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Happy 79th birthday to Tab Hunter!
At the Turner Classic Movies film festival in April, I attended a screening of Damn Yankees which was a late addition to the festival.
So it was such a thrill when after the movie ended, out came Tab himself still looking fab. He talked about being the only major cast member not from the Broadway production and how studio head Jack Warner bought the property specifically for him.
A few days earlier, I did a brief interview with Tab (that’s us pictured together outside Grauman’s) and I wondered if life had changed for him much since the publication of his autobiography Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star a few years back.In the book, he not only shared details of his Hollywood hey-day, he also publicly confirmed that he is gay.
“I wrote is because I didn’t want some schmuck writing about me after I was dead and gone,” he said. “I figured get it from the horse’s mouth and not from horse’s ass after I’m no longer here so that’s exactly why I wrote it.”
Tab was closeted during his career as were other stars of his generation (Rock Hudson, Richard Chamberlain etc) and I wondered what he thought of some of these younger actors who are coming out such as Neil Patrick Harris, John Barrowman, Luke Macfarlane etc).
He said: “That’s up to the individual. I never talk about those things. The only thing that’s important is the work and growing as a human being from A to Z. Your growth mentally, physically and spiritually. Those are the three most important things on this journey of life.”
His advice to younger actors, gay or straight: “Put your nose to the grindstone. Ego’s a killer, remember that.”
Tab turns 79 years young today and believe me, he is still looking fit! He says his life is good these days: “I live in Santa Barbara and I write and I work in my garden. I’ve got my dogs and my horse and I’ve got some nice friends. I’m doing all right for an old man.”
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Perry says:
I am a HUGE Tab Hunter fan! And you are right – he was BEYOND gorgeous. Check out my blog and thank you for the great site and pictures!!! Any suggestions on how to make it better?
Take care of yourself and thanks for all that you do!
Perry
Clay says:
Big Fan of his too…..I think he’s great!
Pamela says:
You might be interested in an upcoming dinner event with Tab. He will be talking about his book, telling stories and answering questions from the audience. Bruce Vilanch is our emcee. The event is October 12, 2010 at the Avalon in Hollywood, CA. Check out our website http://www.pawsla.org for more information.
Bob Diamond says:
Happy 79th Tab.
Tommy says:
I remember him from the days I was starting out in Dallas as a Bartender, but danced 1st,,,still wished I had gone home with him to this day,,,lordy that would have made my day at the eight day! He made me feel so good about myself that I did continue to dance and bartend amongst so may other things in my life. Wow had it not been for him and Rock Hudson I probably would have never finished what i started as a Visual person in retail..Thanks!!!! Tommy
Jarrod Besser says:
Happy birthday stud, you still got it, baby
mike says:
@Tommy-where and when did you meet Hunter? And he asked you to go home with him?…..WOOOW!Why didn’t you go?
Noelle Drew says:
Oh God, what a hunk of burning love……what a man, and so sweet..you can see it in Damnyankee’s.It just shines threw…Glad to see all is well with him. Kiss