Tab Hunter

In the constellation of Hollywood stars that illuminated the silver screen in the mid-20th century, few shone as brightly and as handsomely as Tab Hunter. Born Arthur Andrew Kelm on July 11, 1931, in New York City, Hunter's debut into the entertainment industry would characterize the quintessential American heartthrob experience of the 1950s. His journey from a young boy in a troubled family to one of the most bankable stars of his time reflects the complex narrative of fame, identity, and resilience. Hunter's early life was marked by hardship. Growing up in California, he was the product of a tumultuous household with a father who abandoned him early in life, leaving his mother to instill a strong work ethic in young Arthur. Athletic, with an affinity for sports, he found solace in the discipline and camaraderie of the ice rink and horse stables, pursuits that forged a character deeply appreciative of hard work and resilience, traits that would serve him well in the volatile world of Hollywood. Discovered at a skating rink by talent agent Henry Willson, whose roster included other ‘beefcake’ actors such as Rock Hudson, Hunter soon found himself entering the glitzy corridors of Hollywood's entertainment industry. The transformation from Arthur Kelm to "Tab Hunter" was complete, and he was fast-tracked into the limelight with a name designed to have marquee appeal. Hunter's stage name encapsulated the all-American image that studios and fans of the era cherished: rugged, strong, and undeniably charming. Hunter's screen debut came with a minor role in the 1950 film adaptation of "The Lawless." However, it was his performance in the 1955 movie "Battle Cry," where he played a Marine eager for adventures in love and war, that catapulted him into stardom. His boyish good looks and charisma made him an instant sensation, garnering a fan following that would place him consistently in the Top 10 for Hollywood hunks. As the 1950s rolled on, movies like "The Sea Chase" and "The Burning Hills" only cemented his status. But it was his role in "Damn Yankees" that showcased not just his screen magnetism but also his versatility; he proved to Hollywood that he could hold his own alongside seasoned actors like Gwen Verdon. "Damn Yankees," with its mix of sports, humor, and showstopping numbers, became a critical and commercial success, securing Hunter’s place in Hollywood lore. Parallel to his cinematic endeavors, Hunter's foray into music was as serendipitous as it was successful. With a recording contract with Warner Bros., his 1957 chart-topping single "Young Love" surprised even the industry insiders, marrying his cinematic appeal with an auditory delight. Hunter’s voice, smooth and full of tenor charm, won him a coveted place on television variety shows of the era. Despite his glittering public persona, Hunter’s personal life was shadowed by his concealed sexual orientation. At a time when being openly gay meant the end of a Hollywood career, Hunter maintained a meticulously crafted public image. His relationships, often studio-arranged, such as the much-publicized link with Natalie Wood, kept the tabloids at bay and his career on track. But it was his relationship with figure skater Ronald Robertson and his long-term partner, producer Allan Glaser, that revealed a personal life full of authenticity away from the prying eyes of the public. The 1960s and 70s saw Hunter gradually stepping away from his on-screen duties as Hollywood's new wave shifted cultural paradigms and aesthetic ideals. Nevertheless, he continued to work, taking on varied roles in theater and television, which allowed him to explore creative opportunities beyond the constraints of typecasting that had characterized his early career. In later years, a resurgence in his career came unexpectedly with the cult films "Polyester" and "Lust in the Dust," as he teamed up with camp icon Divine, deftly blending nostalgia with a newfound embrace of past icons. This acceptance of his own history, tinged with humor and resilience, underlined Hunter's evolution as a performer. Hunter's life was not simply that of a Hollywood heartthrob but of an individual who weathered the changing tides of fame with grace and assuredness. His 2005 autobiography, "Tab Hunter Confidential," offered revelations that peeled back layers of Hollywood’s golden era, exposing the grit behind the glamour while offering an honest reflection of his life spent in the peculiar glare of stardom. On July 8, 2018, just days shy of his 87th birthday, Tab Hunter passed away, leaving behind a legacy characterized not merely by his films and records, but by the nuanced intersections of identity and career that he navigated throughout his life. As an icon of a bygone era, Hunter’s story reminds us of the indelible humanity beneath the veneer of fame, and the story of a man who found forgiveness, courage, and authenticity in an industry often devoid of all three.