Rock Hudson - ©Theda Bara

The actor I bring in this post is the American Rock Hudson. Although he was widely acclaimed as a heartthrob in the 1950s and 1960s, often starring in romantic comedies alongside the excellent actress Doris Day (1922-2019), Hudson is also recognized for dramatic roles in films such as: “Magnificent Obsession” (1954) , receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, which he lost to his compatriot Marlon Brando, in (1955) and for “Giant” in 1956, losing the statuette once again, this time to Russian actor Yul Brynner (1920-1985), in (1957).

Rock Hudson was a four-time Golden Globe winner (1959, 1960, 1961 and 1963), but never received an Oscar. 

The actor has his star on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame, at Hollywood Boulevard: 6116, Cinema category.

Born Roy Harold Scherer Jr., on November 17, 1925, Winnetka, Illinois, United States, Rock Hudson died on October 2, 1985, in Beverly Hills, California, United States, one month before his 60th birthday.

Rock Hudson was one of the greatest actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood, making a legion of women around the world “sigh”. However, the actor maintained a false marriage with American secretary and interior decorator Phyllis Lucille Gates (1925-2006), from 1955 to 1958, from whom he separated after 3 years together, with Hudson admitting his homosexuality. On July 25, 1985, the actor's agent confirmed that Rock Hudson had contracted AIDS, having been diagnosed with the disease more than a year ago. The actor was one of the first Hollywood heartthrobs to die from complications from HIV.

Anna May Wong - ©Theda Bara

This name that I present is that of the American actress Anna May Wong [黃柳霜], the first great star of Asian descent in Hollywood to be revered worldwide.

Anna May was interested in the film industry at a very young age. She acted in silent films and early talking films. An atypical figure by American and European standards, she became a fashion icon and achieved stardom and international recognition in 1924. However, frustrated with the stereotypes relegated to her supporting characters, she left the Hollywood industry for Europe in the end of the 1920s.

Already in Europe, she starred in her first major role, in the 1929 film “Piccadilly”, a fact that guaranteed her return to Hollywood. However, this return left her extremely disappointed and discouraged, because in 1935, the actress revolted with the directors of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who did not give her the lead role in the film “The Good Earth”. The protagonist of the plot turned out to be the actress Luise Rainer, who used makeup to look Asian. Anna May signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, but nothing has changed, she continues to act in small roles of Asian characters.

Finally in 1951, Anna May Wong competed for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but lost the statuette to the American actress Celeste Holm (1917-2012). Once again disappointed, Anna went to live in Germany, becoming an inseparable friend of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003). His friendships with several women, including famous actresses Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) and Cecil Cunningham (1888-1959), sparked rumors that Anna May was a lesbian, which damaged her public image. This alleged relationship with Marlene Dietrich so embarrassed her family that they broke off relations with Anna. By the way, being an actress for the Chinese, at the time, was not considered a respectable profession.

Anna May Wong has a star on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street, in the Film category.

Anna was scheduled to act in the film “Flower Drum Song”, but on February 3, 1961, she had a massive heart attack in her sleep, at her home in Santa Monica, two days before filming began. Born January 3, 1905, in Los Angeles, California, United States, she was cremated exactly one month after her 56th birthday and her ashes were interred next to her mother's grave at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Anna May Wong died unmarried, but it was never clear if she was actually a lesbian.

Pedro Almodóvar - ©Theda Bara

This name I present is that of a highly awarded film-maker, winner of two Oscars. Pedro Almodóvar Caballero, Spanish film-maker, who also acted as an actor, composer, director and screenwriter of fiction films. He is the most famous Spanish director since Luis Buñuel and Carlos Saura.

“Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios” (1988), the filmmaker’s first major success, establishing his international acclaim. But, it was not with this film that the dreamed Oscar happened. Almodóvar won his first Oscar Best International Film 12 years later, in 2000, with the film: “Todo Sobre Mi Madre”, from 1999; and in 2003, with the Best Original Screenplay, for the film: “Hable Con Ella”, from 2002.

The film-maker’s films are always marked by family melodrama, irreverence and sarcasm, in settings with bold colors and decorations, and scripts with quotes from the narratives of personal and family relationships. Among the most frequent themes in his films: desire, passion, family and sexuality.

Almodóvar was born in Calzada de Calatrava, Spain, on September 25, 1949.

Openly homosexual, Pedro Almodóvar has lived with photographer and former basketball player Fernando Iglesias (1968-), since 2002.