Hudson Lends Name to AIDS Drive

Elizabeth Taylor helped kick off the Sept. 19 benefit for the AIDS Project Los Angeles on Sunday, and at the gathering, Rock Hudson’s publicist said he is undertaking a national campaign to raise money from the star’s fans to combat AIDS.

Dale Olson, in a conversation during a crowded benefit brunch at Trumps restaurant, said that with Hudson’s permission, he was undertaking to send letters to the stricken star’s fans, asking them to contribute to a Rock Hudson Foundation, still to be set up.

Olson said he had discussed the fund-raising plan with Hudson and the star was pleased and had approved the letter. Olson said he believed the star’s courage in making it known that he has acquired immune deficiency syndrome could, through the letter and fund-raising effort, turn a personal tragedy into something beneficial to others.

The actor, who returned from France last week aboard a chartered plane, is still at UCLA Hospital. On Monday, doctors said, Hudson was gaining in strength, was in good spirits and his condition remained fair.

His first visitor, Elizabeth Taylor, came by Sunday. His physicians decide on a day-to-day basis whether he should have visitors.

Files Called Extensive

Olson said that extensive files existed, with fan letters to Hudson going back several decades, and these files would be utilized in the fund-raising campaign. Details were still to be worked out, he said.

More and more star power is being packaged for the Sept. 19 AIDS Project benefit, according to Gary Pudney, the ABC Entertainment vice president putting together the show.

AIDS Project/LA provides support services to AIDS victims and what is termed “risk reduction” educational programs to the community at large. Pudney said that “as usual, in time of crisis, show business has come forward.”

Burt Reynolds and Sammy Davis Jr. have just signed on as “star hosts,” Pudney said, joining Taylor, Shirley MacLaine, Burt Lancaster and an expected laundry list of other top names.

Former First Lady Betty Ford will receive the AIDS Project’s first Commitment to Life Award from Elizabeth Taylor at the September dinner at the Century Plaza.

Sybil Brand, one of the honorary co-chairpersons along with Mayor Tom Bradley of the upcoming evening, was on hand at the brunch, along with Adrea and Victor Carter, Sooky Goldman, Lon Harmon, Joan Weiss, Larry Sprenger, Carter Hawley Hale’s Donald Livingston, and Rosemary Tomich, representing Dr. Armand Hammer, who had to cancel his appearance because of the death of his brother.

Trumps chef Michael Roberts and his partner, Doug Delfeld, hosted the event.