#32: Clifton Webb
Clifton Webb, an older actor and openly gay figure in Hollywood’s discreet circles, was occasionally linked to Hudson in speculative gossip. They were seen together at a handful of industry events during the early 1950s, though it’s unclear if there was any real romantic connection or simply mutual respect.
The rumors likely stemmed from Webb’s reputation as a witty, cultured presence who quietly mentored younger gay men navigating Hollywood’s treacherous waters. If there was anything between them, it was brief and left no footprint beyond passing chatter. Still, Webb’s name lingers on the fringes of Hudson’s mythology.