During his heyday in the 1950s as one of Hollywood’s top male stars, Tab Hunter headlined hit movies like Battle Cry and Damn Yankees, competed against James Dean and Paul Newman for roles and cavorted with more-or-less a Who’s Who of Tinseltown. He escorted Natalie Wood on studio-arranged dates and even maintained a recording career, releasing the number-one hit, “Young Love,” which eventually led to the formation of Warner Bros. Records. Often referred to referred to as “America’s Boy Next Door,” Hunter seemed to have the world on a string. He also had a secret he needed to keep hidden: he was gay.
In the new documentary Tab Hunter Confidential (adapted from the actor’s 2005 memoir), the still-charismatic 84-year-old candidly shares his fear of being outed, his love affair with Anthony Perkins and the incredible story of how he endured to become a happy, healthy survivor of Hollywood’s roller coaster. Produced by Allan Glaser, Hunter’s partner of three decades, the engaging film (in select theaters today) includes a trove of vintage footage of the heartthrob, as well as new interviews with John Waters (his Polyester director), Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, George Takei and former gossip queen Rona Barrett.
Watch Waters and others discuss Hunter’s beauty in the exclusive clip below.
Robert Barber
He was!
Robert Barber
And is
scotshot
Always hot!
stanhope
He was nice looking but Troy Donahue, Monty Clift were better looking. That said, Jan Michael Vincent at his prime, was the most beautiful boy Hollywood ever produced. I still think he was “touched by an angel”
scotshot
@stanhope: Have you seen JMV lately? Horrifying.
martinbakman
Tab Hunter still looks handsome and strong.
So many good clips in that movie.
BBellairs
@stanhope: Yes, Monty Clift was beautiful before the accident. But, let’s not forget Richard Chamberlain!
Tobi
Nah, but Roger Herren … https://youtu.be/tvk8v4qzg7c?t=7m20s
Daveliam
I have always found Tab to be really attractive. I’m too young to know him from his heyday, but I remember seeing pictures of him from back in the 50’s – 60’s when I was in my teens and really finding myself drawn to him. And at the same time seeing the nerdy but attractive science teacher in Grease II and find HIM really hot for an “older guy”. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that he was actually the same guy. I credit him as one of the influences that developed my affinity for blond guys.
Daveliam
@Daveliam: To clarify, I saw pictures of him from the 50’s-60’s when I first got on the internet in the 90’s when I was in my teens.
Stache99
@scotshot: I remember seeing those pics. I was shocked. Examples of what being an addict can do to someone.
Stache99
@scotshot: but yeah, total transformation.
http://prntscr.com/8s1wcx
scotshot
@Stache99: II jumped a foot when I saw it. Compared to him I look mighty-fine. lol.
Stache99
@scotshot:Yes. Gods are sometimes as weak as us mere mortals. It’s also good reminder that beauty is only temporary in life. So is good health for that matter if you don’t take good care of it.
scotshot
@tricky ricky: Rock Hudson was actually a good actor being nominated for his performance in “Giant”, his romantic comedies in the 60s and “Seconds” – which is my favorite.
Jim McHardy
He was a great star
alphacentauri
Tab Hunter was not that good of an actor. Sure he looked handsome when he was younger but he had no talent.
gaym50ish
In those days, handsome leading men didn’t need to have gym-perfect bodies, so in shirtless photos of actors like Tab, Rock Hudson and others of that era they are always sucking in their stomachs — no six-pack abs to show off.
BlueDude
These days, Hollywood doesn’t have the beautiful men who were stars in the 1950s and ’60s. Even in grade school, I was staring at them, and had no idea I was quee®. Do any of y’all remember Steve Reeves and the Hercules films? He was my idea of a “real man”!
winemaker
WOW, THIS ARTICLE REMINDED ME OF THE TELEVISION SHOW THAT HE HAD IN THE VERY EARLY 1960’S, I BELIEVE IT WAS CALLED “THE TB HUNTER SHOW’, DUH. ANYWAY, I RECALL SEEING A PHOTO OF HIM RECENTLY AT HIS CURRENT AGE, HE LOOKS GREAT. I GREW UP IN LOS ANGELES, BOTH OF MY PARENTS WERE IN SHOW BUSINESS. LOOKING BACK IT’S AMAZING HOW MUCH SHOW BUSINESS OWES THE GAY COMMUNITY. I IMAGINE THERE WERE MANY GAYS IN HOLLYWOOD IN ITS EARLY YEARS THAT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS NEVER REVEALED THEY WERE GAY. IN THE 1940’S – 1970’S AND SOMEWHAT TODAY, REVEALING THAT YOU’RE GAY IS THE END OF YOUR CAREER. MAYBE THE ‘TAB HUNTER SHOW IS ON YOU TUBE, I LOOKED UP SEVERAL SITCOMS FROM THE 1950’S THAT I WATCHED AND ENJOYED AS RERUNS AS A KID IN THE 1960’S AND WAS SURPRISED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Sluggo2007
I read his book when it came out. Interesting career and at 84, he still looks terrific!
Joe
He’ll be in Philadelphia this week accepting an award on behalf of the LBGT and screening a new film about him. I’d love to run into him and have him sign my autobiography he wrote. He is still a handsome guy.
Zane Rhoades
I was born a bit late (1968) to have known Tab at the height of his popularity, though I met him a while back: He and Alan came to Birmingham, AL in 2004 for a theater gala as a favor to friend Fanny Flagg. My husband and Fanny are long-time friends. We spent the weekend with them and had them over for dinner. He and Alan are so nice and down-to-earth! They even sent us a thank-you note after they returned home to CA.
tricky ricky
@alphacentauri: back then they didn’t need talent, they had faces. troy donohue couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag. rock was just a huge handsome slab of meat.
tricky ricky
you can get his book cheap on amazon in hardback for pennies plus shipping.
martinbakman
@winemaker: Thanks for sharing that winemaker. That sounds like an interesting time to have lived in LA.
I attended the screening of Tab Hunter Confidential earlier this year at OutFest. Many of his associates and others from that era that contributed to the movie were on hand. When Mr Hunter walked on stage of course he received a standing O. He has remained in great shape.
I sat next to a women that went to junior high school with Tab Hunter Loved hearing her experience. Connie Stevens, Joyce Dewitt, and other celebs were on hand. Was quite remarkable to be around so much Hollywood history.
Bob Pattinson
I realised I was gay when – as a young boy – I saw this guy’s handsome face everywhere when his record was released. I fell in love with him there and then.
NoCagada
@tricky ricky: Well, thank Goddess that we now have talents like Bieber, the Kardashians and WIll Smith’s kids (who will always be referred to as “Will Smith’s kids”).
Edward Kiner
Tell me aBOUT it !
Joe
@scotshot:
He was one of the greats. I loved “Seconds.” He was once in the Boom Boom Room whe I was in there in So. California. I din’t have the balls to go up to him but I did catch him eyeing me up a few times. I’m glad I went with my gut and kept myself at bay.