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What is Rock Hudson’s net worth?

Rock Hudson was an American actor who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 1985, the same as today’s $23 million after inflation adjusted. Rock Hudson was born in Winnetka, Illinois in November 1925 and died in October 1985. He had 75 acting credits to his name and was among the most famous movie stars of his era. His major credits include “Fantastic Mania”, “All Heaven Allows”, “The Giant”, “Pillow Talk”, “Send Me No Flowers” and “Seconds”.

Although Hudson was not known to the public, he was gay. He passed away in 1985 from complications from AIDS.

estate suit

After his death, the estate of Rock Hudson and his former personal secretary was sued by a former lover who had not been notified of the actor’s HIV status despite repeated inquiries about it. The former lover could not sue the Rock property for punitive damages because the actor had passed away. He eventually secured a $14.5 million judgment against a personal secretary who reportedly lied when asked about Rock’s condition.

The Rock Hudson estate valued at about $10 million, roughly $23 million today, was split between a charity and its former lover George Nader after his death. The lawsuit cannot be affected by any of these funds.

previous life

Rock Hudson was born as Roy Harold Scherer Jr. on November 17, 1925 in Winnetka, Illinois as the only child of auto mechanic Roy Sr. and housewife Catherine. He was of Swiss, German, Irish and English descent. During the Great Depression, Hudson’s father abandoned the family after losing his job. His mother later married Wallace Fitzgerald, whom Hudson loathed. In the end the marriage ended in divorce. For his education, Hudson went to New Terrier High School. There, he auditioned for school plays, but was unable to get any roles due to his failure to remember his lines. After his graduation, Hudson joined the United States Navy, serving in it until 1946.

career beginnings

In the late 1940s, Hudson moved to Los Angeles, California to live with his biological father. Working toward an acting career, Hudson took on a variety of solo jobs. Eventually, he became a client of talent scout Henry Willson, who was the one who changed the actor’s name to Rock Hudson.

The beginning of the film career

Hudson made his feature film debut with an uncredited part in the 1948 war film Fighter Squadron. He went on to sign with Universal, and appeared in the films “Undertow”, “One Way Street”, “Peggy” and “Winchester ’73” by Anthony Mann. Hudson subsequently had roles in “The Desert Hawk”, “Tomahawk”, “Air Cadet”, “The Fat Man”, “Bright Victory” and “Iron Man”. In 1952, he again met with director Anthony Mann in the western film “Bend of the River”. That same year, Hudson was in Scarlet Angel, Here Come the Nelsons, Horizons West, and Has Anybody Seen My Gal? Hudson had another big year in 1953, playing six films. First, it was in the West “The Lawless Breed” and “Seminole”. This was followed by the adventure films “Sea Devils” and “The Golden Blade”. Hudson ended the year with the western “Gun Fury” and the adventure movie “Back to God’s Country”.

stardom growing

Although he had already made a name for himself as a leading man in Hollywood, particularly in adventure films, Hudson made something of a breakthrough in 1954. That year, he starred in two films for Douglas Circus: the western “Taza, Son of Cochis” and the romantic melodrama “Magnificent Obsession” in which he appeared opposite Jane Wyman. He also starred in the war movie “Bengal Battalion”. In 1955, Hudson starred in two other circus pictures, “Captain Lightfoot” and “All That Heaven Allows,” as well as Jerry Hopper’s “One Desire.” The following year, he reunited with Hopper in “Never Say Goodbye” and with Sirk in “Written on the Wind”. Also in 1956, Hudson rose to a new level of popularity with his performance in the Western Giant epic, starring James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor. He received his first and only Academy Award nomination for the film. After that, Hudson starred in “Something of Value” and “Farewell to Arms”, as well as in the circus “Battle Hymn” and “Distorted Angels”.

At the end of the 1950s, Hudson starred in the adventure film “Twilight for the Gods”, the drama “This Earth is Mine” and the romantic comedy “Pillow Talk”, which were a huge success at the box office. In 1961, he starred in the half-heartedly received western “The Last Sunset”, and in the more successful romantic comedies “Come September” and “Lover Come Back”. Hudson’s subsequent credits were “The Spiral Road,” “Rather the Eagles,” and “Man’s Favorite Sport?” and “Send me no flowers.”

Film later career

Beginning with the critically acclaimed 1965 romantic comedy Strange Bedfellows, Hudson’s star has begun to dim. His other movie from that year, “A Very Special Favor,” was also a box office disappointment. Hudson bounced back in 1966 with his acclaimed performance in John Frankenheimer’s science fiction thriller “A Second,” in which he plays a man who chooses to completely change his appearance and identity so he can live a new life. After that, he was in “Blindfold”, “Tobruk”, “A Fine Pair”, “Ice Station Zebra” and “The Undefeated.” Hudson’s 1970s credits included “Darling Night,” “Live Hornets,” “Beautiful Maids All in a Row,” “Showdown,” and “Avalanche.” His last theatrical film credit was the 1984 political thriller The Ambassador.

TV career

On the small screen, Hudson’s most successful show was the police procedural series Macmillan and His Wife, which ran from 1971 to 1977. On the show, he played Police Commissioner Stuart “Mac” MacMillan opposite Susan St. James as his wife Sally. After the end of the series, Hudson appeared in the mini-series “Wheels” and “The Martian Chronicles”. In 1982, he starred in the short-lived NBC drama series The Devlin Connection. Hudson had his last television role from 1984 to 1985, playing Daniel Reese in the fifth season of the television series Dynasty.

Personal life and death

While it was a secret to the public, it was widely known in Hollywood that Hudson was gay. After Confidential magazine threatened to reveal his homosexuality, Hudson married secretary Phyllis Gates in 1955 to give him cover. The couple eventually separated in 1958. Reportedly, Hudson had relationships with several notable men, including authors Armstead Maupin and Tom Clark and actor and realtor Lee Garlington. He also dated Mark Christian, who won an emotional distress lawsuit against the Hudson estate after Hudson’s death.

In 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with HIV. He hid the disease from the public while still operating; He has also traveled internationally in hopes of finding a cure. After Hudson collapses in his hotel room in Paris, a publicist announces that the actor has liver cancer. However, just days later, a French publicist announced that Hudson did indeed have AIDS, making him among the first celebrities to be diagnosed with the disease. Hudson flew back to Los Angeles, and underwent treatment at UCLA Medical Center. He then returned to his home in Beverly Hills to take care of the elderly. In October 1985, Hudson died of AIDS-related complications. He was 59 years old. His diagnosis and success were important in increasing the visibility of the severely stigmatized disease, as well as in stimulating support for medical research on AIDS.