Arthur Andrew Kelm was born on 11 July 1931, in New York City, USA, of part-German and Jewish descent. As Tab Hunter, he was known as an actor, author and singer, who was one of the most popular Hollywood actors during the 1950s to 1960s. He appeared in over 40 films, and guest starred in numerous TV series, so all of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it was when he passed away in 2018.
So how rich was Tab Hunter? Aources estimate a net worth at over $10 million, mostly earned through a successful career in the entertainment industry, and from writing his autobiography. He won numerous awards over the course of his career, and all of his efforts ensured the position of his wealth.
Tab Hunter Net Worth $10 million
Tab’s father was abusive, and after his parents divorced, he and his mother would relocate to several cities. During his teenage years, he competed in figure skating both in pair and singles. At the age of 15, he joined the US Coast Guard, lying about his age to enlist – checks weren’t so thorough at that time, but when his real age was discovered he was discharged. While in the Coast Guard, he was given the nickname “Hollywood”, because he preferred to watch movies instead of going to bars.
His long interest in films and filming led him to sign with his first agent, Henry Wilson, who would give him the stage name “Tab Hunter”. His boyish good looks – maintained even until his passing – saw him make one of his first appearances in the film “Island of Desire”, and he was then cast in the drama “Battle Cry”, which solidified his status as one of the top romantic leads of Hollywood. He would continue appearing in films including “The Pleasure of His Company” and “Gunman’s Walk”, and due to his increasing popularity, he was put under an exclusive studio contract by Warner Bros, along with other young stars James Dean and Natalie Wood. In 1957, he released the song “Young Love” which went on to top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six weeks, and was certified gold; later on he would release “Ninety-Nine Ways”, which led to Warner Bros banning Dot Records from his contract, and establishing their own recording company.
In 1958, Hunter appeared in the musical “Damn Yankees”, which was based on the book entitled “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant”. Throughout the late 1950s, Hunter became the top grossing star of Warner Bros. In 1960, he starred in “The Tab Hunter Show”, but it was cancelled after just a season. In the late 1960s, he would appear in various productions, such as “Bye Bye Birdie” and “The Tender Trap”, before being cast in several westerns, including “Hostile Guns”. He had a supporting role in “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean”, and would have a career revival in the 1980s in “Polyester”, with other later projects including “Grease 2” and “Cameron’s Closet”.
Most recently, in 2015 a documentary about his life was released called “Tab Hunter Confidential”, based on his own autobiography which he co-wrote, and is entitled “Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star”, which went on to get several writing nominations, and boosted his net worth somewhat.
For his personal life, it is known that Hunter was gay, a fact he stated through his autobiography. He faked romances with co-stars Natalie Wood and Debbie Reynolds to go along with Hollywood promoting him into being a heterosexual star of the screen and TV. He even contemplated marrying Etchika Choureau and Joan Perry, but never thought that he could maintain such a relationship.
It is known that he had long term relationships with actor Anthony Perkins and figure skater Ronnie Robertson. He eventually settled down with film producer Allan Glaser in the early 1980s, and they remained together until his death on 8 July 2018, in Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara California, from a blood clot which caused cardiac arrest – he was 86.
Damn Yankees, Lust in the Dust, Battle Cry, The Burning Hills, Saturday Island, The Girl He Left Behind, Gunman's Walk, That Kind of Woman, Ride the Wild Surf, Lafayette Escadrille, City Under the Sea, Grease 2, The Sea Chase, The Lawless, Polyester, The Pleasure of His Company, Track of the Cat, Th...
TV Shows
The Tab Hunter Show, Sex: The Revolution, Forever Fernwood
When you're as young as I was and you're thrown into all of that and everyone's going [makes kissing sounds], it's really going to take your head and send you on a journey. You're not going to hate it, but you're just going to try to have the wherewithal to find your balance, hopefully. How could you not love being at home up in Lake Arrowhead with Kay Starr singing her hit song "Side by Side" and Judy Garland on the floor, and the two of them doing a duet? You'd be an idiot not to go for it and love it.
2
It's all very important, but the real important thing is, I think, not labeling a person. The first line in my book is, "I hate labels." It's who we are as human beings. What kind of human being are you? Are you a contributor?
3
When things stop happening, it is a shock. But you have to go with the flow of things. You have to understand, "This is happening. It can't be forever. This is the now. It's the way it is. Life is not the way you want it to be -- it's the way it is." "I want this," "I want that," "I want this," "I want that" -- there's too much of that.
4
What you are as a human being inside is what's important. My mother told me, "Don't get concerned with the externals." Everyone today is concerned with how they look, how they're presented. Strip it away.
5
I had a very grounded family. My mother was very structured. She used to say, "There is yes and there is no and there is no in between." Tell that to people today. And I had a brother that I looked up to that was terrific. When negative things happen, you just have to believe that somewhere under the pile of crap is a pony. You just gotta be positive, 'cause there's too much negativity around.
6
I think marriage is just between two people and their maker, period. Doesn't concern any of us, whether it be a woman and a woman, a man and a man, or a man and a woman, I don't care.
7
I still don't look at it as if I've come out. Coming out, what does that mean? What I'm concerned about is people as human beings. Are you a decent human being? What are you contributing? That's important.
8
[on Gary Cooper] Coop was a lovely guy. His sense of humor was kind of within. He'd do something he knew was funny. He laughed inwardly. It was a delight! He's say things, then chuckle within himself. He was wonderful, low-key, like Fred Astaire, an absolute gentleman. These are quality, quality people. They have their own atmosphere about them. Coop's was very laid-back and easy.
9
[about his love for Montecito, California] It's like the French Riveria without the French. I thank God every day I'm able to be there.
10
[in a 1971 interview] The star thing is over. I've knocked around quite a bit in the past few years and now I'm just another actor looking for work. Acting is what I know and what I do best . . . I'm trying to find a new niche . . . something to help erase that bland image the studios gave me in the Fifties. I'm looking for roles that will establish me as a more mature actor.
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Fact
1
He was the younger of two boys. His brother, Walter John Gelien (born August 18, 1930), was killed in Vietnam on October 28, 1965, leaving seven children.
2
He was born Arthur Kelm in New York City. His mother, Gertrude (Gelien), was a German (Catholic) immigrant. His father, Charles Kelm, was Jewish. Tab was raised in California by his mother and maternal grandparents, Ida (Sonnenfleth) and John Henry Gelien.
3
Was Warner Bros. Records' first signee.
4
Hunter and his companion Allan Glaser met in 1983. The couple co-produced the films Lust in the Dust (1985) and Dark Horse (1992).
5
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6320 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
6
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.
7
Had a lifelong love for horses.
8
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.
9
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."
10
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.
11
He co-executive produced and hosted the cable television series Hollywood on Horses (1989).
12
His bare chest was chosen to adorn the cover of Donald Reuter's book: "Shirtless! The Hollywood Male Physique."
Documentary performer: "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" lyrics by nm0281419 & music by nm0903117, "Moonlight Swim" lyrics by nm2004611 & music by nm0918840, "Ninety-Nine Ways" written by nm1478580 as Anthony September, "Young Love" written by Whaley T. Cartey as Ric Cartey & Carole Joyner / writer: "Don't Let It Get Around"
Mischief
1985
performer: "Young Love"
Losin' It
1983
performer: "Young Love"
Polyester
1981
performer: "POLYESTER"
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
1961
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Damn Yankees!
1958
performer: "Goodbye, Old Girl", "Two Lost Souls"
Gunman's Walk
1958
performer: "I'm A Runaway"
The 30th Annual Academy Awards
1958
TV Special performer: "April Love"
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dark Horse
1992
story
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
I Am Divine
2013
Documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall
1959
TV Series
Himself
The 30th Annual Academy Awards
1958
TV Special
Himself - Performer
The Pat Boone-Chevy Showroom
1958
TV Series
Himself
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1957
TV Series
Himself
Screen Snapshots 1856: The Mocambo Party
1957
Short
Himself
What's My Line?
1957
TV Series
Himself - Guest Panelist / Himself - Mystery Guest
The 28th Annual Academy Awards
1956
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
The Bob Cummings Show
1956
TV Series
Himself
Lux Video Theatre
1955
TV Series
Himself - Guest Host
The Jimmy Durante Show
1955
TV Series
Himself
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1955
TV Series
Himself
This Is Your Life
1954
TV Series
Himself
Hollywood Opening Night
1952
TV Series
Himself
Olympic Fund Telethon
1952
TV Special
Himself
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
2016
Documentary post-production
Himself
Red Eye w/Tom Shillue
2015
TV Series
Himself - Guest Panelist
Going Deep with Tab Hunter
2015
Video documentary short
Himself
CTV National News
2015
TV Series
Himself
Tab Hunter Confidential
2015
Documentary
Himself
I Am Divine
2013
Documentary
Himself
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical