Rock Hudson didn’t feel the need to reveal his sexual orientation to the world.
Director Stephen Kijak, who explores the late actor’s double life in the documentary “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed”, claims that Hudson never dated because he had the “privilege” of being a successful lead actor.
“He’s a big, tall, cis-white male, a famous movie star with a lot of money. Why would you go out?” Kijak tells Page Six.
The producer, however, was Roy Scherer Jr. in 1925. She believes that Hudson, who was born into the gay community, could do more with her fame and status to help others in the gay community.
“That’s the downside of these privileged, apolitical gays in the system,” adds Sijak.
“Instead of using their privileges and positions for real societal change, ‘What’s the point?’ they said. If we’re going to criticize him for anything, it doesn’t take us a second to realize that it can be of any use.”
Hudson’s “McMillan & Wife” co-star Susan Saint James shared a similar perspective in an interview with Page Six in 2021.
At the time, the actress said that staying in the closet was “ingrained” in Hudson. “He was the sexiest man alive. ‘What a loss!’ I would say,” he said.
“It was cute and funny. He was hilarious and had a life that he truly loved. I don’t think you’ll ever, ever go out.
Hudson was a Hollywood idol whose career spanned decades. She became a star with her roles in films such as “Magnificent Obsession”, “All That Heaven Allows” and “Giant” with Elizabeth Taylor.
He also found success with a number of romantic comedies, including 1959’s “Pillow Talk” alongside Doris Day.
He later returned to television with the popular 70s mystery series “McMillan & Wife”. Her last role came as a guest star in the fifth season of “Dynasty.”
While the Oscar nominee’s sexual orientation was known throughout the industry, it was hidden from the public.
With rumors circulating in the 50s that he might be gay, his manager, Henry Wilson, arranged for Hudson to marry his secretary, Phyliss Gates. The union lasted three years.
Hudson eventually became the first major celebrity to announce an AIDS diagnosis. He died of an AIDS-related illness in 1985, weeks before his 60th birthday.
Following his death, ex-girlfriend Marc Christian MacGinnis won a multimillion-dollar deal from the actor’s estate after Hudson claimed that he knowingly exposed her to AIDS.
The documentary “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Knows”, currently airing on HBO, explores the actor’s secret life, which includes a close circle of gay boyfriends and multiple parties at his Hollywood home nicknamed “The Castle.”
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Kijak tells Page Six that Hudson lives a “pretty loose, somewhat wild, fun life” behind closed doors, despite efforts to preserve his public image.
The film includes interviews with the late actor’s exes and close confidants, as well as a phone recording that shows Hudson’s friend scamming him with a young man.
“They’re arranging this sex date in a very kind and gentle way,” Kijak says with a laugh. “I thought it was unbelievable that this guy kept these records. I can only assume they were potentially blackmail material.
Hudson’s gentle spirit is also evident in the documentary. “He would be the one who flipped the burgers, made sure everyone had a cocktail,” the director says of Hudson’s house parties.
“He was a great host and a really generous man and not for publicity. Again and again, you hear stories and anecdotes just about kindness, generosity, and helping people.
However, Kijak notes that Hudson has a cautious nature, possibly due to his homosexuality.
“It’s a very conservative interview subject,” the producer explains. “She doesn’t let anything out. And decades later, he was very, very tight-lipped and really stuck with a script that was fascinating to watch.”
The documentary also examines the actor’s roles in film and television, including “Pillow Talk,” in which he plays a straight man pretending to be gay.
“It’s really mind-blowing. That was the tactic, ‘Why don’t we hide them in front of our eyes?’ “No one is going to get any smarter,” Kijak says.
And of course, Hudson’s illness and death from AIDS are also being investigated.
Kijak said it wasn’t clear whether the “Don’t Send Me Flowers” star wanted or felt compelled to explain her diagnosis.
“There was such a review when I was in a hospital in France and they couldn’t stop it. They tried to lie to get rid of it. And in the end they said, ‘Look, we need to draft a statement, and that might be the way forward,’” explains the director.
Hudson became an AIDS activist whether he wanted to or not and helped “change the conversation,” Kijak adds.
“Finally, there was a famous facet of the disease that could cause people to wake up and start taking it really seriously.”
“Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed” is currently streaming on Max.