Bill Hudson might not be a household name today, but in the 1970s, he was part of a hit-making band, starred in movies, and dated some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Today, he is often remembered more for his famous children—especially actress Kate Hudson—and a long-standing family rift than for his time as a singer. But his story is full of twists, talent, and tough decisions.
So who is Bill Hudson, and why has his name been in headlines for all the wrong reasons? Here’s a look at his life, his music, his relationships, and where he stands now.
A Musical Start with The Hudson Brothers
Bill Hudson was born on October 17, 1949, in Portland, Oregon. He was the oldest of three brothers—Mark and Brett being the other two. Music was a big part of their lives growing up, and by the late 1960s, the three had formed a pop band called The Hudson Brothers.
At first, the band struggled to make it big. But in the early 1970s, they finally broke through with hits like “So You Are a Star” and “Rendezvous.” Their sound was catchy, light, and radio-friendly—perfect for that era of pop music.
In addition to their music success, the Hudson brothers became TV stars too. Their fun-loving personalities and clean-cut image helped them land their own variety shows, including “The Hudson Brothers Show” and “The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show.” These aired on CBS and helped make the trio popular with younger audiences.
Though they were never quite on the level of The Monkees or The Osmonds, The Hudson Brothers were seen as rising stars. But by the late ’70s, their popularity started to fade, and Bill Hudson began to shift focus to acting and his personal life.
A Romance with Goldie Hawn
Bill Hudson’s life changed dramatically in 1975 when he met actress Goldie Hawn. At the time, she was already a rising star in Hollywood. The two quickly fell in love and got married in 1976. Together, they had two children: Oliver Hudson (born 1976) and Kate Hudson (born 1979).
At first, the couple seemed like a Hollywood dream team—she was the bubbly blonde from Laugh-In and Private Benjamin, and he was the charming singer with teen heartthrob looks.
But the marriage didn’t last. They divorced in 1980, and things quickly turned bitter between them. Hudson later claimed that Goldie was unfaithful and didn’t make their marriage a priority. In interviews and in his 2011 memoir titled “Two Versions: The Other Side of Fame and Family,” Hudson described the relationship as painful and filled with betrayal.
Estranged From His Kids
One of the most talked-about parts of Bill Hudson’s life is his rocky relationship with his children, especially Kate and Oliver Hudson.
After the divorce, Goldie began dating actor Kurt Russell, who became a father figure to Oliver and Kate. Over time, both children grew closer to Russell and began to refer to him as “Dad.” In many public interviews, Kate Hudson has praised Kurt Russell for stepping up when her biological father wasn’t around.
That public praise didn’t sit well with Bill Hudson.
In 2015, tensions exploded when Oliver posted a Father’s Day photo on Instagram with the caption: “Happy abandonment day…” The photo included a young Oliver and Kate with their father, Bill. The post went viral and sparked a storm of headlines.
Bill responded by saying he was “done” with both Oliver and Kate. He claimed he had tried to stay in their lives but was pushed away by Goldie and later by the children themselves.
“I had five children and now I consider myself a father of three,” he told the Daily Mail. He also accused Goldie of “poisoning” the children against him for years.
While his comments gained him some sympathy from fans who believe every story has two sides, many were shocked at the harsh tone. Others criticized him for making private matters public.
Life Beyond the Spotlight
After his divorce from Goldie, Bill Hudson married actress Cindy Williams, best known for her role in Laverne & Shirley. The couple had two children together—daughter Emily and son Zachary—but divorced in 2000.
In his later years, Hudson stepped away from the entertainment world. He has not released new music or appeared in major films or shows in decades. Instead, he’s lived a quieter life, mostly away from the cameras.
His 2011 book was his last major public project, and in it, he tried to tell his side of the story—one he feels has been overlooked. The book didn’t make huge waves in the publishing world, but it did give readers a look into what he says really happened behind closed doors.
A Complicated Legacy
Bill Hudson’s life is hard to sum up in just a few lines. He was a successful pop star and TV personality, a father to five children, and part of two Hollywood marriages. But his name is now more often associated with family problems than musical hits.
Still, some believe his story is one that deserves a more balanced view. In interviews, he’s admitted he made mistakes but insists he tried to be there for his children.
“I’m human,” he once said. “I made choices. Some of them were right, some of them were wrong. But I never stopped loving my children.”
As of 2025, there’s no public sign of reconciliation between Bill and his eldest children, Kate and Oliver. Both continue to thrive in their acting careers and remain very close to their mother and stepfather, Kurt Russell.
Final Thoughts
The story of Bill Hudson is both inspiring and heartbreaking. He achieved fame, loved deeply, and fell hard. His journey reminds us that behind every celebrity headline is a real person with a complicated life.
Whether or not he ever mends ties with his children, one thing is certain: Bill Hudson left his mark—not just on pop music, but on a family that became famous in its own right. And even now, decades after the hits stopped coming, people are still talking about him.
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