He enlisted in the Coast Guard at age 15 (he lied about his age) and, at 18 made his film debut in The Lawless. He had no previous acting experience. Though his acting was stiff and unimaginative, 1950s teenagers adored his blond, boy-next-door appearance and physique. His best-known early film was Battle Cry. The role most remembered today is the part of Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees!. In 1960-1 he had his own TV series The Tab Hunter Show, and he appeared regularly as George Shumway in TV's Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He co-starred three times with female impersonator Divine: Polyester, Out of the Dark, and Lust in the Dust. He wrote the story for his most recent (his 32nd) movie Dark Horse, directed by David Hemmings.
Had a #1 hit record, "Young Love", in 1956. Born at 3:00am EDT His bare chest was chosen to adorn the cover of Donald Reuter's book: "Shirtless! The Hollywood Male Physique." He co-executive produced and hosted the cable television series Hollywood on Horses. Following the likes of Richard Chamberlain, Tab released his tell-all 2005 memoir revealing his homosexuality. The book entitled "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star" outlines a late 1950s relationship with actor Anthony Perkins that lasted several years. Other briefer flings mentioned included dancer Rudolf Nureyev, actor Scott Marlowe and ice-skater Ronnie Robertson. The book was actually written in 2003 but held in release for two years. Was once arrested following an L.A. raid on a "pajama party" in Walnut Park in 1950. Tab was eventually fined $50 for a reduced "disorderly conduct" charge after originally being charged with "idle, lewd or dissolute conduct." The name "Tab Hunter" came from agent Henry Willson who wanted to "tab" the actor wannabe with a catchy new name. "Hunter" came from his skills as a horseman who rode hunters and jumpers. Had a lifelong love for horses. The younger of two boys, older brother Walt died in Vietnam in 1965 leaving seven children. On December 23, 1980, he suffered a heart attack at age 49 while skiing in Taos, New Mexico. In March, 1991 he suffered a stroke. He recovered from both.