Very sad news out of Hollywood that screen legend and LGBTQ Icon Tab Hunter has passed away. A few years ago Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ had the opportunity to talk to Tab in this exclusive audio interview about his work and autobiography “Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star” by Eddie Muller and Tab Hunter that was made into the fabulous documentary by filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz. Interestingly Hunter talks about the importance about writing his biography in his own words rather than having it written by someone who didn’t know him after he died.
When asked about the documentary Tab stated, “Well you know we’re all on a journey and that was my journey, take it or leave it, that was it. Unfortunately we couldn’t put everything in it, there’s just so much you can do in that amount of time.” Our interview is filled with Hunter’s personal Hollywood stories that we feel so privileged to share with our global audience. One especially moving was when asked what advise he would give young LGBT kids dealing with bullying Tab stated, “I’m not a good one on advise, but I have to tell you a story that’s really interesting. Years ago I was doing a television show with Geraldine Page who was a brilliant actress and I said ‘God you know Gerry, the press they love you and they just hate my guts. They’re just despicable to me and I feel terrible about this.’ She grabbed hold of my arm and said ‘Remember this Tab. If people don’t like you that’s their bad taste.’ I thought Whoa, that’s powerful. I thought, I’m going to apply that to my life and furthermore pass that along to every person I know particularly young people because they don’t have the support and guidance while they’re growing up.”
Tab Hunter appeared in over 40 films. His breakout role in 1951 at age nineteen was with Samuel Goldwyn Studios in “The Lawless”. His Southern California “golden boy” good looks catapulted him to overnight matinee idol stardom and he enjoyed a robust film career throughout the 1950’s and 60’s. The 1970’s started out strong including a leading role in John Huston’s “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” starring Paul Newman but work began to wane in the later 70’s. A call from filmmaker and fan John Waters catapulted Hunter back into the limelight and took him into a new, freer direction with the now cult classic comedy “Polyester” in 1981 starring the infamous drag icon Divine.
Tab Hunter is survived by his partner Allan Glaser, who is currently working on a film about Tab’s relationship with actor Anthony Perkins.
For More Info: tabhunter.com
1 comment:
A wonderful interview, both warm and personal, with some important messages for all.
Thank you for sharing your moments with Tab.
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