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Morning Man Classic: Jeffrey Hunter!
Jeffrey Hunter may not have been the most famous actor, but he sure was one of the most handsome.
His most famous roles are as John Wayne’s character’s sidekick in The Searchers, as Jesus Christ in the biblical film King of Kings, and as Capt. Christopher Pike in the original pilot episode of Star Trek. He also made a few films with Robert Wagner so I’ve included several photos of them together. I think they would have made a very handsome couple!
After serving in the US Navy during WWII, Hunter studied theater at Northwestern University (Charlton Heston was a classmate) then went on to graduate school at UCLA where he was discovered by talent scouts at 20th Century Fox.
He went on the appear in such films as The Longest Day, The Last Hurrah, and Sergeant Rutledge.
Hunter turned to television in 1963 to star in the NBC series Temple Houston which lasted one season then he filmed the original pilot episode for Star Trek. When NBC requested a second Star Trek pilot, Hunter decided not to participate.
Hunter was just 42 when he was injured in an on-set explosion in 1969 on the set of the film Viva America! in Spain. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on the flight back to the US. Although he recovered, he suffered a second cerebral hemorrhage a short time later and died during surgery.
At the time of his death, Hunter was married to actress Emily McLaughlin known to General Hospital as Jesse Brewer. He had previously married to actress Barbara Rush with whom he had a son.
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
K. Martinez says:
Fantastic choice for “Morning Man Classic”! Jeffrey Hunter is one of my biggest crushes from Hollywood of the past. The man was just painfully beautiful. Even though he wasn’t an A-list actor, I watched quite a few of his films and work on television just because he was in them. Thanks, Greg!
Deb says:
Hunter was beyond gorgeous. He held is own against John Wayne as Martin in The Searchers – a tough feat – and turned in a nuanced performance in Hell To Eternity.
Willy wilson says:
I am a former Marine from The Nam Trip. I saw the Saipan movie when I was a punk kid. Jeffery, his character, as being a nice guy, non confrontational, clean cut guy, was a role model for me. I was and still am an honest human being who loves his fellow man. That still stands with the hate that that the school and college system spews out. You must let the spite and hate emit into the sewer where it belongs. Look into Jefferies eyes and see that there is no discourse and hate in them. I’m going to turn the movie on and see “One” that God wanted back, Rikky Tick.
Janet Brown says:
Jeffry was a beautiful man. It’s so wonderful to know he was inside also. I was so saddened to hear of his death.
I try to watch every movie he’s in. Right now I’m watching “A Kiss Before Dying”. I want to buy every movie he’s in.
Eseip says:
A beautiful man, a wonderful actor! I love him in King of Kings! I was just five years old when this film was made. When I saw the film for the first time, I was twelve years old – at the time I thought he was Jesus! I think it’s a loss that he passed away so early. King of Kings, for me it’s the movie of the movies! Thanks for that.
Dave says:
Movie. No Man Is An Island
One of our favs.