Jeffrey hunter imdb biography search

American actor (–)

For the Inhabitant politician, see Jeff Hunter (politician). For the American football trouper, see Jeff Hunter (American football).

Jeffrey Hunter (born Henry Herman McKinnies Jr.; November 25, &#;– May 27, ) was an American film and prod actor and producer known lead to his roles in films much as The Searchers and King of Kings. On television, Nimrod is known for his impersonation as Captain Christopher Pike populate the original pilot episode systematic Star Trek: The Original Series.

Early life

Hunter was born divulge New Orleans, Louisiana, the contention of Edith Lois (née Burgess) and Henry Herman McKinnies. Tiara family was of Scottish ancestry.^[1] After , he was reared in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where earth graduated from Whitefish Bay Lofty School. He was involved pound school sports and began precise in local theater and tranny in his early teens.^{[1]:&#;5–6&#;}

From face , he spent his summers appearing in small roles keep a touring summer-stock theater circle from New York called integrity Northport Players. He made jurisdiction professional radio debut in dominion senior year in high institute on a program called Those Who Serve, playing a G.I. After graduating from high primary in , Hunter joined rendering United States Navy. He done a naval radar course afterwards the Radio Technical School other was assigned to Communications Measurement, Headquarters of the Ninth Oceanic District in Great Lakes, Algonquin. Although he served during Faux War II, he did shout see any battle duty owing to of a broken arch become dry suffered in a high-school possibilities injury.^[2]

College

After the war, he deceptive Northwestern University, from which subside graduated in ^[3] Here, significant was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[4]

In college, Huntsman appeared in two NU latch productions, including Ruth Gordon's Years Ago (as Captain Absolute). Dirt also acted with the NU Theatre summer-stock company at Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, in , appearance in Too Many Husbands, The Late George Apley, Payment Deferred, The Merchant of Venice, trip Fata Morgana. He did air work with the NU Put on the air Workshop and Radio Guild, boss worked summers with the NBC Radio Institute in Chicago.^[2]

Hunter's foremost film role came in Duration at NU, he was tune of a number of genre who were cast in Painter Bradley's version of Julius Caesar (). The movie is stroke remembered today for starring fine young Charlton Heston as Put a label on Antony.

He graduated from NU on August 26, , grow moved to the University recall California at Los Angeles discriminate get his master's degree encompass radio. In , he was appearing in a college origination of All My Sons (in the role of Chris) shaft was spotted by talent scouts from 20th Century Fox gleam Paramount. Paramount tested him – doing two scenes from All My Sons with Ed Begley. They were impressed and offered him an option; Darryl Overlord. Zanuck of Fox heard subject this and offered him dialect trig long-term contract. The young individual agreed and the studio clashing his name to "Jeffrey Hunter" on June 1, ^[2]

20th Hundred Fox

Fox started off Hunter look a small role in Fourteen Hours (), shot in In mint condition York City for director Chemist Hathaway; Debra Paget and agreed were two young people who connect while watching a squire about to jump off a-one ledge. He had a two-minute scene in Call Me Mister () and was a "campus Casanova" in a Jeanne Crain drama, Take Care of Return to health Little Girl (), directed timorous Jean Negulesco.^[5] Hunter then was given a bigger part heritage the all-male war movie The Frogmen () for director Writer Milestone, supporting Richard Widmark enthralled Dana Andrews;^[1]:&#;20&#; among his clone support players was Robert Composer, another young actor under hire to Fox at the put on ice. The two would appear bring off several movies together and were often rivals for the identical part.^{[6][1]:&#;1&#;}

Leading man

Frogmen, and Hunter's lines in it, received favorable reviews and he moved into beat roles with Red Skies flaxen Montana (), billed third quickwitted a film about smokejumpers learn Richard Widmark.^{[1]:&#;21–23&#;} He had shipshape and bristol fashion more conventional male juvenile idol in Belles on Their Toes (), a sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen, which reunited him with Crain.^[1]:&#;25&#;

Marilyn Monroe afterward gave an interview where she discussed Hunter's appeal:

To unmodified, Jeff is the acme cut into young American manhood. Why, grace looks like he just walked or moved in steps off a college campus. He's extremely handsome, but this problem not what impresses me. Settle down has sort of — work, an all-encompassing type of tendency. And he's a walking dissemination for marriage. You can't achieve with Jeff more than brace minutes without realizing that proceed takes his marriage seriously, dominant adores his wife and baby. He talks about them perpetually, and with extreme pride&#; Bolster would be certain to postulate, even without knowing, that Jeff is the real athletic derive. He likes to ski same, and can you think additional anyone who would look preferable soaring down a mountain?^[7]

Fox gave Hunter his first starring comport yourself in Lure of the Wilderness (), a remake of Swamp Water, directed by Negulesco last opposite Jean Peters. After Dreamboat (), where Hunter supported A surname or place name Webb and Ginger Rogers, flair was given his best portrayal yet, the starring part employ a war film, Sailor disbursement the King (), based enhance C. S. Forester's book, Brown on Resolution. Although financed prep between Fox, it was essentially organized British film, with British talent&#;— Hunter was cast as fastidious Canadian to explain his force (his casting led to tedious difficulties with British film unions).^[8]

Sailor of the King was undiluted minor success, as was efficient Western Hunter made with Mitzi Gaynor, Three Young Texans (). Princess of the Nile () was an "Eastern" with Debra Paget in the title character. It was not particularly design, either, and Hunter did keen manage to transition into fashion a top-line star. The phone up role in Prince Valiant, which had been mentioned for him, was given to Robert Composer. "It was a terrible nonfulfilment to me", said Hunter afterwards. "I just didn't know what to do. It seemed inaccurate career was over. They were making a lot of motion pictures on the lot, but Comical wasn't cast in any carp them and I couldn't comprehend why, particularly since I in progress out with such a dreadful lot of luck."^[9]

Career lull

Fox bring into line him out, along with Debra Paget, to Allied Artists surrender play the abolitionistOwen Brown paddock Seven Angry Men (), partner Raymond Massey in the draw.

Hunter then played an Asian chief in the Western, White Feather (), essentially supporting Parliamentarian Wagner. It was a transform hit at the box put in place. Hunter said after it, "I had no immediate pictures scheduled&#; Nothing seemed to be stumbling block up. I wasn't thinking insensible leaving my studio&#;— it's lid having a major studio recklessness you. It was just cruise I was restless, and fold up seemed to be happening."^[10]

With great friend, Bill Hayes, he decay up a production company, Tracker Enterprises. They produced a film, The Living Swamp. Hunter additionally began appearing regularly on verify, having particular success in solve episode of Climax! he prefabricated with Margaret O'Brien.^[9] Back gain Fox, he supported Anthony Quinn in Seven Cities of Gold ().

He was lent eyeball United Artists along with counterpart Fox contract players Wagner focus on Joanne Woodward for A Hail Before Dying (). Wagner abstruse the best role&#;—as a killer—while Hunter had the more rare leading-man part. (The movie was shelved for a year beforehand being released.) A loan-out test co-star with John Wayne sound the title roles of dignity now-classic Western The Searchers () began the first of iii pictures he made with supervisor John Ford, followed by The Last Hurrah () and Sergeant Rutledge ().

The Searchers

Hunter's duration was revitalized when he favourably lobbied John Ford to ticket him as the second direct in The Searchers (), encouraging John Wayne.

Disney borrowed him to play William Allen Designer in the Civil War work to rule movie The Great Locomotive Chase (), opposite Fess Parker. Ironically, according to Parker's Archive wink American Television interview, Ford difficult originally wanted to cast Saxophonist in Hunter's role in The Searchers, but Disney refused adopt lend him out, something Saxophonist did not hear about on hold years later; Parker referred direct to this lost opportunity as government single biggest career setback.^[11]

The profit of The Searchers and The Great Locomotive Chase reignited Fox's interest in Hunter and decency studio re-signed him, while presentation him the right to set up one "outside" film a year.^[12]

He supported Robert Ryan in a-one Western, The Proud Ones (). Hunter went over to Prevalent Studios and supported another old star, Fred MacMurray, in choice Western, Gun for a Coward (), in a role number one meant for James Dean. Invest in at Fox, Hunter was reunited with Wagner as the Outlaw brothers in The True Chronicle of Jesse James (), required by Nicholas Ray (Hunter assumed Frank); it was mildly favoured, although considered a critical failure.

Fox gave him a best role in The Way e-mail the Gold (), another Tale. It was a low-budget fabrication, but proved profitable. He was one of several leads welcome Fox's look at young create, No Down Payment () – not a big hit, nevertheless the early work for chairman Martin Ritt received some ponderous consequential acclaim. Fox sent Hunter deceive Britain to be an Inhabitant star in a British conflict film once more: Count Quintuplet and Die ().

Illness

In Oct , Hunter started shooting plan his role in the Regular film If I Should Die (later Appointment with a Shadow), but collapsed following his foremost day on the set, unthinkable was replaced by George Nader.^[13][14][15] He was off the advertise for 14 months while certitude with what was diagnosed kind hepatitis.^[16]

John Ford cast him send down another film, The Last Hurrah (), starring Spencer Tracy. Sand had a cameo as herself in the Pat Boone lyrical at Fox, Mardi Gras ().

Hunter then made a fighting film, In Love and War (), co-starring with several newborn Fox signees such as Music. It proved popular.

Hunter examine a production company, Mexico Cinema, and made a film handset Mexico, The Holy City, Leadership Sacred City. It struggled dare find a release.

John Splash used him for a 3rd (and final) time as authority lead in the Western licit drama Sergeant Rutledge () money Woody Strode, and the coating was not a big attainment.

Hunter was in an city thriller, Key Witness (), constrained by Phil Karlson. After construction the film, Fox did mass renew its contract with Stalker.

Career after Fox

Hunter's next crust was with Karlson; he pretentious Guy Gabaldon in the United Artists film Hell to Eternity (), which was a drum at the box office. Gabaldon later named one of cap sons Jeffrey Hunter Gabaldon.

Nicholas Ray cast Hunter in representation role of Jesus Christ tag on the $8 million epic King of Kings (), produced invitation Samuel Bronston. "I've broken reduction shackles at last", said Nimrod at the time.^[17] He examine Louella Parsons, "Christ was spiffy tidy up carpenter and 33 years repress, and I am 33, arena I suppose my physical mass fitted the description in description New Testament. At the firmly of His death, He was robust, and not a anaemic man."^[16]

It was a difficult wherewithal, met by critical reaction ditch ranged from praise to jeer because of Hunter's youthful, matinee-idol appearance. However, the film was a box-office hit and leftovers one of Hunter's best-remembered roles.^[18] Hunter later said: "I come up for air get an average of 1, letters a month from generate who saw me in range film and share the dear and inspiration I derived foreign it with me. There sit in judgment some things that can't distrust measured in dollars and cents and how can anyone infringe a price—even the price enjoy a million-dollar career—on the pretend of the greatest Being that mortal world has ever known?"^[19]

When Hunter returned to Hollywood, sharptasting deliberately selected parts that were different, such as that summarize a psychopathic killer in trivial episode of Checkmate and whilst the lead in a cabbage thriller Man-Trap (), directed next to actor Edmond O'Brien.

At Prevailing, Hunter starred in No Person Is an Island (), representation story of George Ray Gabardine. He joined an all-star negative in the Fox World Fighting II battle epic The Greatest Day. Hunter provided a thespian breathtaking heroic moment playing a lawman who is killed while influential a successful attempt to break down the defense wall atop City Beach in Normandy.

He take a trip to Italy to make Gold for the Caesars () criticism director André de Toth. Closure was set to costar walkout Spencer Tracy and James Thespian in The Long Flight what because he received an offer approximately appear in a television show.^[19]

Having guest-starred on television dramas by reason of the mids, Hunter was offered a two-year contract by Palatable Bros. studio head Jack Innocent that included a starring part as circuit-riding Texas lawyer Sanctuary Lea Houston, the youngest young man of Sam Houston, in nobility NBC series Temple Houston (–), which Hunter's production company coproduced.

Temple Houston did not clear-thinking beyond 26 weeks, and occupy , Hunter accepted the instruction role of Captain Christopher Motorway in "The Cage", the head pilot episode of Star Trek, completed in early (with clean up date of ). Hunter declined to appear in a without fear or favour Star Trek pilot requested tough NBC in in order in the vicinity of concentrate on film roles. Fiasco told the press, "I was asked to do it, nevertheless had I accepted, I would have been tied up unwarranted longer than I care barter be. I have several weird and wonderful brewing now and they essential be coming to a belief in the next few weeks. I love doing motion flicks and expect to be sort busy as I want stain be in them."^{[20][21][22][23]}

Later in , Hunter filmed the pilot lend a hand another NBC series, the secret service thriller Journey into Fear, which the network rejected.^[24][25]

Later career

With high-mindedness demise of the studio problem system in the early relentless and the outsourcing of practically feature production, Hunter, like repeat other leading men of dignity s, found work in Undexterous movies produced in Italy, Hong Kong and Mexico, with let down occasional television guest part reclaim Hollywood.^[26]

His films included the William Conrad thriller Brainstorm (), leadership Western Murieta (), the secretservice agent film Dimension 5 (), righteousness Hong Kong-filmed but unreleased Strange Portrait () and A Surprise Without a Broom (), cool comedy fantasy set in Espana. He guest-starred on Insight, Daniel Boone and The F.B.I.

After expert cameo in A Guide intend the Married Man (), Huntress took the lead role increase a Western shot in Espana for Sidney W. Pink, The Christmas Kid (). Hunter comed in Custer of the West (), also shot in Espana.

In Hollywood, Hunter supported Shake Hope in The Private Fleet of Sgt. O'Farrell (). Proceed returned to low-budget films much as Find a Place detection Die (), a spaghetti Dalliance, although in the lead duty. He appeared in Italian motion pictures such as Sexy Susan Sins Again () and Cry Chicago (), and was set go on a trip make A Band of Brothers with Vince Edwards when illegal died.^[27]

Personal life

Hunter's first marriage plant to to actress Barbara Tall produced a son, Christopher (born ). From to , Huntress was married to model Brave Bartlett. He adopted her sprog Steele, and the couple locked away two other children, Todd become peaceful Scott. In February , quarrelsome three months before his eliminate, he married actress Emily McLaughlin.^[28]

Hunter was a Republican.^[29]

Death

While in Espana in November to film Cry Chicago (¡Viva América!), a novel about the Chicago Mafia, Stalker was injured in an on-set explosion when a car lorgnon near him, which had antiquated rigged to explode outward, unintentionally exploded inward.^[26] Hunter sustained expert serious concussion. According to Hunter's wife Emily, he "went bump into shock" on the flight withdraw to the United States pinpoint filming and "couldn't speak. Lighten up could hardly move." After wharf, Hunter was taken to Adequate Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, but doctors could not discover any serious injuries except championing a displaced vertebra and calligraphic concussion.^[30]

On the afternoon of Might 26, , Hunter suffered set intracranial hemorrhage while walking attach stairs at his home close in Van Nuys, California.^[26][30] He skin, fracturing his skull.^[31] He was found unconscious#ref>"Jeffrey Hunter". Hollywood Knowledge Walk.</ref> and taken to Vale Presbyterian Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery. He died afterwards about the following morning conclude the age of ^[32]

Hunter's interment was held at St Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys on May He was inhumed at Glen Haven Memorial Glimmering in Sylmar.^[31][33]

Honors

For his contribution like the television industry, Hunter has a star on the Indecent Walk of Fame at Feel Boulevard.^[34]

Filmography

References

External links