Marc Christian, the man who sued Rock Hudson’s estate for knowingly exposing him to AIDS, died of pulmonary problems in 2009 at the age of 56. He was a former actor who had a tumultuous relationship with the Hollywood star in the 1980s. Here is his story and how he met his tragic end.
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Who was Marc Christian?
Marc Christian was born as Marc Christian MacGinnis on June 23, 1953 in Hollywood, California. He was the son of a stockbroker and a model. He had a sister, Susan Dahl, who later became his sole survivor. He attended Beverly Hills High School and studied drama at UCLA. He also served in the Navy for four years.
He pursued an acting career and appeared in some low-budget films such as Deadly Addiction (1989), Trent & Tilly (2012) and Rock Hudson’s Home Movies (1992). He also worked as a waiter, a bartender and a caterer to make ends meet.
How did he meet Rock Hudson?
He met Rock Hudson, one of the most popular and handsome actors of his time, in 1982 at a party in Los Angeles. Hudson was 27 years older than him and had been secretly gay for most of his life. He had been married to Phyllis Gates, a secretary of his agent, from 1955 to 1958, but the marriage was a sham to hide his sexuality.
Hudson and Christian soon became lovers and moved in together in Hudson’s Beverly Hills mansion. They had a passionate but stormy relationship, marked by jealousy, arguments and infidelity. Christian later claimed that Hudson was abusive and violent towards him.
How did he find out about Hudson’s AIDS diagnosis?
Hudson was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984, but he kept it a secret from Christian and the public. He continued to have unprotected sex with Christian, putting him at risk of contracting the disease. He also lied to him about his health condition, saying that he was anorexic or dieting.
Christian said he learned the truth about Hudson’s AIDS diagnosis from a television broadcast in July 1985, when Hudson announced it to the world from a hospital in Paris. He said he felt betrayed, angry and terrified. He immediately got tested for AIDS several times, but the results were negative.
How did he sue Hudson’s estate?
Hudson died of AIDS-related complications on October 2, 1985 at the age of 59. He left most of his estate, estimated at $27 million, to his secretary and close friend Mark Miller. He left nothing to Christian.
Christian decided to sue Hudson’s estate and Miller for $10 million, alleging that they had committed fraud, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress by concealing Hudson’s AIDS diagnosis from him. He hired Marvin Mitchelson, a famous palimony lawyer who had represented many celebrities in divorce cases.
He said he wanted compensation for his medical expenses, lost income and mental anguish. He also said he wanted to raise awareness about the importance of disclosing one’s HIV status to one’s sexual partners.
The trial began in 1989 and lasted for three months. It was a sensational case that attracted media attention and public interest. It was also a controversial case that divided opinions among the gay community and the general public.
Some people supported Christian and saw him as a victim of Hudson’s deception and recklessness. They argued that he had suffered a great deal of trauma and deserved justice and compensation.
Others criticized Christian and accused him of being a gold-digger who exploited Hudson’s fame and fortune. They argued that he had consented to have sex with Hudson and that he had not contracted AIDS himself.
The jury sided with Christian and awarded him $21.75 million in damages, one of the largest verdicts in history at that time. The judge later reduced the amount to $5.5 million, saying that it was excessive and unreasonable.
The verdict was upheld by an appellate court, which called it “just compensation for the ultimate in personal horror, the fear of slow, agonizing death.” The California Supreme Court declined to review the case.
In 1991, Christian settled out of court with Hudson’s estate for an undisclosed sum, reportedly less than $6 million. He said he wanted to end the legal battle and move on with his life.
How did he live after the lawsuit?
Christian tried to resume his acting career after the lawsuit, but he found it difficult to get roles. He said he faced discrimination and hostility from some people in Hollywood who resented him for suing Hudson’s estate.
He also struggled with depression, anxiety and substance abuse. He said he felt lonely and isolated from his family and friends. He said he lived in fear of contracting AIDS or being attacked by Hudson’s fans.
He had a few relationships, but none of them lasted long. He said he had trouble trusting people and opening up to them. He said he never found true love again.
He spent most of his time in his home in Burbank, California, surrounded by his dogs and cats. He also collected memorabilia from Hudson’s movies and personal belongings. He said he still loved Hudson and missed him.
How did he die?
He died on June 2, 2009 at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. He was 56 years old. The cause of death was pulmonary problems, according to his sister Susan Dahl.
She said he had been a heavy smoker for years and had developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. She said he had been hospitalized several times before his death.
She also said he had tested negative for AIDS until the end of his life. She said he had been lucky to escape the disease that killed Hudson and many others.
She did not announce his death publicly until December 2009, citing his wish for privacy. She said he had been a private person who did not like the spotlight.
She said he had been a kind, generous and compassionate person who had been misunderstood and maligned by some people. She said he had been a loving brother and a loyal friend.
She said he had been a survivor who had overcome many challenges and hardships in his life. She said he had been a brave man who had fought for his rights and dignity.
She said he had been a human being who had made mistakes and had regrets, but who had also done good things and had touched many lives.
She said he had been her brother and she loved him.
