Interviews with Mr. Hudson, his letters, photographs, documents, and friends' reflections convey the story of his life and career.

Draws on dozens of insider interviews in a portrait of the iconic Oscar nominee that discusses his traumatic childhood, sexual orientation and awareness-raising battle with AIDS. The icon worshiped by moviegoers and beloved by his colleagues appeared to have it all. Yet beneath the suave and commanding star persona, there was an insecure, deeply conflicted, and all too vulnerable human being. Growing up poor in Winnetka, Illinois, Hudson was abandoned...