Net Worth Ranker
What Is Rock Hudson’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in October 1985, Rock Hudson, the celebrated American actor, had a net worth estimated at $10 million. Adjusting for inflation, this equates to approximately $23 million in today’s dollars. Hudson, born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois, in November 1925, amassed his fortune through a prolific acting career spanning several decades.
Rock Hudson’s Estate and Legal Battles
Following Hudson’s death, his estate became embroiled in a significant legal battle. A former lover sued the estate and Hudson’s personal secretary, alleging that he was not informed of Hudson’s HIV status despite repeated inquiries. While the former lover could not sue the estate for punitive damages due to Hudson’s death, he was ultimately awarded a $14.5 million judgment against the personal secretary. This judgment stemmed from allegations that the secretary had lied about Hudson’s condition. Rock Hudson’s estate, valued at roughly $10 million (approximately $23 million today), was ultimately divided between charity and former lover George Nader. It’s important to note that the lawsuit did not affect the distribution of Hudson’s estate.
Rock Hudson’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Roy Harold Scherer Jr. on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, Rock Hudson was the only child of auto mechanic Roy Sr. and homemaker Katherine. His ancestry included Swiss, German, Irish, and English roots. During the Great Depression, Hudson’s father abandoned the family after losing his job. His mother later remarried Wallace Fitzgerald, a relationship Hudson reportedly disliked, which ultimately ended in divorce. Hudson attended New Trier High School, where he auditioned for school plays but struggled to remember his lines, preventing him from landing any roles. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving until 1946. In the late 1940s, Hudson moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue an acting career, residing with his biological father. He took on various odd jobs to support himself while pursuing his dream. Eventually, he became a client of talent scout Henry Willson, who famously changed his name to Rock Hudson.
Rock Hudson’s Ascent to Stardom
Rock Hudson made his uncredited feature film debut in the 1948 war film “Fighter Squadron.” He subsequently signed with Universal and appeared in films such as “Undertow,” “One Way Street,” “Peggy,” and Anthony Mann’s “Winchester ’73.” Further roles followed in “The Desert Hawk,” “Tomahawk,” “Air Cadet,” “The Fat Man,” “Bright Victory,” and “Iron Man.” In 1952, he reunited with director Anthony Mann for the Western “Bend of the River.” The same year, Hudson appeared in “Scarlet Angel,” “Here Come the Nelsons,” “Horizons West,” and “Has Anybody Seen My Gal?,” the latter marking his first collaboration with director Douglas Sirk. The year 1953 was particularly prolific for Hudson, with starring roles in six films. These included the Westerns “The Lawless Breed” and “Seminole,” followed by the adventure films “Sea Devils” and “The Golden Blade.” He concluded the year with the Western “Gun Fury” and the adventure film “Back to God’s Country.”
While Hudson had established himself as a leading man in Hollywood, especially in adventure films, his career reached new heights in 1954. That year, he starred in two films directed by Douglas Sirk: the Western “Taza, Son of Cochise,” and the romantic melodrama “Magnificent Obsession,” opposite Jane Wyman. He also starred in the war film “Bengal Brigade.” In 1955, Hudson starred in two more Sirk productions, “Captain Lightfoot” and “All That Heaven Allows,” as well as Jerry Hopper’s “One Desire.” The following year, he reunited with Hopper on “Never Say Goodbye” and with Sirk on “Written on the Wind.” Also in 1956, Hudson achieved a new level of fame with his performance in the epic Western “Giant,” co-starring James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor. This role earned him his first and only Academy Award nomination. Following this, Hudson starred in “Something of Value” and “A Farewell to Arms,” as well as Sirk’s “Battle Hymn” and “The Tarnished Angels.” Towards 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 proved to be a major box-office success.
Rock Hudson’s Film Career in the 1960s and 1970s
In 1961, Rock Hudson starred in the Western “The Last Sunset,” which received a lukewarm reception, and the more successful romantic comedies “Come September” and “Lover Come Back.” Subsequent credits included “The Spiral Road,” “A Gathering of Eagles,” “Man’s Favorite Sport?,” and “Send Me No Flowers.” Starting with the poorly received 1965 romantic comedy “Strange Bedfellows,” Hudson’s popularity began to wane. His other film from that year, “A Very Special Favor,” was also a box-office disappointment. However, Hudson rebounded in 1966 with his acclaimed performance in John Frankenheimer’s science-fiction thriller “Seconds.” In this film, he played a man who chose to undergo a complete transformation of his appearance and identity to start a new life. Following this role, he appeared in “Blindfold,” “Tobruk,” “A Fine Pair,” “Ice Station Zebra,” and “The Undefeated.” Hudson’s film credits in the 1970s included “Darling Lil,” “Hornets’ Nest,” “Pretty Maids All in a Row,” “Showdown,” and “Avalanche.” His final theatrical film appearance was in the political thriller “The Ambassador,” released in 1984. During his extensive film career, Rock Hudson’s net worth accumulated through various avenues, including base salaries for his roles, profit-sharing agreements, and residuals from his films’ continued success in syndication and home video releases. Specific salary figures for individual films are not readily available in public records, but his consistent work in high-profile productions contributed significantly to his overall wealth.
Rock Hudson’s Television Ventures
On the small screen, Hudson’s most successful venture was the police procedural series “McMillan & Wife,” which aired from 1971 to 1977. In the show, he played police commissioner Stewart “Mac” McMillan alongside Susan Saint James, who played his wife, Sally. Following the conclusion of the series, 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 from 1984 to 1985, playing the recurring character Daniel Reece in the fifth season of the primetime soap opera “Dynasty.” While specific salary details for his television roles are not widely publicized, his involvement in these projects added to his overall income and Rock Hudson’s net worth.
Rock Hudson’s Personal Life and Legacy
While it was a closely guarded secret from the public, Rock Hudson’s homosexuality was widely known within Hollywood circles. After the magazine Confidential threatened to expose his sexual orientation, Hudson married secretary Phyllis Gates in 1955 in an attempt to provide cover. The couple eventually divorced in 1958. Hudson reportedly had affairs with numerous high-profile men, including authors Armistead Maupin and Tom Clark, as well as actor and stockbroker Lee Garlington. He also dated Marc Christian, who later won a lawsuit against Hudson’s estate for emotional distress following Hudson’s death. In 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with HIV. He kept his illness private while continuing to work and travel internationally in search of a cure. After collapsing in his hotel room in Paris, his publicist initially announced that he was suffering from liver cancer. However, days later, his French publicist revealed that Hudson actually had AIDS, making him one of the first celebrities to publicly disclose his diagnosis. After being flown back to Los Angeles, Hudson received treatment at the UCLA Medical Center. He later returned to his Beverly Hills home for hospice care. In October 1985, Hudson passed away from complications related to AIDS at the age of 59. His diagnosis and death were significant in raising awareness of the highly stigmatized disease and galvanizing support for AIDS medical research. His financial legacy, the approximately $10 million Rock Hudson’s net worth, was a testament to his successful career.
