A brief blow by blow of a lavender marriage in 20th century Hollywood.
In 1954, a petite brunette Phyllis Gates met the tall, dark and handsome Rock Hudson when Rock walked into the office of his agent Henry Willson.
Drinks, dinner and a budding romance followed. All leaked to the Hollywood Reporter’s Mike Connolly.
In early 1955, Gates moved into Rock’s house above Sunset Blvd. Living with Gates normalized Hudson’s reputation in Hollywood.
At the time, Rock’s career was soaring, but, he was struggling to keep his private life private.
Fans were urging the 29 year old bachelor to get married, or explain why not.
In November 1955, Phyllis Gates accepted Rock’s surprise marriage proposal.
The couple settled into married life. The fan magazines ate it up.
Cracks appeared in the marriage. Gates started fielding phone calls from young men. Rock dismissed the calls as “fans”.
Gates, depressed and alone, filed for divorce in April 1958. Hudson did not contest. Gates received $250. a week in alimony for 10 years.
—-Rock became a superstar——A great romantic leading man. Rumors persisted. Rock had cover: his 3 year marriage of inconvenience.
