (HL S1;E12) in 1968, Vivian says she can tell from Lucy’s face that her date was no Rock Hudson.  

In “A Date for Lucy” (HL S1;E19) in 1969, Lucy Carter and Mary Jane are talking about dreams dates for a fancy soiree and mention Rock Hudson!

For the small screen version of “The Three Musketeers” that Flip Wilson is rehearsing in “Lucy and Flip Go Legit” (HL S4;E1) in 1971, Flip says that Rock Hudson is playing Anthos, Andy Williams is Porthos, and that he is the ‘token’ musketeer.

In “Lucy Gives Eddie Albert the Old Song and Dance” (HL S6;E6) in October 1973, Lucy, Mary Jane and Vanda are talking about Eddie Albert.

LUCY:  “Eddie Albert has a beautiful home. I saw it when I went on a tour of the movie stars’ homes.”
MARY JANE: “Is that the same tour when you sneaked into Rock Hudson’s back yard and tried to peel an orange?”

In March 1985, Lucille Ball and Rock Hudson were two of the 100 stars on the Radio City Music Hall stage for “Night of 100 Stars II”.  Sixth months later, Hudson died from complications due to AIDS.  He was 59 years old.