WAS IT REALLY SUCH A SECRET
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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.