Tab Hunter
Biography
Tab Hunter was an American actor, singer, and author who became a leading romantic star at Warner Bros. in the 1950s. Born in Manhattan and raised in California, he got his start with a small part in the film noir The Lawless and then won the lead in Island of Desire, a hit opposite Linda Darnell. His breakthrough came with the World War II drama Battle Cry (1955), and Warners paired him with Natalie Wood in The Burning Hills (1956) and The Girl He Left Behind (1956). He played against type as a villain in Gunman's Walk (1958) and starred in the musical Damn Yankees (1958). He also recorded the 1957 single Young Love, a number one hit. His career revived in the 1980s with Polyester (1981), Grease 2 (1982), and Lust in the Dust (1985), and his 2005 memoir was a bestseller.
86years old at death
- Born Manhattan
- Died Santa Barbara
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Arthur Andrew Kelm (birth name)Also credited as Arthur Andrew Gelien
Movie Career
- Films
- 19
- Career span
- 63 years1952 to 2015
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First role
Hunter's first film role came in the film noir The Lawless in 1950, a minor part. His friend Paul Guilfoyle suggested him to director Stuart Heisler.
Beyond film
Hunter's 1957 single "Young Love" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, sold over two million copies, and earned a gold disc from the RIAA.
A role that slipped away
Hunter lost the role of Tony in the 1961 film adaptation of West Side Story, which led him to star in his own weekly television sitcom, The Tab Hunter Show.
About the name
Dick Clayton brought Gelien to agent Henry Willson, who handled beefcake male stars including Robert Wagner and Rock Hudson. Willson was the one who gave him the name Tab Hunter.
A first
Hunter was the only member of the film version of Damn Yankees who had not appeared in the original Broadway cast.
Tab Hunter movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
William A. Wellman directed two of these films, Stuart Heisler two. Three actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Lainie Kazan's page
Van Heflin's page
Divine's page
Clint Eastwood's page
Paul Fix's page
Geoffrey Lewis's page
All films by William A. Wellman
Stuart HeislerDirector, 2 films, 1952 to 1956
All films by Stuart Heisler
Also two films together9 more actors
- Ray TealGunman's Walk (1958) and The Burning Hills (1956)
- Claude AkinsThe Burning Hills (1956) and The Sea Chase (1955)
- Natalie WoodThe Burning Hills (1956) and The Girl He Left Behind (1956)
- Raymond BaileyLafayette Escadrille (1958) and The Girl He Left Behind (1956)
- David JanssenLafayette Escadrille (1958) and The Girl He Left Behind (1956)
- Edward PlattThey Came to Cordura (1959) and Gunman's Walk (1958)
- Noah WyleTab Hunter Confidential (2015) and Lust in the Dust (1985)
- Barbara NicholsThe Loved One (1965) and That Kind of Woman (1959)
- Connie StevensTab Hunter Confidential (2015) and Grease 2 (1982)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1960 | Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.