Rock Hudson ( November 17 , 1925 -- October 2 , 1985 ) was an American film and television actor , famous for his good looks and remembered as a romantic star during the 1950s and 1960s , specially several movies where he appeared with actress Doris Day . Roy Harold Scherer , Jr. , later Roy Harold Fitzgerald ( November 17 , 1925-October 2 , 1985 ) , known professionally as Rock Hudson , was an American film and television actor , recognized as a romantic leading man during the 1950s and 1960s , most notably in several romantic comedies with Doris Day .