Rock Hudson’s wife secretly recorded gay confession for private investigator, book claims
“The Fixer: Moguls, Mobsters, Movie Stars and Marilyn.” It delves into shocking revelations from notorious private detective Fred Otash based on his never-before-seen investigative files.For the book, Westphal was given access to Otash’s archives with the blessing of his daughter, Colleen.
Westphal, who first met Colleen at Otash’s funeral, developed a close friendship with her over the years.Otash, a World War II Marine veteran, died in 1992 at age 70.“Fred Otash fought to get Phyllis Gates what she deserved in their divorce settlement when Rock was kicking her to the curb and refusing to support her,” Young explained. “It was surprising to learn what an advocate he was for women and how interesting those cases were.”According to the authors, Otash was the son of Lebanese rug merchants whose life was marked by tragedy.
He lost his father and only brother during the Great Depression, prompting him to drop out of high school at age 16 to join the Civil Conservation Corps to support his mother and sisters.
He went on to volunteer for the Marine Corps and, at the outset of World War II, fought in the South Pacific. Otash landed in Los Angeles in 1945, when he signed up for the LAPD.
