Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985) was an American actor. One of the most popular movie stars of his time, his acting career spanned three decades. The most famous heartthrob of Hollywood’s Golden Age, he rose to fame in Magnificent Obsession (195 ), followed by All That Heaven Allows (1955) and Giant (1956), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Hudson also enjoyed continued success in several romantic comedies, including Doris Day: Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961), and Send Me No Flowers (196 ). In the late 1960s, his films were Seconds (1966), Tobruk (1967) and Ice Station Zebra (1968). Dissatisfied with the film scripts he was offered, [3] Hudson turned to television and was successful, starring in the popular mystery series McMillan and Wife (1971–1977). His final role was as a guest star in the fifth season (1981 –1985) of the ABC soap opera Dynasty.
Ross Hunter paired Hudson and Doris Day in the romantic comedy Pillow Talk (1959), which was an enormous success. Hudson was voted the most popular star of the country in 1959 and was second most popular during the next three years. Less popular was The Last Sunset (1961), starring Kirk Douglas. Hudson then made two very popular comedies: Come September (1961) with Gina Lollobrigida, Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin, directed by Robert Mulligan; and Lover Come Back (1961) and Day. He made two dramas: The Spiral Road (1962) directed by Mulligan and A Gathering of Eagles (1963) directed by Delbert Mann. Hudson continued to be voted the third most popular star in 1963. Hudson returned to comedy in Man’s Favorite Sport? (1964 ), directed by Howard Hawks, and the popular Send Me No Flowers (1964 ), his third and last film with Day. Along with Cary Grant, Hudson was considered one of Hollywood’s best-dressed male stars and won Star of the Year eight times between 1957 and 196 .
