Roddy McDowall’s Hidden Archive Reveals the Secret Lives of 1960s Hollywood | HO

For decades, Roddy McDowall was celebrated as the consummate Hollywood gentleman. Child star, acclaimed actor, photographer, and trusted confidant to the biggest names in show business—McDowall’s legacy seemed as polished as his British accent. But beneath the surface, he was quietly building an archive that would one day shake the foundations of Hollywood history.

In 2098, one hundred years after his death, the sealed diaries, letters, and home movies McDowall entrusted to Boston University will finally be opened. Legal experts say their contents could rewrite the story of an era—revealing friendships, betrayals, and secrets the public was never meant to know. As the countdown to that revelation continues, new details have emerged about the man whose life intersected with every major star of the twentieth century.

From War-Torn London to Hollywood’s Bright Lights

Born Rodrik Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall on September 17, 1928, in Herne Hill, London, Roddy’s earliest years were shaped by the stage and family ambition. His mother, Winifred, dreamed of acting but poured her hopes into her son, enrolling him in elocution classes at five and encouraging his early film career. By age ten, Roddy had already appeared in sixteen British films, winning drama awards alongside his sister Virginia.

World War II changed everything. In 1940, as German bombers filled the skies, the McDowall family fled to America under Operation Pied Piper, arriving with just $42. Roddy’s father joined the military, leaving Winifred to guide her son’s career through talent agencies in New York. Hollywood soon came calling. Fox Studios saw something special in Roddy—a real-life refugee with perfect diction and a gentle charm.

His first American film, “Man Hunt” (1941), cast him as a boy helping someone escape the Nazis, a role mirroring his own journey. That same year, “How Green Was My Valley” made him a star. At just thirteen, his performance helped the film beat “Citizen Kane” for Best Picture at the Oscars. Critics compared him to Shirley Temple, and Fox signed him to a seven-year contract.

The Child Star Who Became Hollywood’s Breadwinner

Success came quickly, but childhood did not. By age sixteen, Roddy was earning $2,500 a week—hundreds of thousands in today’s dollars. He worked six days a week, supporting his family while navigating the pressures of fame. His mother saved every penny, but the relentless schedule left him anxious and homesick.

Roddy’s roles grew deeper and more complex. In “My Friend Flicka” (1943), he bonded with a wild horse, learning to ride and act alongside real animals. “The Keys of the Kingdom” (1944) saw him tackle heavy emotional scenes, using a Scottish accent and portraying loss and resilience. By sixteen, he was already a seasoned performer, but the transition to adult roles loomed.

Reinvention on Stage and Screen

The turning point came with Broadway’s “Compulsion” (1957-58), based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder case. Roddy’s portrayal of Arthur Strauss, a cold and calculating young man, marked a dramatic shift from his earlier roles. Though replaced in the film adaptation, his stage performance earned critical acclaim.

In the 1960 thriller “Midnight Lace,” Roddy played a suspicious and creepy character alongside Doris Day, showcasing a darker side. His role as Mordred in Broadway’s original “Camelot” proved his stage talent, earning him a Tony nomination and fan adoration for his song “The Seven Deadly Virtues.”

Then came “Cleopatra” (1963), where Roddy played Octavius in the most expensive film ever made. He witnessed the scandalous romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Taylor’s near-fatal illness, and the financial chaos that nearly bankrupted Fox. Through it all, Roddy remained the consummate professional.

The Man Behind the Mask

Roddy’s most iconic role came in 1968’s “Planet of the Apes,” where he spent hours each morning transforming into Cornelius, the gentle chimpanzee archaeologist. The makeup process was grueling, involving layers of foam rubber, painted teeth, and hours of application and removal. But Roddy’s dedication paid off—the film became a hit, and his work ethic behind the scenes became legendary.

He documented the entire process with his 8mm camera, filming cast members in costume, sharing private moments, and capturing the camaraderie of the set. These rare behind-the-scenes reels showed Hollywood stars laughing, relaxing, and sipping drinks through straws in full orangutan makeup. Roddy’s archive was not just a collection—it was living history.

Hollywood’s Secret Keeper

Roddy’s Malibu beach house became a sanctuary for Hollywood’s elite. He hosted private parties where stars like Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, Anthony Perkins, Natalie Wood, and Jane Fonda could be themselves, away from the cameras and gossip columns. He filmed and photographed these moments, never releasing the footage, knowing its power to ruin careers.

He was especially protective of closeted actors like Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter, providing a safe space in an industry where being openly gay could end a career. Roddy’s home movies and photographs showed stars as real people—flirting, laughing, and sharing secrets. He was often described as Hollywood’s “father confessor,” trusted by all, betraying none.

The Scandal That Changed Everything

But in December 1974, Roddy’s life took a dramatic turn. The FBI raided his North Hollywood home, seizing 160 film reels and over 1,000 videotapes worth an estimated $5 million. The government accused him of film piracy, claiming he was copying and distributing movies illegally.

Roddy had begun collecting films in the 1960s, saving rare prints studios were discarding as worthless. He bought entire collections, transferred them to magnetic tape, and shared them with friends at cost. He saw himself as a protector of lost cinema, not a pirate. But the law disagreed.

Faced with prosecution, Roddy chose to cooperate, giving the FBI names of friends who had provided him with prints—Rock Hudson, Arthur P. Jacobs, Dick Martin, and Mel Tormé among them. The betrayal stunned Hollywood. Some friends never forgave him. Though the case was dropped in 1975 and Roddy was never charged, the damage was done. He stopped hosting movie nights and shifted his focus to legal film preservation, joining the Academy’s board and helping restore classics like “Cleopatra.”

The Photographer Who Never Looked Away

Roddy’s talent extended beyond acting. His photography books, “Double Exposure” (1966) and “Double Exposure, Take Two” (1989), featured intimate portraits of stars described by their peers. He captured Judy Garland at her lowest, Elizabeth Taylor without makeup, and Montgomery Clift recovering from a devastating car accident. His images revealed the brutal cost of fame and the vulnerability behind the glamour.

His friendship with Elizabeth Taylor lasted fifty years. He called her daily, documented her struggles, and supported her through addiction, heartbreak, and scandal. When Roddy was dying of cancer in 1998, Taylor flew to Los Angeles and visited him every day until the end, holding a private memorial after his death.

The Secrets That Remain Sealed

Roddy’s personal diaries, letters, and home videos—sealed until 2098—are rumored to contain explosive revelations. They may document Elizabeth Taylor’s abusive marriage, Rock Hudson’s AIDS diagnosis, and Judy Garland’s private breakdowns. One diary entry reportedly describes Roddy’s suicide attempt after Montgomery Clift ended their relationship—an episode he survived and later supported Clift through his final film.

Legal experts believe the archive’s contents were sealed so long to protect the living and the reputations of Hollywood’s most famous figures. The world will finally learn the truth when the archive is opened at Boston University in the next century.

A Legacy of Loyalty and Mystery

Roddy McDowall died on October 3, 1998, leaving behind a legacy of artistry, loyalty, and mystery. He was more than just a child star or a Hollywood insider—he was the trusted confidant who saw everything and told no one. His hidden archive promises to reveal the secret lives of 1960s Hollywood, the private struggles behind public triumphs, and the humanity beneath the masks.

Until then, Roddy McDowall remains one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures in entertainment history—a man who captured the soul of Hollywood, and kept its secrets safe.