Screen Idol

"Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star"

He was created, packaged, sold, shaped and controlled by the Hollywood studio system (at Warner Bros.) of the 1950's to become a boy-next-door heartthrob who appeared in over 50 films, including "Damn Yankees," "Battle Cry," "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean" and "Ride the Wild Surf." That era came to an end but he returned to the movies in the '80s at the request of film director John Waters to star in "Polyester" and "Lust in the Dust" and became a cult sensation.

Actor, producer and now writer Tab Hunter was online Friday, Oct. 28, at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss his life, his career and his then-secret relationships.

 before or during the discussion.

A transcript follows.

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Hermosa Beach, Calif.: How many people have come up to you and asked "Are you Troy Donahue?"

Tab Hunter: Many, many. My favorite happened in an elevator in Florida years ago when I stepped in and this woman looked at me and with recognition on her face and started snapping her fingers unable to recall the name, she sort of sputtered a bit and I looked at her and responded, "Troy Donahue," and she beamed and said, "That's it!"

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Los : It seems every time you have been mentioned in the press lately, the photo used if one with Natalie Wood over your lap. I presume that photo was staged to show you and Ms. Wood in a care-free, frolicly relationship. What exactly was going on there: was it staged, was it a birthday spanking as one paper said, and what exactly was going on there?

Tab Hunter: It was Natalie's 18th birthday on the set. She was presented with a cake and so I put her over my lap and started spanking her. She was very playful. She was at that point a young girl/young woman and a total delight.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you follow the movies today? Are you planning to do any from here on out? Do you miss the limelight?

Tab Hunter: I don't miss the limelight. I see some movies today. The academy (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) sends me films. If I see them, I vote.

We only produce independent films. We have two scripts right now that hopefully we can raise the financing for. One is Evelyn Keyes' screenplay based on one of her books. Evelyn was Scarlett O'Hara's younger sister in Gone With the Wind and one of her bestselling novels was a book entitled Scarlett' O'Hara's Younger Sister. We call call the screenplay Blues in the Night, based on Evelyn's coming to California -- her first year in Hollywood before she was discovered by Cecil B. DeMille. It's a powerhouse. What happened to that young girl in one year is powerful.

We have another one based on an Irish folk hero -- Turlock O'Carolean, a blind, Irish folk hero, a harper. And I believe it's one of the best love stories I've ever read.

The reason why I wrote this book is I heard that some unauthorized person was going to writing a book on me and I thought, get it from the horse's mouth, not from some horse's a_ _ after I'm dead and gone. We all know how people put spins on things like that.

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Baltimore, Md.: What was it like to work with John Waters?

Thanks!

Tab Hunter: The best (LAUGHS). I call John, Your Friendly Undertaker with his Adolph Menjou mustache. He was a delight. Despite an agent saying don't tell anyone you're doing this picture, it turned out to be one of the best moves of my career, introducing me to a whole new audience.

He was just terrific to work with, planting good seeds and allowing freedom, which is very important. In other words he wasn't just a traffic cop director.

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Kansas City, Mo.: Not to focus so much on the gay issue, but when Mr. Hunter was in Hollywood, did the other so-called gay stars (Hudson, Cliff, etc.) stick together or were they even too afraid to associate with one another?

Tab Hunter: I can't speak for them. I chose total denial. I mean, that was something I was brought up. I was a very private person and frightened as a kid. If anyone discussed that, I totally would not confront the issue. My touch of reality in that unrealistic world we my horses. It was something that I was very fearful, very frightened of. I just never discussed with anyone. It was so private. I had few close friends. The only person I could discuss most of my problems with was my good friend and agent, Dick Clayton. He's still with us today. He's 90 years old and I'm still in touch with him. He represented Jimmy Dean, Jane Fonda, Tuesday Weld, Burt Reynolds, Lee Majors, Angie Dickinson and those are just a few. God threw away the mold after he made Dick Clayton.

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Arlington, Va.: Congrats on a moving book, Mr. Hunter.

I'm a great fan of Fred Astaire, but always found his role in "The Pleasure of His Company" weird. What did you think while working on the movie? (and did you know that in the play, the dad "gets" the girl?)

Tab Hunter: I saw the play on Broadway with Cyril Ritchard. It was a different interpretation but totally plausible with Fred who was so stylish and an incredible human being. Fred remains one of my favorites. Plus we were able to talk horses when we weren't working. He was a horse lover.

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Southern Maryland: Even though the studio system is gone, have things changed much for gay and lesbian actors? The ones who are openly gay tend to be comedians like Nathan Lane and Ellen DeGeneres, not sex symbols.

Tab Hunter: That's interesting. I don't know what goes on in the inner workings of Hollywood today. The first thing that comes to my mind is in the '50s, Jean Marais was the good friend of Jean Cocteau. They did Beauty and the Beast, a major film, the world knew of their relationship and yet he was still a huge matinee idol throughout the world. I don't know Hollywood thinking today.

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Alexandria, Va.: Tab,

Who was the actor that Hollywood Confidential magazine outed in lieu of outing actor Rock Hudson? If you were aware of this, was it that much harder to come to work for Hollywood?

Tab Hunter: I do know that Confidential magazine was going to do a story on Rock Hudson and because I left our agent, Henry Wilson, he gave the magazine a story on me and one on Rory Calhoun instead. Rory's was about him being in prison and mine was about being arrested at a gay party when I was 16. It was Confidential magazine and I was scared to death but regardless, I became the top actor at Warner Bros. and around the world.

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Alexandria, Va.: Your book sounds interesting. You must have many stories to tell, growing up in Hollywood during the Studio System. An era that's gone with the wind, I'm afraid.

And I must say how much I enjoy "Battle Cry." I know it was not a favorite of the critics, but we fans embraced it wholeheartedly!

Tab Hunter: Leon Uris's first novel. Wonderful film. The Marine Corps totally approved of it and many vets have come up to me and and said it was because of you and that film that I joined the Marines. I hope they weren't thinking they could meet Dorothy Malone.

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Tab Hunter: I did eight [screen] tests for "Battle Cry." The studio then went to New York and tested Paul Newman and Jimmy Dean (James Dean) for the role of "Danny." Then came back to Hollywood and gave me another test -- the 9th. I thought I did a terrible job but that was the one that got me the role. One never knows.

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New Orleans, La. Hi Tab...

Long time. Glad you're well!! Am thrilled about your book and the fact that it underscores not only your talent but also your sensitivity and intelligent approach to the important things and people in your life. Are you still involved with your horses?

Tab Hunter: They're my touch of reality in an unrealistic world. I only have one baby now and I'll be bringing her back to California in about six months. She's growing up in New Mexico; I'll bring her back when she's three.

I used to show hunters and jumpers, that's how I got the name "Hunter." Hunters and jumpers are types of show horses. Hunters are similar to the type used for fox hunting. And jumpers are the show jumpers. I've always been in love with them. I do support U.S. Equestrian Team and I've always been a big lover of that.

Horses have been a major part of my life. They're been a stabilizer. But I used to show, judge, give riding clinics and do handicapped riding programs.

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Clearwater, Fla.: Hi Tab!

Anything in the recent works to be in a movie or TV show?

Tab Hunter: I'm an independent producer and I also write screenplays with my friend Betty Marvin who was married to Lee Marvin.

I don't do TV, haven't. We do have a couple of projects which I mentioned earlier.

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Philadlephia, Pa.: How close were you to Natalie Wood? How would you describe your relationship with her?

Tab Hunter: I was like a big brother to her. She was much younger than me. I was about 25 and she was 17, going on 18.

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Washington, D.C.: Who is/was the great love of your life? If you feel that you haven't had one (yet), how has that affect your outlook on life?

Tab Hunter: The great love of my life ... Who is the great love of my life. I probably would have to say my partner of 20-some years and I've written about it in the book. I'm not a blah, blah, in your face kind of person.

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Atlanta, Ga.: Do you suppose that are many actors today who are gay and still in the closet?

Tab Hunter: I have no idea.

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Manassas, Va.: Mr. Hunter,

I think the first movie I saw you in was "Damn Yankees." So what was it like working with Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston?

Have you seen other productions of "Damn Yankees" (it's coming to our Arena Stage in December) and how do they compare?

Been to a NATS game yet?

Sincerely,

A Senators fan!

Tab Hunter: I loved Gwen, I loved Ray. I loved Jean Stapleton, Bobby Fosse, Shannon Bolan and the rest of the Broadway cast. However, it was a bit dicey working with George Abbott, producer of the show and many fine other Broadway productions but I found him rather stilted.

I saw the original on Broadway and was thrilled when Jack Warner bought "Damn Yankess" for me as a make up gift. I had been on suspension from the studio so it was sort of a kiss and make up gift. A damn good one. I was suspended because I turned down a role at the studio.

No, I didn't go to a game, unfortunately, when I was there. This last trip to Washington was really quick. I used to have a farm out in the Middleburg area. But I go back every year for Upperville.

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Chantilly, Va.: Tab: When I was 16 my girlfriend dumped me because she was president of the local Tab Hunter fan club and had an opportunity to meet you when you came to our city to plug a movie. Ha! Anyhow and seriously -- are you in favor of gay marriage, civil unions, or both?

Tab Hunter: I have many friends that have married. I don't usually discuss these political things. I certainly believe in domestic partnerships.

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Maryland : Do you still go shirtless!

Tab Hunter: (LAUGHS) Well no, you don't take your clothes after 25 unless you know someone VERY well.

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Oklahoma City, Okla.: Steamer! You're back!

Ride The Wild Surf... Wow... The movies you fall in love with when you're 14. The theme has always been a favorite...

Actually, I have no question. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to say hi to Tab Hunter... Take care and good luck..

Terri Savage

Tab Hunter: That's very nice. That was a role I played in my only surf film. My surfing double had dark hair so they died my hair dark. Peter Brown's double was blonde so they died his hair blonde. Jan and Dean had a big hit with their song, "Ride, Ride, Ride the Wild Surf" which was featured in the movie. Fabian, Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden were in it too.

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New York, N.Y.: Thanks for doing this chat! What was your favorite movie to work on? I'm looking forward to reading your book.

Tab Hunter: Thank you. I had three favorite movies for different reasons. "Damn Yankees," a musical; "Gunman's Walk" with Van Heflin, an excellent western written by Frank Nugett who wrote "The Quiet Man," directed by totally forgotten Phil Karlson in a western that's been compared to "High Noon" and "3:10 to Yuma." Wonderful role. And the other one would be "That Kind of Woman" with Sophia Lauren directed by Sidney Lumet.

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Tab Hunter: Of course, I did a lot of live television in the old days which I loved. I had a love/hate relationship with live television.

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Tab Hunter: Thank you for your questions. Sorry I didn't get a chance to answer them all. My life has been a wonderful journey and I appreciate all of your interest.

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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.