After serving in the Navy, Hudson moved to Hollywood. He didn't achieve success right away, so he took a job as a truck driver in the meantime. When he wasn't working, he'd hang around movie studios in the hopes of being noticed by a studio executive. Even though no truck driving was necessary for Picking, his love of acting started at a young age. He initially went to NYU before dropping out and moving to LA to pursue his career. He even told W Magazine that "growing up, when I watched a movie with my dad, I wanted to laugh and cry in the same movie. I want to make those kind of stories that will inspire people."