Hudson was the first major celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness, on October 2, 1985, at age 59. The following year, he became one of the first celebrities to disclose his AIDS diagnosis. Īlthough discreet regarding his sexual orientation, it was a known fact amongst Hudson's colleagues in the film industry that he was a gay man. His last role was as a guest star on the fifth season (1984–1985) of the primetime ABC soap opera Dynasty, until AIDS-related illness made it impossible for him to continue. Unhappy with the film scripts he was offered, Hudson turned to television and was a hit, starring in the popular mystery series McMillan & Wife (1971–1977). During the late 1960s, his films included Seconds (1966), Tobruk (1967), and Ice Station Zebra (1968). Hudson also found continued success with a string of romantic comedies co-starring Doris Day: Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961), and Send Me No Flowers (1964). A prominent heartthrob in the Golden Age of Hollywood, he achieved stardom with his role in Magnificent Obsession (1954), followed by All That Heaven Allows (1955), and Giant (1956), for which he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

One of the most popular movie stars of his time, he had a screen career spanning more than three decades. Novem– October 2, 1985) was an American actor.