Tab Hunter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tab Hunter
Hunter in 2008
Born	Arthur Andrew Kelm (1931-07-11)July 11, 1931 Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Died	July 8, 2018(2018-07-08) (aged 86) Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Resting place	Santa Barbara Cemetery, California, U.S.
Other names	Art Gelien
Occupation	Actor singer film producer writer
Years active	1950–2015
Spouse(s)	Allan Glaser ​ (m. 2013)​

Tab Hunter (born Arthur Andrew Kelm; July 11, 1931 – July 8, 2018) was an American actor, singer, film producer, and writer. He was famous for his good looks and starred in over 40 movies. In the 1950s and 1960s, he was a very popular star in Hollywood.

Some of his well-known films include Battle Cry (1955) and Damn Yankees (1958). Tab Hunter also had a successful music career. In 1957, his song "Young Love" became a number one hit. His book, Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star, was a bestseller.

Early Life and Beginnings

Arthur Andrew Kelm was born in Manhattan, New York City. His parents divorced when he was very young. He grew up in California with his mother, brother, and grandparents. His mother changed their last name to Gelien.

As a teenager, Arthur Gelien was a talented figure skater. He competed in both singles and pairs. He also joined the United States Coast Guard at age 15, though he was too young. He was known as "Hollywood" because he loved watching movies. When his real age was found out, he left the Coast Guard. Later, he met actor Dick Clayton, who suggested he try acting.

Becoming a Movie Star

Starting in Films

Dick Clayton introduced Arthur Gelien to an agent named Henry Willson. Willson gave him the stage name "Tab Hunter."

Hunter's first small movie role was in The Lawless (1950). His first big role came in Island of Desire (1952). He starred opposite Linda Darnell in this film, which became a hit.

He then appeared in Westerns like Gun Belt (1953). He also starred in the adventure film Return to Treasure Island (1954). Soon after, he signed a contract with Warner Bros..

Hunter with Natalie Wood at the 28th Academy Awards in 1956

One of his early films for Warner Bros. was The Sea Chase (1955). He acted alongside famous stars like John Wayne and Lana Turner. His role was small, but the movie was very popular.

Breakthrough Success

Tab Hunter's career really took off with the 1955 World War II movie Battle Cry. He played a young Marine named Danny. This film was one of the biggest hits of the year. It made Hunter one of Hollywood's top young romantic leads.

In 1956, he was voted the "Most Promising New Personality." He even received 62,000 valentines from fans! Warner Bros. tried to make him a famous duo with actress Natalie Wood. They starred together in The Burning Hills (1956) and The Girl He Left Behind (1956). Both movies were very successful. From 1955 to 1959, Tab Hunter was Warner Bros.' most popular male star.

Hunter (right) with Anthony Perkins and Peter Potter on the TV show Juke Box Jury (1957)

Hunter also received praise for his acting on television. He appeared in the first episode of Playhouse 90 in 1956.

His acting career continued to be very strong. He starred in the war film Lafayette Escadrille (1958). He also made the Western Gunman's Walk (1958), which he was very proud of. In 1958, he starred in the musical film Damn Yankees. He played Joe Hardy, a baseball player. He also had roles in They Came to Cordura (1959) with Gary Cooper and That Kind of Woman (1959) with Sophia Loren.

Music Career Highlights

Hunter in the 1950s

Tab Hunter had a huge hit song in 1957 called "Young Love." It was number one on the charts for six weeks in the U.S. and seven weeks in the UK. It sold over two million copies!

He had another popular song, "Ninety-Nine Ways," which reached number 11 in the U.S. His success in music led Warner Bros. to create their own record label, Warner Bros. Records, just for him.

Later Career and Projects

Television and Stage

Hunter in 1959

In 1960, Tab Hunter starred in his own weekly television show, The Tab Hunter Show. It ran for one season and was very popular in the United Kingdom.

He also starred in the romantic comedy The Pleasure of His Company (1961). He then played the lead in an Italian adventure film, The Golden Arrow (1962). In 1964, he acted on Broadway in a play called The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore.

Hunter continued to appear in movies like Ride the Wild Surf (1964) and War Gods of the Deep (1965). He also performed in many summer stock and dinner theater shows. For a time, he lived in France and acted in Italian films.

1970s and 1980s Comeback

In the 1970s, Hunter had the main role in the film Sweet Kill (1973). He also had a co-starring role in the Western The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972) with Paul Newman. He appeared in TV shows like Forever Fernwood in 1977.

Tab Hunter's career saw a comeback in the 1980s. He starred in the films Polyester (1981) and Lust in the Dust (1985). He also played Mr. Stuart, the substitute teacher, in the musical Grease 2 (1982).

Final Years and Autobiography

Hunter's last film role was in the horse-themed movie Dark Horse (1992). He loved horses and even wrote the original story for this film. He also co-produced it with his partner, Allan Glaser.

In 2005, Hunter released his autobiography, Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star. It became a New York Times bestseller. A documentary film based on his book, also called Tab Hunter Confidential, was released in 2015. This documentary won awards and was produced by Allan Glaser.

Tab Hunter has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his music. In 2007, he also received a Golden Palm Star in Palm Springs.

Personal Life

Hunter with Debbie Reynolds in January 2016

Tab Hunter was raised in the Catholic faith and remained a practicing Catholic for most of his life. He was a passionate horse owner. He was in a long-term relationship with film producer Allan Glaser, whom he married in 2013.

Death

Tab Hunter passed away on July 8, 2018, just three days before his 87th birthday. His death was sudden and unexpected.

Filmography

Television

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Tab Hunter para niños