Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tab Hunter Net Worth?
At the time of his death on July 8, 2018, Tab Hunter, the American actor, singer, and author, had a net worth of $10 million. Hunter accumulated his wealth through a multifaceted career spanning film, television, music, and authorship.
Tab Hunter’s Early Career and Rise to Fame
Born Arthur Andrew Kelm on July 11, 1931, in New York City, Tab Hunter’s early life was marked by his parents’ divorce and subsequent upbringing by his mother and maternal grandparents in California. Details regarding specific financial contributions from his family during his childhood are not publicly available. However, his early interest in figure skating and later enlistment in the US Coast Guard (at age 15 by lying about his age) point to a disciplined and ambitious nature that would later contribute to his professional success.
Hunter’s acting career began in 1950 with a minor role in Joseph Losey’s “The Lawless”. This was followed by his first leading role in the 1952 adventure romance film “Island of Desire,” opposite Linda Darnell. While specific salary details for these early roles are not documented, they served as crucial stepping stones in establishing him in Hollywood. A contract with Warner Bros. soon followed, leading to roles in films like “Track of the Cat” and “The Sea Chase,” further enhancing his visibility.
A major turning point in Hunter’s career came with his role in “Battle Cry” (1955), which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Though his exact earnings from this film are undisclosed, its commercial success significantly boosted his career and earning potential. He continued to star in hit films throughout the 1950s, including “The Burning Hills” and “The Girl He Left Behind” (both co-starring Natalie Wood), the war film “Lafayette Escadrille,” the Western “Gunman’s Walk,” and the musical “Damn Yankees.” Contract details for these films, including his salary per film and any backend participation agreements, are not publicly available. However, it can be inferred that Hunter’s income steadily increased during this period due to his rising popularity and box office appeal.
Diversification into Music and Television
In 1957, Tab Hunter broadened his entertainment portfolio with a successful venture into music. His recording of the song “Young Love” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining there for six weeks. He had another hit that year with “Ninety-Nine Ways.” While exact sales figures and royalties from these hits are not publicly accessible, the chart-topping success of “Young Love” undoubtedly contributed significantly to his income. The single’s success also opened doors for further musical opportunities and appearances, although specific financial details remain private. Other singles included “Red Sails in the Sunset,” “Jealous Heart,” and “(I’ll Be with You) In Apple Blossom Time.” These recordings, while perhaps not as commercially successful as “Young Love,” still added to his overall income stream.
Hunter’s career extended to television with “The Tab Hunter Show,” a sitcom that premiered in 1960. Although the show only ran for a single season, it offered him further exposure and income. Specific details of his contract for the show, including his per-episode salary and any ownership stakes, are not available. He later appeared in episodes of various television series throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including “Combat!,” “Burke’s Law,” “The Virginian,” “Cannon,” “Ellery Queen,” “McMillan & Wife,” and “Hawaii Five-O.” His roles in these television series likely provided a consistent income, supplementing his earnings from film and music.
Hunter’s transition from a 1950s heartthrob to roles in diverse projects such as John Waters’ “Polyester” in the 1980s, and “Grease 2,” demonstrated his adaptability and willingness to take on different types of roles. His performance in “Polyester,” alongside Divine, marked a resurgence in his career, allowing him to tap into a new audience. While the financial specifics of these roles are not public, his continued work in the industry helped maintain his financial stability. He also reunited with Divine in “Lust in the Dust” and “Out of the Dark.” His final film role was in 1992 in the drama “Dark Horse,” which he co-produced and co-wrote. This foray into production suggests that he sought to have more control over his projects and potential earnings.
Later Career, Autobiography, and Personal Life
In 2005, Tab Hunter released his autobiography, “Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star,” which became a national bestseller. While specific sales figures and royalties from the book are not public, its commercial success and critical acclaim undoubtedly added to his net worth. The autobiography also led to a 2015 documentary film, “Tab Hunter Confidential,” which he produced with his husband, Allan Glaser. As a producer, Hunter would have received a portion of the film’s profits, further contributing to his income.
Throughout his career, Hunter made personal investments, the details of which are not publicly available. These may have included real estate, stocks, or other ventures that contributed to his overall financial portfolio. He also maintained a private life, details of which were revealed in his autobiography, and ultimately passed away from cardiac arrest in Santa Barbara, California, just before his 87th birthday in July 2018. His $10 million net worth at the time of his death reflects a long and varied career, marked by both commercial success and personal milestones.
