Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985) was an American actor.
He was a prominent leading man in The Golden Age of Hollywood, achieving stardom during The '50s and The '60s in films such as Magnificent Obsession (1954), All That Heaven Allows (1955), Giant (1956) note and a string of romantic comedies co-starring Doris Day in Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me No Flowers (1964). After appearing in action films including Tobruk (1967) and Ice Station Zebra (1968) during the late 1960s, he would later began a second career in television through The '70s and The '80s, starring in the popular mystery series McMillan & Wife. With his striking good looks, tall, sculpted frame and deep, resonant voice along with his effortless charisma, he quickly became one of the most popular leading men of his era.
Discreet about his private life throughout his career, Hudson was gay, which was well known in Hollywood by several colleagues. He died from AIDS-related complications in 1985, becoming the first major celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness and making the disease rise to international conversation.
Rock Hudson films with pages on TV Tropes:
- Winchester '73 (1950)
- The Fat Man (1951)
- Bend of the River (1952)
- Gun Fury (1953)
- Magnificent Obsession (1954)
- All That Heaven Allows (1956)
- Giant (1956)
- Written on the Wind (1956)
- A Farewell to Arms (1957)
- Pillow Talk (1959)
- The Last Sunset (1961)
- Lover Come Back (1961)
- Mans Favorite Sport (1964)
- Strange Bedfellows (1965)
- Blindfold (1966)
- Seconds (1966)
- Tobruk (1967)
- A Fine Pair (1968)
- Ice Station Zebra (1968)
- The Undefeated (1969)
- Darling Lili (1970)
- Hornets' Nest (1970)
- Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971)
- Avalanche (1978)
- The Martian Chronicles (1980)
- The Mirror Crack'd (1980)
Rock Hudson TV series with pages on TV Tropes:
- McMillan & Wife (1971–76)
- Dynasty (1984–85)
Tropes associated with this actor's work in general include:
- Mr. Fanservice: Directors just loved giving him shirtless scenes to show off his sculpted physique and even when fully clothed, his natural sex appeal was always on display.
- Silver Fox: He remained very handsome and distinguished looking well into his fifties.
- The Comically Serious: Hudson was initially nervous about making the switch from serious romances to romantic comedies, but was reassured that playing his lines absolutely straight would only heighten the comedy, and the result was a series of comic hits.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: At 6'5 with dark hair and rugged good looks, Rock was definitely this.
- Tall, Dark, and Snarky: He stood at a towering 6'5 with dark hair and a master of delivering quips and one-liners.
