Bill Hudson: Everything About Kate Hudson's Father and His Life Today

Bill Hudson is an American singer, actor, and writer. He became famous in the 1970s with his music group, The Hudson Brothers. Many people also know him as the father of famous actress Kate Hudson and actor Oliver Hudson.

His life has many interesting stories. He found success in music and movies. He also married two famous actresses, Goldie Hawn and Cindy Williams. However, his family life was not always happy or easy.

In 2026, people still want to learn about Bill Hudson. His past family problems and his new bond with Oliver have gained attention. Here, we will explore his childhood, music career, movies, marriages, and family life.

Bill Hudson Quick Bio


Full Name	William Louis Hudson Jr.
Known As	Bill Hudson
Date of Birth	October 17, 1949
Age	77 years old in 2026
Birthplace	Portland, Oregon, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	Singer, actor, writer
Famous For	The Hudson Brothers
Brothers	Mark and Brett Hudson
Famous Songs	So You Are a Star, Razzle Dazzle
Movies	Zero to Sixty, Hysterical, Big Shots
Book	Two Versions
First Wife	Goldie Hawn
Second Wife	Cindy Williams
Children	Oliver, Kate, Emily, Zachary, Lalania
Famous Daughter	Kate Hudson
Famous Son	Oliver Hudson
Net Worth	About $5 million, reported
Age in 2026	77 years

Who Is Bill Hudson?

Bill Hudson is an American singer, actor, and writer. His full name is William Louis Hudson Jr. He became famous as a member of The Hudson Brothers. He started this music group with his younger brothers, Mark and Brett.

During the 1970s, the brothers became popular for their songs and funny TV shows. People loved their music and enjoyed watching them perform. Bill also worked in movies and became known to many fans across America.

Bill is also the father of five children. His two oldest children are Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson. Both became famous actors. His family life has often been in the news because of his past marriages and family problems.

Bill Hudson Early Life

Bill Hudson was born on October 17, 1949, in Portland, Oregon. His parents were Eleanor and William Louis Hudson. He grew up with his two younger brothers, Mark and Brett. The three boys spent much of their childhood together.

His early life was not always easy. His father left the family when Bill was young. His mother had to care for the children. This was a hard time for the family, but the brothers stayed close.

Bill loved music from a young age. His brothers also enjoyed singing and playing music. They started performing together and slowly became better. Their love for music helped them build a career that later brought them fame.

Bill Hudson Music Career and The Hudson Brothers

Bill Hudson started his music career with his brothers, Mark and Brett. They formed a band around 1965. After using other names, they became known as The Hudson Brothers. Their music was fun and easy to enjoy.

The group became popular during the 1970s. Some of their famous songs were “So You Are a Star,” “Razzle Dazzle,” “Coochie Coochie Coo,” and “Help Wanted.” These songs helped them gain fans and become known across America.

The brothers also had their own TV show in 1974. It was called The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show. The show had music, jokes, and funny acts. It helped the brothers reach more people and grow their fame.

Bill Hudson Movies and Acting Career

Bill Hudson also wanted to work in movies. After finding success with his music group, he started acting. This gave him a chance to try something new and show fans another side of his talent.

In 1978, Bill appeared in the movie Zero to Sixty. He later worked with his brothers in Hysterical, a funny horror movie released in 1983. The film brought the brothers together for a new kind of work.

Bill also appeared in the 1987 movie Big Shots. His acting career was not as big as his music career. Still, he enjoyed working in films. In 2011, he also released a book about his life and family.

Bill Hudson and Goldie Hawn Marriage

Bill Hudson met actress Goldie Hawn in 1975. According to Bill, they first met on a flight from New York to Los Angeles. They liked each other and soon started dating. The couple got married in 1976.

They welcomed their first child, Oliver Hudson, on September 7, 1976. Their daughter Kate Hudson was born on April 19, 1979. For some time, they lived together as a family while working in entertainment.

However, their marriage did not last. Bill and Goldie separated in 1980 and divorced in 1982. They later shared different stories about their problems. Their split also made Bill’s relationship with Kate and Oliver difficult for many years.

Bill Hudson and Cindy Williams Marriage

After his marriage to Goldie Hawn ended, Bill Hudson found love again. He married actress Cindy Williams in 1982. Cindy was famous for her role as Shirley Feeney in the TV show Laverne & Shirley.

Bill and Cindy had two children together. Their daughter Emily was born in 1982, and their son Zachary was born in 1986. Both children grew up with famous parents but have kept most of their lives private.

Their marriage lasted 18 years before they divorced in 2000. Cindy Williams died on January 25, 2023, at age 75. She had been sick for a short time. Many fans still remember her famous TV roles.

Bill Hudson Children and Family Life

Bill Hudson is the father of five children. Their names are Oliver, Kate, Emily, Zachary, and Lalania Hudson. His children have different mothers. Some became famous, while others chose to live quiet lives away from the cameras.

Oliver and Kate are his children with Goldie Hawn. Emily and Zachary were born during his marriage to Cindy Williams. His youngest daughter, Lalania, was reportedly born in 2006. Her mother is Caroline Graham.

Kate and Oliver followed their parents into acting. Both became well-known Hollywood stars. Emily, Zachary, and Lalania have stayed mostly out of the news. Bill’s family life has often gained attention because of his famous children.

Bill Hudson Relationship With Kate Hudson

Bill Hudson and his daughter Kate Hudson have not always been close. After her parents split, Kate grew up with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Kurt helped raise her, and she has often called him her dad.

Kate has spoken about feeling hurt by her father’s absence. Still, she has also shared kind words about him. In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, she said she loved Bill but did not want to keep thinking about old problems.

Kate has also said she was happy to have the Hudson last name. It helped her start acting without using her mother’s famous name. In 2026, Kate and Bill still do not appear to have a close relationship.

Bill Hudson and Oliver Hudson Reunion

Bill Hudson also had a hard relationship with his son Oliver. In 2015, Oliver shared an old family picture on Father’s Day. He wrote, “Happy abandonment day.” The post hurt Bill and led to a public family fight.

However, the post later helped them start talking again. In 2018, Oliver said they had spoken on the phone and met for breakfast. It was their first meeting in about 12 years. They spent three hours talking.

In December 2025, Oliver shared good news. He said he and Bill were getting along well. They were texting almost every other day and meeting for lunch. They even talked about doing small projects together. Their relationship had become much better.

Bill Hudson Book and Family Struggles

In 2011, Bill Hudson wrote a book called Two Versions: The Other Side of Fame and Family. The book tells stories about his life, music career, marriages, and children. He also shared his feelings about his family problems.

Bill wrote about his marriage to Goldie Hawn and his difficult relationship with Kate and Oliver. He explained how he felt during those years. However, Goldie and their children have shared different views about what happened.

In 2015, Bill said he no longer saw Kate and Oliver as his children. His words caused more pain. However, his later reunion with Oliver showed that family problems do not always last forever. People can sometimes find a way to reconnect.

Bill Hudson Net Worth and Income

Bill Hudson made money from singing, acting, and writing. His music group, The Hudson Brothers, became popular in the 1970s. Their songs and TV shows helped him earn money and become known across America.

In January 2023, The Sun reported that Bill had an estimated net worth of $5 million. This number came from Celebrity Net Worth. However, it is only an estimate. His real net worth in 2026 is not known.

Bill also worked in movies and wrote a book in 2011. These jobs added to his career. Today, there is little public news about his money, homes, or other work. He keeps these parts of his life private.

Where Is Bill Hudson Now in 2026?

Bill Hudson is 77 years old in 2026. He lives a much quieter life than he did during his music career. He is not seen at many public events, and he does not share much about his daily life.

His current home and marriage status are not publicly known. There is also no confirmed news about a new music album or movie. Still, people remain interested in him because of his past work and famous family.

One happy update came in December 2025. Oliver Hudson said he and Bill were talking often and spending time together. They had shared meals and long talks. Their new bond was a big change after many years apart.

Final Thoughts

Bill Hudson has had a long life in music and entertainment. He became famous with The Hudson Brothers and later worked in movies. His songs and TV shows helped him become a known name in the 1970s.

His family life has also been an important part of his story. He married Goldie Hawn and Cindy Williams and became a father of five. Some family ties were difficult, but his relationship with Oliver has improved.

In 2026, Bill Hudson is 77 years old and keeps most of his life private. Fans still remember his music and acting work. His story also shows that families can face hard times and still find ways to grow closer.