"At the 1949 Press Photographer's Ball in front of Ciro's Restaurant, Hudson posed alongside fellow up-and-coming starlet Vera-Ellen wearing nothing but gold paint and underpants. The famous physique that would become Hollywood's magnificent obsession by the mid-50s could be seen in some truly uncomfortable-looking, probably not very skin safe makeup ahead of the award ceremony."
"The "Mr. and Mrs. Oscar" stunt was masterminded by Hudson's agent at the time, a closeted gay man named Henry Wilson who grew famous for picking beefcakes out of obscurity and finding them work in the movies. In 1949, Rock was still Wilson's most promising client."
In 1949, Rock Hudson, then a relatively unknown bit player at Universal-International Studios, participated in an unusual publicity stunt at the Hollywood Press Photographers Ball held at Ciro's Restaurant. Hudson posed alongside actress Vera-Ellen, both painted gold and dressed as life-size Oscar statuettes. The stunt was orchestrated by Hudson's agent, Henry Wilson, a closeted gay man known for discovering and promoting attractive male actors. Wilson was instrumental in launching Hudson's career and would later represent other handsome actors like Tab Hunter. This bizarre promotional event occurred before Hudson achieved major stardom in the 1950s, when he would become one of Hollywood's most celebrated leading men.
Read at Queerty
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