Hollywood’s Secret Lives: Exploring the Hidden Sexualities of Classic Cinema Icons
Hollywood’s Golden Age is often remembered for its glamorous stars, iconic films, and larger-than-life personalities. However, beneath the surface of this glitz and glamour lay a hidden reality: the true sexualities of many of its most beloved stars. For decades, these personal truths were carefully concealed to maintain the pristine public images constructed by the studios. This article delves into the hidden lives of several classic cinema icons, exploring their relationships, struggles, and the lengths to which they went to keep their true selves a secret.
Katherine Hepburn: Behind the Studio’s Veil
Katherine Hepburn, an iconic Hollywood actress and Academy Award winner, was known for her powerful performances in films such as “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “The Lion in Winter,” and “On Golden Pond.” However, behind the scenes, Hepburn’s personal life was far from the carefully curated image presented by her studio.
According to Scotty Bowers, a former “pimp” and author of “Full Service,” Hepburn had an insatiable appetite for women. Bowers claimed that Hepburn often requested his assistance in finding young, dark-haired women, specifying that they should not be too heavily made-up. Over five decades, Bowers and Hepburn developed a close friendship, with Bowers claiming to have procured over 150 women for the actress. Despite this, Hepburn’s studio maintained a narrative of a romantic relationship between her and fellow co-star Spencer Tracy. Screenwriter and gay rights activist Larry Kramer asserted that both Hepburn and Tracy were homosexual, and their supposed relationship was a facade orchestrated by the studio.
Rock Hudson: Heartthrob with a Hidden Truth
Rock Hudson, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, kept his homosexuality a secret for most of his life, thanks to his agent, Henry Wilson. Hudson’s relationships were carefully concealed, and when Confidential magazine threatened to expose his sexuality, Wilson protected Hudson by sacrificing another client, Tab Hunter.
Hudson was even married to his secretary, Phyllis Gates, for three years to quash rumors. However, in 1984, Hudson was diagnosed with HIV, and despite Wilson’s efforts to keep it under wraps, the news became public. Hudson became the first celebrity to have AIDS and passed away the following year, bringing his hidden life into the spotlight.
Marlene Dietrich: Defying Gender Norms
Marlene Dietrich, a product of early 20th-century Germany’s arts-centric Weimar culture, was renowned for her fearless approach to life and her unapologetic sexuality. Known for her masculine dress sense, Dietrich regularly wore pants and tuxedos, changing the perception of women’s fashion forever. She openly loved both men and women, having relationships with Kay Francis, Edith Piaf, Mercedes de Acosta, and Greta Garbo.
Dietrich’s daughter, Maria Riva, revealed in a 1992 tell-all book that her mother’s affairs with women were much more satisfying for her, despite maintaining a marriage to film producer Rudolf Sieber. Critics, however, hesitated to label Dietrich as bisexual, with film critic Kenneth Tynan remarking that she had “sex without gender.”
Greta Garbo: The Enigmatic Beauty
Greta Garbo, once considered the most beautiful woman in the world, was known for her need for privacy and her complex sexuality. Writer Diana McLellan uncovered Garbo’s passionate relationships with women, including actress Mimi Pollack and writer Mercedes da Costa, in her book. Evidence suggested Garbo also had a relationship with Marlene Dietrich when Garbo was 19.
Garbo’s publicized attachment to John Gilbert was one of her few known relationships with men, but her love letters and private life painted a different picture, highlighting her preference for relationships with women.
Cesar Romero: The Joker’s Hidden Life
Cuban-American actor Cesar Romero, best known for his role as The Joker in the original Batman film, was openly gay among his friends and colleagues. Despite his openness within the industry, Romero kept his sexuality a secret from the public throughout his career. He starred alongside notable actresses such as Marlene Dietrich and Carole Lombard, and his close friendship with Joan Crawford was well-known.
Romero’s ability to balance his private and public personas allowed him to maintain a successful career in Hollywood while living authentically within his personal life.
Cary Grant: Hollywood’s Bisexual Star
Cary Grant, a Hollywood heartthrob, had relationships with both men and women, according to the documentary “Women He’s Undressed.” Grant’s long-term relationship with Australian costume designer Orry-Kelly was marked by both passion and conflict. Forced to repress his sexuality due to Hollywood’s homophobic studio system, Grant’s relationship with Kelly sometimes turned abusive.
Despite the pressures, Grant’s bisexuality and his relationships were a significant part of his life, influencing his interactions and personal struggles within the Hollywood landscape.
Tab Hunter: The Struggle for Acceptance
Discovered at age 17, Tab Hunter was known more for his looks than his acting ability. To maintain his popularity among young female fans, Hunter kept his sexuality a secret. He felt isolated, caught between casual homophobia and the flagrantly gay Hollywood subculture. After being arrested at a gay party in 1950, his agent later leaked this information to protect Rock Hudson from an exposé.
Hunter’s long-term relationship with Anthony Perkins was a defining part of his life, revealed in his 2005 memoir, “Tab Hunter Confidential.”
Ramon Novarro: A Tragic End
Mexican-American actor Ramon Novarro, once a rival to Rudolph Valentino, struggled with his homosexuality due to his Roman Catholic upbringing. After his contract with MGM ended, Novarro found it difficult to secure roles. His relationships with men, including journalist Herbert Howe, were part of his private life.
Tragically, Novarro was murdered in 1968 by two brothers who offered sex in exchange for money. His death sensationalized his sexuality, overshadowing his film legacy for younger audiences.
Patsy Kelly: Hollywood’s Open Secret
Patsy Kelly, known for her roles in 1930s comedies, was openly gay during her career. She lived with her girlfriend and had a relationship with actress Tallulah Bankhead. Kelly’s openness likely affected her career, relegating her to supporting roles, but she remains a cult classic icon.
Ruby Dandridge: Overcoming the Shadows
Although not as well-known as her daughter Dorothy Dandridge, Ruby Dandridge had a significant presence in Hollywood. She appeared in major films such as “King Kong” and “Cabin in the Sky,” often uncredited. Ruby left her husband and lived with Geneva Williams, who was described as her “lifelong companion.” Williams helped raise Ruby’s daughters while she pursued her acting career after moving to Los Angeles in 1929.
The lives of these Hollywood icons reveal a complex web of hidden truths and carefully constructed facades. Despite the oppressive social norms of their time, many of these stars found ways to express their true selves, even if only behind closed doors. Their stories highlight the challenges and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals in an era that demanded conformity, leaving behind a legacy of courage and authenticity that continues to inspire.