Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
When it comes to careers in Hollywood, Tab Hunter's trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In the 1950s, the remarkably handsome star could be seen just about everywhere - movies, talk shows, commercials, the list goes on.
But behind all the glitz and glamour, Tab Hunter was keeping a secret - he was gay.
Hunter's struggle with his own identity and his highs and lows in Hollywood are chronicled in a new documentary called "Tab Hunter Confidential."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfTiAAHYhyw
To listen to the full interview, click on the blue audio player above.
On labels
I'm very interested in women, I love being around women. People assume that just because you're gay that you don't like women. I love women, that's just a ridiculous thing.
That's just like putting a label on you... I am more concerned with human beings, and the most important thing is what kind of a human being are you.
On leading gay actors in Hollywood -- Then and Now
You know a leading man, or a leading woman -- I don't know of any who are gay today, and certainly not then. I mean that is a thing that just those who make films won't invest in.
I mean you can find characters. You can find comedians, and the best friend of and so forth...but an out-and-out leading male or female to this day is still the same. That is what I've seen.
On his relationships with the studios
All I know is that those studios in the old days would build you to what they wanted. I was the all-American boy, Jimmy Dean was the rebel...
I was not comfortable in that skin but I did what the studio asked me to do -- a lot of times like taking dates out to premiers and all that -- because that's what they wanted me to do.
If I didn't, I was out and they would ask someone else.
It's a job, so do it to the best of your ability or let someone else who will.