Rock Hudson was an American actor born on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois. He became one of Hollywood's leading men in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his roles in romantic comedies and dramas. Some of his most famous films include Giant, Pillow Talk, and All That Heaven Allows. Hudson was also notable for being one of the first major celebrities to publicly disclose his battle with AIDS in the 1980s, which helped raise awareness about the disease. He passed away on October 2, 1985, leaving a lasting impact on both film and public health advocacy.