Superstar womaniser has HIV
EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood rocked
HOLLYWOOD was gripped with fear last night after a womanising A-list actor was diagnosed with HIV.
The superstar, who The Sun is choosing not to name, has had a host of high-profile sexual partners.
His lawyers are believed to be aware of the situation and preparing for a raft of potential legal claims from previous lovers.
The actor’s list of exes includes an award-winning actress, a religious movie star, a top Hollywood personality with a controversial past, a TV star, a media personality and a glamour model.
Last night a US showbiz insider said: “It has now become common knowledge that this star is HIV positive, something he has known for a number of years.
“His lawyers are bracing for the threat of potential action.
“The reality is that if he’s knowingly put women at risk then that’s disgusting and it’s only a matter of time before that becomes public.”
Some friends of the actor have privately encouraged him to open up about his condition, but he has so far refused. A source said: “Lots of people close to him have suggested he face this situation head-on and own it publicly.
“Obviously it would be a huge story, but the reality is HIV is entirely treatable in this day and age and shouldn’t impact his ability to work or lead a normal life.
“It could be a game-changer in the understanding of HIV given that he’s a straight man.”
However the star is said to be paranoid his entire career would become defined by the diagnosis and that he could open himself up to costly legal action from ex-partners accusing him of recklessly putting their health at risk.
The source added: “He’s distraught about the possibility of the illness becoming a defining quality of his career.
“He’s also concerned a lot of exes and previous one-night stands could look to sue.”
Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk of contracting the HIV virus, which weakens the immune system and can develop into deadly Aids.
It is spread through the bodily fluids of infected people, through breastfeeding and sharing needles.
Many sufferers do not know they have it and are symptom-free.
An estimated 100,000 people live with HIV or Aids in the UK, nearly a quarter undiagnosed.
Speaking previously to The Sun, Lisa Power formerly of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Since the 1980s medical advances have transformed almost every aspect of HIV, none more so than effective drug treatments.
“Sadly, attitudes towards the condition haven’t kept pace and stigma is still a big problem.
“People with HIV can lead full, happy lives well into old age. For many the biggest challenge is dealing with what other people think.”
Actor Rock Hudson, who starred in 1950s film Giant and TV series Dynasty, became the first major celebrity to die of an Aids-related illness in 1985.
Six years later Queen frontman Freddie Mercury revealed he tested positive for HIV, which later turned to Aids. He died in November 1991.
Entertainers Holly Johnson, 55, from Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Erasure singer Andy Bell, 51, are both living with HIV.
NBA basketball legend Magic Johnson, 56, announced he was HIV positive in 1991.
In September of this year, US Eighties sitcom star Danny Pintauro, 39 — from hit show Who’s the Boss? — revealed on Oprah Winfrey’s show that he has been carrying the HIV virus for 12 years.