Tab Hunter was an American heartthrob on the big screen, but few people knew the truth
about the actor’s sexuality until he came out of the closet via his 2005 autobiography.
Join us as Facts Verse presents: He Died 5 Years Ago, Now Tab Hunter's Husband Breaks
His Silence.
Early Life Tab Hunter was an American actor, singer,
and author who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s.
He was born Arthur Andrew Kelm on July 11, 1931, in New York City, and grew up in California.
Hunter's parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother and maternal
grandparents.
Tab Hunter became interested in performing at a young age.
As a child, he enjoyed singing and dancing and would often perform for his family and
friends.
He also had a love for horses and dreamed of becoming a jockey.
Hunter's mother encouraged his interest in performing and enrolled him in dance classes.
He began performing in local theater productions and eventually caught the attention of Hollywood
agent Henry Willson, who helped launch his career.
Despite his success in Hollywood, Hunter never lost his love for horses.
He owned several horses throughout his life and even competed in equestrian events.
In his later years, he became involved in animal rescue and was a supporter of the Humane
Society.
In fact, he once won a championship at the prestigious National Horse Show in Madison
Square Garden.
He even wrote a book about his beloved dog, "The Great Dane: A Love Story."
Hunter was also an avid golfer and enjoyed playing the sport in his free time.
He was known for his friendly and outgoing personality and was beloved by his fans and
colleagues in the industry.
Hunter's career began in the early 1950s when he was discovered by agent Henry Willson.
This is the same man that discovered another closeted icon of note, with that being Rock
Hudson.
Willson came up with the stage name "Tab Hunter" and helped him land his first film role in
the 1950 movie "The Lawless."
The movie was directed by Joseph Losey and starred Macdonald Carey, Gail Russell, and
Lee Patrick.
Hunter played the role of Danny, a young man who gets caught up in a small-town feud between
two families.
"The Lawless" was a departure from the typical Hollywood fare of the time, with its gritty
portrayal of small-town life and themes of violence and corruption.
Hunter's character was a sympathetic figure caught in the middle of a violent feud, and
he brought a sense of vulnerability and innocence to the role.
Hunter quickly became a popular leading man in Hollywood, going on to appear in even larger
roles in films such as "Battle Cry" and "Damn Yankees."
Tab Hunter’s Closeted Career Hunter was known for his good looks and wholesome
image, which made him a favorite of teenage girls.
He was also a talented singer and had several hit records, including "Young Love" and "Ninety-Nine
Ways."
Hunter's success in Hollywood was not without controversy, however.
He was rumored to be gay, which was considered taboo at the time, and he was often paired
with female co-stars to dispel the rumors.
In the late 1960s, Hunter's career began to decline, and he turned to television and stage
work.
Tab Hunter's career declined due to a combination of factors.
One of the main reasons was the changing cultural landscape of Hollywood.
The 1960s saw a shift towards more socially conscious and politically charged films, which
did not fit Hunter's image as a wholesome, all-American heartthrob.
Additionally, Hunter's personal life became a liability for his career.
In 1955, he was arrested for disorderly conduct at a gay party, which was a scandal at the
time.
Hunter was forced to deny his homosexuality and maintain a public image as a heterosexual
leading man.
However, as society became more accepting of LGBTQIA+ individuals, Hunter's closeted
status became increasingly outdated and he was seen as less relevant.
Hunter also struggled to find roles that suited his aging image.
As he entered his 40s, he was no longer seen as a young heartthrob and was unable to transition
into more mature roles.
He continued to work in smaller films and television roles, but his star power had faded.
He appeared in several notable TV shows from the time, including "The Love Boat" and "Murder,
She Wrote," and continued to perform in musicals and plays.
In the 1980s, Hunter made a comeback of sorts, appearing in John Waters' cult classic "Polyester".
Tab’s Death Hunter was also known for his personal life,
which was the subject of much speculation.
In his 2005 memoir "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star," Hunter finally
revealed that he was gay and had relationships with several men.
Hunter died on July 8, 2018, at the age of 86.
He died from complications related to a blood clot that caused cardiac arrest.
According to reports, Hunter was not prepared to pass away and his death came as a shock
to those close to him.
His husband, Allan Glaser, released a statement after his death, saying, "Tab passed away
tonight, three days shy of his 87th birthday.
Please honor his memory by saying a prayer on his behalf.
He would have liked that."
Glaser also spoke publicly about his grief and how difficult it was to lose his partner
of over 35 years.
He said in an interview, "It's a very difficult time.
We were together for 35 years, and it's a big loss.
But I'm grateful for the time we had together."
Fans of Hunter also expressed their sadness and grief at his passing.
Many took to social media to share their memories of him and his impact on Hollywood and the
LGBT community.
Some fans also shared personal accounts of meeting Hunter and how kind and gracious he
was to them.
In the wake of his death, Hunter's legacy as a Hollywood icon and LGBT trailblazer continues
to be celebrated.
His work in film and television, as well as his advocacy for LGBT rights, has inspired
many and will continue to do so for years to come.
He was remembered as a talented actor and singer who broke barriers and paved the way
for future generations of performers.
Tab Got Married Towards the End of His Life Hunter's life partner was Allan Glaser, a
film producer whom he met in the 1980s.
The two were together for over 35 years and were married in 2013, after same-sex marriage
became legal in California.
Glaser was a strong advocate for LGBT rights and helped Hunter come out publicly.
He also produced a documentary about Hunter's life, called "Tab Hunter Confidential," which
was released in 2015.
The documentary provided a behind-the-scenes look at Hunter's life in Hollywood, including
his struggles with his sexuality and the pressures he faced to maintain his image as a heartthrob.
It also featured interviews with Hunter and his friends and colleagues, who shared their
memories of him and his impact on Hollywood and the LGBT community.
In the wake of Hunter's death, Glaser has continued to be a strong advocate for LGBT
rights and has worked to raise awareness about the challenges faced by LGBT individuals in
Hollywood and beyond.
He has also continued to promote Hunter's work and legacy, ensuring that his impact
on Hollywood and the LGBT community will continue to be remembered and celebrated for years
to come.
Tab Hunter was known for his good looks and charm, but he also had a great sense of humor.
In an interview, he once joked that he was "the only actor in Hollywood who never slept
with Joan Crawford."
Another funny incident saw the performer asked by a reporter if he had any advice for young
actors.
He replied, "Yes, don't take advice from actors."
In his aforementioned autobiography, Tab Hunter revealed that he once had a crush on Psycho
star Anthony Perkins, his co-star in the movie "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean."
However, he didn't act on his feelings because he knew Perkins was gay and he didn't want
to ruin their friendship.
Did You Know Tab Hunter Had His Own Comic Book?
In the 1950s, Tab Hunter was so popular that he even had his own comic book series, "Tab
Hunter."
The Tab Hunter comic book series was published by Dell Comics.
It was a tie-in to Tab Hunter's growing popularity as a teen heartthrob and movie star.
The comic featured stories and illustrations based on Hunter's movies and personal life,
as well as fictional adventures.
The first issue of the Tab Hunter comic was released in 1957 and featured a cover illustration
of Hunter in a cowboy hat and boots.
The comic was a hit with young fans and ran for a total of six issues.
Each issue of the Tab Hunter comic included a mix of stories, puzzles, and games.
Some of the stories were adaptations of Hunter's movies, such as "Battle Cry" and "The Burning
Hills."
Others were original stories that featured Hunter as a hero, such as "The Secret of the
Lost Mine" and "The Mystery of the Haunted House."
The Tab Hunter comic was part of a larger trend of celebrity tie-in comics that were
popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
Other celebrities who had their own comic book series included Elvis Presley, The Beatles,
and Frank Sinatra.
Today, the Tab Hunter comic is a collector's item and a nostalgic reminder of the heyday
of teen idols and celebrity culture in the 1950s.
Despite his success as an actor, Tab Hunter never took himself too seriously.
In an interview, he once said, "I'm not a great actor, but I'm a great audience."
Despite his popularity, Tab Hunter managed to keep his sexuality a secret from the public
until the 2000s.
Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that Tab Hunter was an American heartthrob
despite his closeted sexuality, and that he even had his own comic book?
Comment down below!