Rock Hudson Net Worth - Pulptastic

What was Rock Hudson’s Net Worth?

Rock Hudson, the American actor, had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 1985, which is equivalent to $23 million today after adjusting for inflation.

Hudson was born in Winnetka, Illinois in 1925 and passed away in October 1985. He appeared in 75 films during his career and was one of the most popular movie stars of his generation. Some of his notable credits include “Magnificent Obsession,” “All That Heaven Allows,” “Giant,” “Pillow Talk,” “Send Me No Flowers,” and “Seconds.”

Despite not being publicly known, Hudson was gay and died due to complications from AIDS in 1985.

Lawsuit and Estate Distribution

After Rock Hudson’s death, a former lover sued his estate and personal secretary for not informing him of the actor’s HIV status. However, punitive damages could not be sought as the actor had passed away. The former lover was awarded a $14.5 million judgment against the personal secretary.

Rock Hudson’s estate, valued at $10 million at the time of his death, was split between charity and former lover George Nader. This money was not affected by the lawsuit.

Early Life and Education

Rock Hudson, originally named Roy Harold Scherer Jr., was born on November 17, 1925 in Winnetka, Illinois. He was the only child of auto mechanic Roy Sr. and homemaker Katherine. Hudson was of Swiss, German, Irish, and English descent. His father left the family during the Great Depression after losing his job. Hudson’s mother later remarried Wallace Fitzgerald, whom he did not get along with, and the marriage ended in divorce. Hudson attended New Trier High School, where he auditioned for school plays but failed to land any roles due to his inability to remember his lines. After graduation, Hudson enlisted in the US Navy and served until 1946.

Early Life and Career

Rock Hudson moved to Los Angeles in the late 1940s to live with his biological father and pursue an acting career. He took on a variety of odd jobs before becoming a client of talent scout Henry Willson, who changed his name to Rock Hudson.

Early Film Career

Rock Hudson made his feature film debut in 1948’s “Fighter Squadron.” He signed with Universal and appeared in several films, including “Undertow,” “One Way Street,” “Peggy,” and Anthony Mann’s “Winchester ’73.” In 1952, he reunited with Mann for the Western “Bend of the River” and also starred in “Scarlet Angel,” “Here Come the Nelsons,” “Horizons West,” and “Has Anybody Seen My Gal?,” directed by Douglas Sirk. In 1953, he starred in six films, including “The Lawless Breed,” “Seminole,” “Sea Devils,” “The Golden Blade,” “Gun Fury,” and “Back to God’s Country.”

Rock Hudson’s Film Career

In the 1950s, Rock Hudson made a name for himself as a Hollywood leading man in adventure films. He had a breakthrough year in 1954 when he starred in two films by Douglas Sirk: the Western “Taza, Son of Cochise” and the romantic melodrama “Magnificent Obsession.” He also starred in the war film “Bengal Brigade.” Hudson continued to work with Sirk and starred in two more of his films in 1955, “Captain Lightfoot” and “All That Heaven Allows.” He also appeared in Jerry Hopper’s “One Desire.”

Hudson’s popularity rose in 1956 with his performance in the epic Western “Giant,” earning him his only Academy Award nomination. He continued to act in films such as “Something of Value” and “A Farewell to Arms,” as well as Sirk’s “Battle Hymn” and “The Tarnished Angels.”

In the late 1950s, Hudson starred in “Twilight for the Gods,” “This Earth is Mine,” and the box-office hit romantic comedy “Pillow Talk.” In 1961, he appeared in the Western “The Last Sunset” and successful romantic comedies “Come September” and “Lover Come Back.” Hudson’s later credits include “The Spiral Road,” “A Gathering of Eagles,” “Man’s Favorite Sport?,” and “Send Me No Flowers.”

Rock Hudson’s Film Career

Rock Hudson’s star began to dim after the poorly received 1965 romantic comedy “Strange Bedfellows” and “A Very Special Favor.” However, he bounced back in 1966 with his acclaimed performance in John Frankenheimer’s science-fiction thriller “Seconds.”

Following “Seconds,” Hudson appeared in several films including “Blindfold,” “Tobruk,” “A Fine Pair,” “Ice Station Zebra,” and “The Undefeated.” In the 70s, he starred in “Darling Lil,” “Hornets’ Nest,” “Pretty Maids All in a Row,” “Showdown,” and “Avalanche.”

Hudson’s final theatrical film credit was the political thriller “The Ambassador,” which was released in 1984.

Rock Hudson’s Television Career

Rock Hudson’s most successful television show was “McMillan & Wife,” a police procedural series that aired from 1971 to 1977. He played police commissioner Stewart “Mac” McMillan alongside Susan Saint James as his wife Sally. After the show ended, Hudson appeared in the miniseries “Wheels” and “The Martian Chronicles.” In 1982, he starred in the short-lived NBC crime drama series “The Devlin Connection.” Hudson’s final television role was playing Daniel Reece in the fifth season of the primetime soap opera “Dynasty” from 1984 to 1985.

Rock Hudson’s Secret Life and AIDS Diagnosis

Despite being a Hollywood heartthrob, Rock Hudson’s homosexuality was widely known in the industry, and he married his secretary Phyllis Gates to conceal it. He had affairs with high-profile men, including Armistead Maupin, Tom Clark, and Lee Garlington, and dated Marc Christian, who won a lawsuit against Hudson’s estate after his death.

In 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with HIV but kept it hidden from the public while seeking treatment. When he collapsed in Paris, his publicist initially announced he had liver cancer, but it was later revealed that he had AIDS. Hudson underwent treatment at UCLA Medical Center before returning home for hospice care. He died in 1985 at the age of 59, raising awareness of the disease and catalyzing support for medical research.

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