WAS IT REALLY SUCH A SECRET
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metalman091 — 19 years ago(June 06, 2006 07:21 PM)
It was a well kept secret. The incident with Jim Nabors, well some said it happened and others say it was a joke. The public went with the idea that it was false. People assumed that Hudson married his agents secretary because he loved her, in any case it makes him seem more modest that he would marry a woman like that. It made it look like true love instead of him marrying a celebrity. Hudson's closest friends knew he was gay, but there were some who didn't know, Tony Randall for one I think said he never knew. Even Doris Day is quoted as saying she never knew if he was gay. That said, I think that even some of the public knew. My father for one reckons that he knew Hudson was gay in the 1960's. When Hudson came out shortly before he died it was a major shock.
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deborahwakid11 — 19 years ago(June 07, 2006 11:06 AM)
Hi, Metalman:
I know my mom was not surprised when the truth came out for sure. Number one, there was that rumor about him and Jim Neighbors. It made me laugh seeing an old movie magazine with Jim and one of Danny Thomas' daughters (not Marlo) out on a date. Of course, I don't know if I totally believed the story, but I think my mom did.
Whether it actually happened or not, is anyone's guess. Only one of the two is still living, and I doubt he will tell. However, when the truth of Hudson came out for sure, no one in my household was shocked, put it that way.
As for Tony Randall not knowing, I'm not sure that he and his first wife moved with the closest Hollywood circles. In fact, I think he spent most of his life in New York, when not filming in Hollywood; so, it does not surprise me that he didn't know. There were probably others in Hollywood who didn't know, either.
However, it does surprise me a little bit about Doris Day. I think I remember her saying in other interviews that she did know. I could be mistaken. Go figure. Perhaps she was just keeping a confidence.
Take care.
Deborah -
Andr8 — 19 years ago(June 09, 2006 06:44 AM)
According to conversations with other gay actors in Hollywood Gays by Boze Hadleigh, Tony Randall was a closeted gay man who talked about how much he loved his wife just to cover for it. This would explain why he would claim he did not know that Rock Hudson was gay.
However, Boze Hadleigh tends to publish "interviews" from people after they are dead and can't refute it. I don't know if he has ever published a book when the subject is still alive. Hollywood Gays is a fun read, especially the "interview" with Cesar Romero, but all of the book is probably hogwash. -
dennyben — 19 years ago(June 10, 2006 08:14 PM)
I think Rock's sexuality was an open secret in Hollywood. Debbie Reynolds said she fell about laughing when she heard Rock was getting married. Tony Curtis says everyone in Hollywood knew there was something strange about that marriage.
The marriage was prompted by an article in Life Magazine which hinted Rock was gay and questioned why he wasn't married. There had been such stories before in magazines like "Confidential" but a story in Life had to be taken seriously because it was read by middle America.
When Rock became a major star, his agent Henry Willson, told Rock it was too risky to be seen in gay bars so they struck a deal. It was written into Rock's contract that one of the men under contract to Willson would be given a bit part in each of Rock's films on the understanding that they would make themselves sexually available to Rock. The men were usually young and blonde and were credited under Willson sounding names such as Rad Fulton or Troy Donahue etc.
So Rock's sexuality in Hollywood was certainly no secret.
Incidentally, Phyllis Gates, Rock's "wife" was a lesbian so their marriage would probably have to go down as the biggest practical joke ever played on middle America. -
Shearer_Goddard_Russell — 19 years ago(June 12, 2006 04:11 AM)
I agree, dennyben. I think most people in Hollywood (especially studio heads and producers, etc) were aware of Rock's orientation. As long as he kept his "image," though, they were okay with it.
P.S. Retro-Lady, I love your sig!!!
Jackie: Curfew is your parents' way of saying, 'I love you.'
Becky: I curfew, Darlene. -
tross20883 — 19 years ago(June 29, 2006 03:07 PM)
According to her comment when interviewed right after he passed away was - "no, not really", she said everyone always hears gossip but she didn't hear it from him and certainly she couldn'111ct tell. I think she is also quoted in his book (sara davison's).
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metalman091 — 18 years ago(April 04, 2008 09:22 PM)
I would say it was a secret and it also wasn't. For example when Hudson worked with John Wayne the subject of Hudson's sexuality came up and Wayne supposedly said "I don't care what he does in the bedroom, he is a good chess player and a good actor". The same with Susan Saint James who heard rumours but never believed them.
So it would have been in three parts, those who knew, those who heard about it and those who didn't know.