Rock Hudson: History of the Hollywood Closet (feat. Alonso Duralde)

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ROCK. HUDSON. The name itself kind of gives your fanny the flutters, doesn't it?

Although, if you haven't heard of Rock, you would be forgiven, as he's one of those mid-20th century celebrities who's been almost entirely forgotten today.

But back in the 50s and 60s, he was a major heartthrob and a household name.

Rock was one of the lucky Hollywood actors who worked his way up through the studio contract system after World War II – despite having zero acting training and a famous inability to remember lines.

He was, however, extremely hot, and many have (rightly) seen that as a talent of its own.

A Navy vet, Rock arrived fresh off the bus in Los Angeles around 1946, met some gay guys, got recruited by a scuzzy (also gay) agent, and the rest...was gay history.

Extremely closeted history, however. Because while Rock's penchant for peen was no secret to the industry, his studio, agent, and inner circle rigorously managed his heterosexual image to "protect" his lucrative career. This gambit worked, and eventually landed him roles opposite the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, and Jimmy Dean.

But the question is: how much did Rock himself resent this closet?