Talent agent Henry Willson, who is portrayed in Netflix's new show 'Hollywood,' was once a real person. The once a hit agent succumbed to his demons and suffered from a tragic fate.
Ryan Murphy's newest show is a reimagining of what post-World War II Hollywood would have been like if other folks of color and queer folks got the similar alternatives as immediately white other folks. The display, actually titled Hollywood, introduces viewers to real-life characters reminiscent of movie stars Rock Hudson (played by means of Jack Picking) and Vivien Leigh (Katie McGuinness). One particular character persons are fascinated by is Henry Willson, a Hollywood ability agent.
Was Henry Willson real?
Henry Willson (portrayed through Jim Parsons) used to be, in fact, real, and he had a actually wild, unhappy story. Before managing famous actors like Lana Turner, Guy Madison, Robert Wagner, and Rory Calhoun, Henry started out as a gossip columnist for Variety mag and additionally wrote for Photoplay. He moved directly to writing for The Hollywood Reporter and New Movie Magazine ahead of he ultimately started working as a junior agent for the Joyce & Polimer Agency and then Zeppo Marx. Years later, he started up his personal ability company, the place he was once very a success — for awhile.
Henry, on the proper
In Hollywood, we be told that Henry had super unethical techniques of "helping" his clients. He used to be identified for appearing up at gay bars in Hollywood and scouting for attractive younger males who he thought would possibly have doable for stardom. Hollywood displays him being manipulative to budding actors and pushing them into sexual relationships in exchange for reputation and success. Rumor has it, he additionally had connections to the mafia.
Henry was once known for covering up controversies and bad press by distracting newshounds with Red Herrings, like the use of different actors' secrets and grimy laundry with the intention to sway the media's consideration clear of something extra damaging. When actor Rock Hudson's profession hit a snag when other people found out he used to be a closeted gay guy, Henry sold actor Rory Calhoun's secrets and techniques. Rory was a former consumer of Henry's — and Henry knew that Rory had spent some time in prison.
All of this resulted in his downfall when his tendency for taking over mostly gay males as shoppers (he also represented instantly males and girls, too), folks stopped hiring him. It was also found out that Henry himself was gay, and this, sadly, damaged his reputation much more.
The real Rock Hudson
After Henry misplaced extra and extra trade, his wealth and magnitude in the Hollywood scene suffered enormously. He additionally had alcohol and drug addiction issues which would possibly or may not have had one thing to do along with his deteriorating mental well being. Eventually, Henry resorted to receiving monetary help and housing from Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, where he lived till his dying in 1978 at age 67. He died of cirrhosis, and because he had no cash left, he used to be buried in an unmarked grave in North Hollywood.
Although his loss of life was extremely unhappy, it can be argued that his appalling conduct brought on many of his problems. These days, should you do wish to visit his grave, you could have a troublesome time finding it. It eventually did get a gravestone — it reads "Star - Star Maker." You can be informed extra about Henry through reading his biography, The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson.
Hollywood premieres on Netflix May 1.
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