By the time he died at 59 on October 2, 1985 as the most famous early casualty of the AIDS crisis, Rock Hudson had unwittingly become more than just a tragic victim of a horrible disease; he was also one of the first star actors of his generation to be outed as gay. It was something he zealously guarded by necessity in order to remain a star. It’s at the center of the HBO/Max film documentary “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed,” which paints a fascinating but bittersweet portrait of the film icon’s life in the closet. “It goes back to the ethics of the day,” believes the film’s director Stephen Kijak (pronounced “Kayak”). “One didn’t speak of those things.” But a code of silence also helped Hudson keep his secret across decades. “There was such goodwill around him,” he adds. “He was notoriously the nicest man in Hollywood.
- 5/31/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
“Commitment to Life,” a new documentary about the early days of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, will have its world premiere next month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Until then, Variety has the exclusive first look at the doc.
In the clip above, Elizabeth Taylor is featured speaking at the first Commitment to Life gala in 1985. It was the first major fundraiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles (Apla).
“All we can do at this point is help our friends who have AIDS and the only way can do that is by doing what you’re doing by giving — giving by support, money and love,” the late Hollywood legend said before a packed audience. The event also included appearances by Cher, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Burnett, Burt Reynolds, Cindy Lauper, Rod Stewart and Jane Seymour.
“That evening was amazing because all of these big...
In the clip above, Elizabeth Taylor is featured speaking at the first Commitment to Life gala in 1985. It was the first major fundraiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles (Apla).
“All we can do at this point is help our friends who have AIDS and the only way can do that is by doing what you’re doing by giving — giving by support, money and love,” the late Hollywood legend said before a packed audience. The event also included appearances by Cher, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Burnett, Burt Reynolds, Cindy Lauper, Rod Stewart and Jane Seymour.
“That evening was amazing because all of these big...
- 1/20/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
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