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Jeffrey Hunter
1926-1969
Updated 2/29/2008 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born Henry McKinnies in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November 1926, screen idol Jeffrey Hunter nursed early ambitions to be an actor. By the mid 1940s, he had done quite a bit of local radio work and community theater. Hunter enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school, and after his discharge in 1946, he attended Northwestern University. After graduating in 1949, he appeared in David Bradley's 16mm production of Julius Caesar, filmed in Chicago. Hunter soon left Chicago to enter graduate school at the University of California-Los Angeles. He was discovered on the opening night of a UCLA production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons in May 1950, and signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox that same month. Just a few months later, Hunter met gorgeous actress Barbara Rush, and the couple married in December 1950.
Hunter with Barbara Rush in the early 1950s
Throughout Hunter's career, he was often cast in war films and westerns, at which he excelled. Careerwise, his best year was 1956; he starred five big pictures, including the westerns The Searchers (with John Wayne), The Proud Ones (with Robert Ryan), and Gun for a Coward (with Fred MacMurray). Hunter also starred in Disney's The Great Locomotive Chase (with Fess Parker) and the United Artists thriller A Kiss Before Dying (with Robert Wagner and Virginia Leith.
Early in his film career, 20th Century Fox served up many beefcake photos of Jeffrey Hunter. The far right image includes fellow 20th Century Fox contract player Robert Wagner
the films of jeffrey hunter
Fourteen Hours (1951)
At Fox, Hunter was often paired with beautiful Debra Paget, with whom he acted in five films. These photos are from the thriller Fourteen Hours
Belles on Their Toes (1952)
With Jeanne Crain in Belles on Their Toes
Princess of the Nile (1954)
With Debra Paget in the 20th Century Fox release Princess of the Nile
Seven Cities of Gold (1955)
Hunter as Matuwir in Seven Cities of Gold
The Proud Ones (1956)
LEFT: Behind-the-scenes photo of Jeffrey Hunter on the set. RIGHT: With Virginia Mayo and Robert Ryan.
Gun for a Coward (1956)
From the Universal-International western Gun for a Coward with Fred MacMurray
The Searchers (1956)
From the Warner Bros. release The Searchers with Natalie Wood
Count Five and Die (1958)
From the British-made 20th Century Fox war picture Count Five and Die
Sergeant Rutledge (1960)
From the John Ford western Sergeant Rutledge, released by Warner Bros.
Man-Trap (1961)
Stella Stevens portrays Hunter's faithless alcoholic wife in Paramount's Man-Trap
King of Kings (1961)
As Jesus Christ in the big-budget epic King of Kings
Gold for the Caesars (1963)
Stills from Gold for the Caesars (1963)
Temple Houston (1963-1964 NBC TV series)
LEFT: From The Man From Galveston with Kevin Hagen. CENTER: Promotional still from Temple Houston. RIGHT: On the set with actress Bea Ballance
Brainstorm (1965)
With Anne Francis in the Warner Bros. feature Brainstorm
Murieta (1965)
From the Spanish production Murieta with Arthur Kennedy
Star Trek: The Cage (1965)
From The Cage. Hunter portrayed Captain Pike. Also pictured is Leonard Nimoy
The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968)
LEFT: From the United Artists war comedy The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell, which also starred Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller. RIGHT: With stage actress Sally Ann Howes in 1968, around the time of the film's release
later years
Upon leaving Fox in 1958, Hunter freelanced in many films at a variety of studios, including the Warner Bros. western Sergeant Rutledge (1960; with Constance Towers), the Allied Artists picture Hell to Eternity (1960; with David Janssen, and MGM's Key Witness (1960; with Dennis Hopper). Hunter starred as Jesus Christ in perhaps the biggest picture of his career, MGM's epic King of Kings (1961; with Viveca Lindfors). Inexplicably, Hunter's fortunes in Hollywood began to erode in the early 1960s. He began making films in Europe, as many other actors such as Lex Barker and Guy Madison had done. One of his earliest was the 1963 French/Italian co-production Gold for the Caesars.
In 1963 Hunter signed a two-year contract with Warner Bros., where he starred in the TV series Temple Houston. About 30 episodes of the hour-long western were filmed before the series was canceled in 1964. Hunter's 1963 film The Man From Galveston was originally the pilot episode of Temple Houston. And in late 1964, Hunter starred in Star Trek: The Cage, the first pilot episode for the NBC series Star Trek. The completed pilot never aired (at least not until 1988), because NBC rejected the pilot and ordered a new one. Hunter opted out of the second pilot and returned to Europe and Asia to act in such films as Strange Portrait (filmed in 1966 but never released; all prints were destroyed in a Hong Kong fire) and A Witch Without a Broom (1967).
Barbara Rush and Hunter parted ways in 1955. Hunter remarried in 1957 and divorced again ten years later. After an engagement to actress Sally Ann Howes, Hunter married actress Emily McLaughlin in February 1969 following a whirlwind courtship. McLaughlin is best known for her role as Nurse Jessie Brewer on the ABC-TV soap General Hospital from 1963 through 1990. Sadly, Hunter passed away after a fall on May 27, 1969, at the age of 42.
Star Trek: Season One [DVD](1966) DVD
All 29 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The Man Trap," "Where No Man Has Gone Before," the two-part "The Menagerie," "Balance of Terror," "This Side of Paradise," and "The City on the Edge of Forever"--are featured, in their original broadcast order, in an eight-disc set. 24 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; featurettes.
Star Trek: The Menagerie (Parts I & II) VHS
Spock is tried for mutiny when he hijacks the Enterprise to a mysterious forbidden world. Incorporates the original ``Trek'' pilot with Jeffrey Hunter as Capt. Pike. 103 min.
Fourteen Hours [DVD](1951) DVD
Noirish drama focuses on a distraught young man who climbs onto a window ledge of a New York City skyscraper and threatens to jump if anyone approaches him. In an attempt to avert tragedy, a compassionate police officer and the man's family try to convince him that life is worth living while observers watch from below--including a young couple who fall in love amidst the chaos. Richard Basehart, Paul Douglas, Barbara Bel Geddes, and--in her film debut--Grace Kelly star. 92 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
The Frogmen [DVD](1951) DVD
Thrilling World War II drama stars Richard Widmark as a cold Navy commander who takes over a team of frogmen following the death of their beloved leader. While trying to get out of the shadow of his predecessor, Widmark discovers that his harsh exterior is causing dissension amongst his men. But after he helps diffuse a bomb aboard a ship, he slowly begins to win the respect of his crew as they prepare for a daring mission. With Dana Andrews, Gary Merrill, Jeffrey Hunter. 96 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Belles On Their Toes [DVD](1952) DVD
Heartfelt and funny sequel to 1950's "Cheaper by the Dozen" finds the widowed Myrna Loy trying to fend for herself and her 12 kids. After receiving rejections from potential employers because of her gender, Loy takes a job training engineers for Edward Arnold's company. Meanwhile, eldest daughter Jeanne Crain finds romance with young physician Jeffrey Hunter. With Debra Paget, Hoagy Carmichael. 89 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Sailor Of The King [DVD](1953) DVD
The time period of C.S. Forester's novel "Brown on Resolution" was changed from World War I to World War II in this gripping adaptation. The illegitimate son of a high-ranking British Naval officer is marooned on a German-occupied island after his ship is torpedoed. Now, he must find a way to detain an enemy cruiser from leaving port until his father's fleet arrives. Jeffrey Hunter, Michael Rennie, Peter van Eyck star. AKA: "Single-Handed." 83 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; alternate ending; photo gallery.
White Feather [DVD](1955) DVD
Accompanying an army colonel (John Lund) as the U.S. military peacefully resettles a Cheyenne tribe away from valuable Wyoming land, a land surveyor (Robert Wagner) places the fragile truce between the whites and Indians in jeopardy when he falls in love with the daughter of tribesman Little Dog (Jeffrey Hunter). This scorching Western drama set in the 1870s also stars Debra Paget, Noah Beery, Jr., and Eduard Franz. 102 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround stereo, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
The Great Locomotive Chase [DVD](1956) DVD
Based on a true story (the same one that inspired Buster Keaton's "The General"), this rousing Disney Civil War drama stars Fess Parker as the leader of a band of Union soldiers known as Andrew's Raiders, who commandeer a Southern train and are pursued by Confederate forces. With Jeffrey Hunter, Jeff York. 88 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French.
The Searchers [DVD](1956) DVD
One of the most complex and acclaimed Westerns ever made, director John Ford's moody tale stars John Wayne as a Civil War veteran whose settler brother's family is attacked by the Comanche. Joined by a half-breed youth raised by the family, Wayne begins an all-consuming search for his surviving niece, whom the Indians abducted. Jeffrey Hunter, Natalie Wood, Ward Bond also star. 144 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; filmographies; theatrical trailer; documentary segments; scene access.
The Searchers [Blu-ray](1956)
One of the most complex and acclaimed Westerns ever made, director John Ford's moody tale stars John Wayne as a Civil War veteran whose settler brother's family is attacked by the Comanche. Joined by a half-breed youth raised by the family, Wayne begins an all-consuming quest to find his surviving niece, whom the Indians abducted. Jeffrey Hunter, Natalie Wood, Ward Bond also star. 119 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish.
A Kiss Before Dying [DVD](1956) DVD
Moody and effective suspenser features a cast-against-type Robert Wagner as a psychotic charmer who kills his pregnant girlfriend and then begins a romance with her sister, who, unaware of Wagner's identity, is investigating the woman's mysterious death. Based on an Ira Levin novel; Virginia Leith, Jeffrey Hunter, Joanne Woodward and Mary Astor also star. 94 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
The Proud Ones [DVD](1956) DVD
Robert Ryan stars in this dramatic oater as Marshal Silver, struggling to maintain law and order in a quiet Kansas town after the arrival of trail herds from Texas. Silver faces additional danger when Thad Anderson (Jeffrey Hunter), the son of a gunman killed by Silver, comes into town. Silver tries to take the young cowboy under his wing, but the thirst for revenge may prove too strong. 94 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround stereo, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Classic Western Collection: The Outlaws [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set includes "Broken Lance," "The Proud Ones," "Forty Guns," and "The Culpepper Cattle Co."
The True Story Of Jesse James [DVD](1957) DVD
The director of "Rebel Without a Cause" turns to one of history's most notorious rebels--Jesse James--for this thrill-packed oater. Nicholas Ray's biographical Western stars Robert Wagner as James and deals with the final 18 years of the bandit's life, as he struggles to evade the law, leave his life of crime, and answer to his wife (Hope Lange) and mother (Agnes Moorehead). Jeffrey Hunter, Alan Hale, Jr., and John Carradine also star. AKA: "The James Brothers." 92 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; newsreel footage; theatrical trailer.
The Last Hurrah [DVD](1958) DVD
John Ford directed this dramatic look at political cronyism in a large Eastern city. Spencer Tracy stars as a popular mayor who finds himself at odds with the powerful machine as he runs for re-election. Great supporting cast includes Pat O'Brien, John Carradine, Donald Crisp and Jeffrey Hunter. 121 min. Widescreen (Enhanced) and Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; production notes; theatrical trailers; scene access.
John Ford Film Collection [DVD] DVD
In "The Lost Patrol" (1934), a British military squad in World War I is lost in the desert and must fend off attacks by the Arabs. Victor McLaglen, Boris Karloff, Wallace Ford star. Next, set in 1922 Dublin, "The Informer" (1935) is the story of a member of the Irish rebellion who betrays a friend in order to collect the reward money and lives to regret it. McLaglen (in an Oscar-winning performance), Heather Angel, Preston Foster star. "Mary of Scotland" (1936) is a lush historical drama with Katharine Hepburn as Mary Queen of Scots, who defies her British cousin Elizabeth I (Florence Eldridge), taking the Earl Bothwell (Fredric March) as her second husband. John Carradine co-stars. The groundbreaking Western "Sergeant Rutledge" (1960) (1960) stars Woody Strode as a black cavalryman falsely accused of murdering his white commanding officer and raping and killing the man's daughter. With Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Towers. And, Ford's final Western, "Cheyenne Autumn" (1964) follows a band of Cheyenne Indians' perilous trek from an Oklahoma reservation to their ancestral land in Wyoming. Richard Widmark, Carroll Baker, Edward G. Robinson, and James Stewart star. Five-disc set.
Hell To Eternity [DVD](1960) DVD
Jeffrey Hunter shines in this wonderful film based on the life of Guy Gabaldon, a Hispanic man from Los Angeles who was raised by his Japanese-American foster parents in the 1930s. While his mother and father are imprisoned in an internment camp during World War II, Gabaldon helps lead his Marine unit to victory against the Japanese on the island of Saipan. With David Janssen, Vic Damone, Patricia Owens. 132 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French.
World War II Collection, Vol. 2: Heroes Fight For Freedom [DVD] DVD
Six-disc set includes "Air Force," "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," "Command Decision," "Hell to Eternity," "The Hill" (1965), and "36 Hours."
King Of Kings [DVD](1961) DVD
The life of Christ, from the Nativity to the Resurrection, is sensitively told in Nicholas Ray's powerful drama. The all-star cast includes Siobhan McKenna as Mary, Robert Ryan as John the Baptist, Rip Torn as Judas, and Jeffrey Hunter in the title role. 171 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurettes; theatrical trailer.
The Longest Day (Special Edition) [DVD](1962) DVD
Acclaimed as one of Hollywood's greatest epics, producer Darryl F. Zanuck's re-creation of the Allied landing at Normandy on June 6, 1944 follows the grand-scale drama and personal stories of D-Day. International all-star cast includes John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Rod Steiger, Richard Burton, Red Buttons, Sean Connery, Mel Ferrer, Robert Ryan. 178 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 4.0, Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; interview; photo gallery; theatrical trailer. Two-disc set.
No Man Is An Island [DVD](1962) DVD
Jeffrey Hunter excels as real-life World War II hero George R. Tweed, who was stranded on Guam after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Tweed eluded the Japanese military for years, then played an important part in the Allied invasion of the island by sending signals from a hidden outpost. Marshall Thompson, Barbara Perez also star. 114 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish.
Dimension 5 [DVD](1966) DVD
Sci-fi spy caper stars dashing Jeffrey Hunter and sexy France Nuyen as agents of Espionage, Inc. who must use time-travel belts to stop a Communist organization's plot to nuke Los Angeles. Will the intrepid pair stop Big Buddha (Harold Sakata) in time...and what is Nuyen's secret agenda in wanting to confront the dastardly Chinese villain? Donald Woods, Linda Ho co-star. AKA: "Dimension Four." 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
A Guide For The Married Man [DVD](1967) DVD
Gene Kelly directs this delicious farce that finds faithful husband Walter Matthau contemplating stepping out on wife Inger Stevens. To get lessons in infidelity, Matthau consults philandering pal Robert Morse, whose advice plays out in a series of hilarious vignettes, boasting appearances by Lucille Ball, Art Carney, Jayne Mansfield, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, Carl Reiner, and Jack Benny; features the hit title song performed by The Turtles. 91 min. Standard and Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.
Find A Place To Die [DVD](1968) DVD
When her brother is killed by outlaws after her family's gold mine claim, a young woman seeks help from an embittered Confederate soldier-turned-gunman for hire in saving her claim and getting revenge. Jeffrey Hunter, Pascale Petit and Piero Lulli star. AKA: "Joe! Find a Place to Die." 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailers; scene access.
Find A Place To Die(1968) VHS
When her brother is killed by outlaws after her family's gold mine claim, a young woman seeks help from an embittered Confederate soldier-turned-gunman for hire in saving her claim and getting revenge. Jeffrey Hunter, Pascale Petit and Piero Lulli star. AKA: "Joe! Find a Place to Die." 89 min.
The Private Navy Of Sgt. O'Farrell [DVD](1968) DVD
Stuck on a remote Pacific post during World War II, Army sergeant Bob Hope tries to improve his men's morale by bringing in some attractive nurses and winds up with...Phyllis Diller? Thank goodness Gina Lollobrigida shows up on a life raft! Wacky war comedy also stars Jeffrey Hunter, Mako. 92 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Custer Of The West [DVD](1968) DVD
Robert Shaw stars as the maverick Army officer who, while losing his life in a bitter defeat, became a legend of the American frontier, in this sweeping historical saga. Follows Custer's life from his Civil War exploits to his controversy-plagued career out West and the final showdown at Little Big Horn. Jeffrey Hunter, Mary Ure, Ty Hardin also star. 141 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
filmography
FILM
Viva América! (1969) with Margaret Lee
Super Colt 38 (1969) with Pedro Armendariz Jr.
Frau Wirtin hat auch einen Grafen (1968)
Find a Place to Die (1968)
The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968) with Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Gina Lollobrigida, William Wellman Jr., and Dick Sargent
A Witch Without a Broom (1967)
Joe Navidad (1967) with Louis Hayward
Custer of the West (1967) with Ty Hardin, Robert Shaw, Lawrence Tierney, Robert Ryan, and Kieron Moore
A Guide for the Married Man (1967) with Walter Matthau, Inger Stevens, Sue Ane Langdon, and Robert Morse
Dimension 5 (1966) with France Nuyen and Harold Sakata
Strange Portrait (1966) never released; now a lost film
Murieta (1965) with Arthur Kennedy
Star Trek (1965) TV series pilot
Brainstorm (1965) with Anne Francis, Dana Andrews, and Viveca Lindfors
Gold for the Caesars (1963)
The Man From Galveston (1963) with Preston Foster, Joanna Moore, and James Coburn
The Longest Day (1962) with Richard Burton, John Wayne, Sean Connery, Ray Danton, and an all-star cast
No Man Is an Island (1962) with Marshall Thompson
King of Kings (1961) with Viveca Lindfors, Rip Torn, and Robert Ryan
Man-Trap (1961) with Stella Stevens and David Janssen
Hell to Eternity (1960) with David Janssen
Key Witness (1960) with Dennis Hopper
Sergeant Rutledge (1960) with Constance Towers and Woody Strode
Count Five and Die (1958) with Nigel Patrick
In Love and War (1958) with Robert Wagner and Dana Wynter
The Last Hurrah (1958) with Spencer Tracy, Basil Rathbone, and John Carradine
No Down Payment (1957) with Tony Randall, Sheree North, Joanne Woodward, and Barbara Rush
The True Story of Jesse James (1957) with Robert Wagner, Hope Lange, and Agnes Moorehead
The Way to the Gold (1957) with Sheree North, Barry Sullivan, and Walter Brennan
The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) with Fess Parker, John Lupton, and George Robotham
Gun for a Coward (1956) with Fred MacMurray, Janice Rule, Betty Lynn, and Chill Wills
A Kiss Before Dying (1956) with Robert Wagner, Virginia Leith, Joanne Woodward, and Mary Astor
The Proud Ones (1956) with Virginia Mayo, Robert Ryan, Ken Clark, Whit Bissell, and Edward Platt
The Searchers (1956) with John Wayne, Natalie Wood, and Vera Miles
Seven Angry Men (1955) with Raymond Massey, Debra Paget, and Guy Williams
Seven Cities of Gold (1955) with Richard Egan, Anthony Quinn, Michael Rennie, and Rita Moreno
White Feather (1955) with Robert Wagner, Debra Paget, and Virginia Leith
Princess of the Nile (1954) with Debra Paget, Michael Rennie, Lee Van Cleef, and Merry Anders
Three Young Texans (1954) with Keefe Brasselle and Mitzi Gaynor
Single-Handed (1953) with Michael Rennie and Bernard Lee
Belles on Their Toes (1952) with Jeanne Crain, Debra Paget, and Myrna Loy
Dreamboat (1952) with Anne Francis, Ginger Rogers, Clifton Webb, Elsa Lanchester, and Ray Collins
Lure of the Wilderness (1952) with Jean Peters and Walter Brennan
Red Skies of Montana (1952) with Richard Widmark, Richard Boone, and Warren Stevens
Fourteen Hours (1951) with Richard Basehart, Debra Paget, Paul Douglas, Barbara Bel Geddes, Agnes Moorehead, Martin Gabel, and Grace Kelly
The Frogmen (1951) with Richard Widmark, Dana Andrews, Warren Stevens, Gary Merrill, Harvey Lembeck, Robert Wagner, and Robert Rockwell
Take Care of My Little Girl (1951) with Dale Robertson, Jeanne Crain, Betty Lynn, Mitzi Gaynor, and Jean Peters
Call Me Mister (1951) with Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Dale Robertson, and Danny Thomas
Julius Caesar (1950)
TELEVISION
Temple Houston, 1963-1964 NBC TV series
jeffrey hunter links
A Tribute to Jeffrey Hunter
This is a great devoted to Jeffrey Hunter and his films. look for biographical information, a filmography, and plot synopses. Also, you'll find extensive photo galleries containing more than 100 photos from the webmaster's private collection. A great site for all Jeffrey Hunter fans!
Star Trek: The Original Series Website
You'll find a lot of information about Jeffrey Hunter within this site. Also, there are two fascinating mid-1960s interviews with Hunter.
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This page premiered July 14, 2000.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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