Tab Hunter's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Fridays Tab hunter … Strike Force Dr. Voorhees Just Our Luck Tab Hunter Conflict Donald McQu… Our Time Tab Hunter Saints and Sinners (1962) Sergeant Ed… The Tab Hunter Show Paul Morgan

Main Movie Roles 1989 - Out of the Dark 1985 - Lust in the Dust 1982 - Grease 2 1981 - Polyester 1972 - The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean 1965 - The Loved One 1965 - The City Under the Sea 1964 - Ride the Wild Surf 1959 - They Came to Cordura 1958 - Gunman's Walk 1953 - The Steel Lady

BIOGRAPHY:

He enlisted in the Coast Guard at age 15 (he lied about his age) and, at 18 made his film debut in The Lawless (1950). He had no previous acting experience. Though his acting was stiff and unimaginative, 1950s teenagers adored his blond, boy-next-door appearance and physique. His best-known early film was Battle Cry (1955). The role most remembered today is the part of Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees! (1958). In 1960-1 he had his own TV series "The Tab Hunter Show" (1960), and he appeared regularly as George Shumway in TV's "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" (1976). He co-starred three times with female impersonator Divine (I): Polyester (1981), Out of the Dark (1989), and Lust in the Dust (1985). He wrote the story for his most recent (his 32nd) movie Dark Horse (1992), directed by David Hemmings.


TRIVIA:

• Had a lifelong love for horses.
• He co-executive produced and hosted the cable television series _Hollywood on Horses (1989) (V)_ (qv).
• Following the likes of 'Richard Chamberlain (I)' (qv), Tab released his tell-all 2005 memoir revealing his homosexuality. The book entitled "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star" outlines a late 1950s relationship with actor 'Anthony Perkins (I)' (qv) that lasted several years. Other briefer flings mentioned included dancer 'Rudolf Nureyev' (qv), actor 'Scott Marlowe (I)' (qv) and ice-skater 'Ronnie Robertson' (qv). The book was actually written in 2003 but held in release for two years.
• Of his performance in 'Damn Yankees', director Stanley Donen observed: "He could't sing, he couldn't dance, he couldn't act. He was a triple threat.
• Born at 3:00am EDT
• On December 23, 1980, he suffered a heart attack at age 49 while skiing in Taos, New Mexico. In March, 1991 he suffered a stroke. He recovered from both.
• Had a #1 hit record, "Young Love", in 1956.
• His bare chest was chosen to adorn the cover of Donald Reuter's book: "Shirtless! The Hollywood Male Physique."