The Secret Life & Loves of Tab Hunter

One of the biggest Hollywood heart throbs of the 1950s was discovered shoveling horse manure in a barn. His name was Tab Hunter, and he set the nation’s hearts aflame with his pretty face and even prettier body. Tab built a career playing a macho ladies’ man in picture after picture after picture ... But behind the farm-boy physique lurked a secret shadow - one that a sleazy tabloid and unscrupulous agent conspired to expose to the world. At the height of his fame, Tab’s career disintegrated, and he might’ve vanished completely - until he was saved by the unlikeliest of figures. This is the story of Tab Hunter, an international sex symbol who pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Hollywood history.
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Tab Hunter Confidential (the book) amzn.to/3SuiYAU
Tab Hunter Confidential (the documentary) amzn.to/3StIs1g

[@stonecake313]

The number of times this man was getting blackmailed or close to being outed was nuts. I can’t imagine the constant anxiety and stress he was living with

[@bookbwitched6823]

The crimes bigotry commits.

[@ashes2ashley230]

I like to think Tab got the role in battle cry because James Dean and Paul Newman couldn't get their eyes off each other to look at the main actress

[@claudermiller]

He easily could have ended up a very bitter man but he maintained his humanity through it all. That says a lot.

[@no1weezerfan]

He was a good man through and through

[@AlexPeterson-vw8kw]

Hello

[@fumarate1]

Yes it's not easy at times.

[@BryanPike]

Matt you may talk about stars... but you are a national treasure in your own right.

[@michaelcallas9463]

YES!!! Couldn't agree more!

[@MattBaume]

Aww thank you so much! :D

[@LorchVHS]

INTERnational!

[@Colin.Smith.Pianist]

Amen to that!!

[@Pippis78]

Yes, these are such good well made videos.

[@TheVultureVanityShow]

Thanks for the great video. My mom was friends with Tab. She was in need of a job, so he got her a part in "Sea Chase." After he returned from a trip to Paris, he brought her a bottle of what would become her favorite perfume: Quadrille by Balenciega. She was even in a spread about Tab in Photoplay titled "Spaghetti Party at Tab's." She mainly worked under contract to Universal during the 1950s. She said two of the greatest guys she ever worked with were Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson. I just wanted to share that bit of trivia with you because you mentioned "Sea Chase." Thanks again.

[@TheoRae8289]

Thank you for sharing that. She sounds lovely.

[@davey3765]

WOW that's crazy awesome for your mom and thanks for sharing that! If you have any other storys don't be afraid ot tell them.

[@cc1k435]

I want to hear more about this spaghetti party. 😂❤😊

[@TheVultureVanityShow]

@@TheoRae8289 Thank you.

[@TheVultureVanityShow]

@@davey3765 Thank you.

[@annika_panicka]

46:29 _"Get it from the horse's mouth, not some horse's ass."_ Tab Hunter had a lot of courage and a great sense of humor.

[@walterude6323]

Gosh, this man's life was very stressful; the blackmails, the near-outing, being broke. I am so happy that he eventually got the peace and fulfilment he deserves.

[@alexandercampbell7903]

Hilariously Ironic, wildly incorrect 1950s thinking: "Tab Hunter cannot be gay;..., he has neat penmanship".🤣

[@cc1k435]

Jeez, they really thought the worst of gay men back then: "They can't even write neatly!" 😂😂😂

[@alexandercampbell7903]

@@cc1k435 Yeah, but isn't "neat penmanship" how you know someone IS gay?😂🤣

[@cc1k435]

@@alexandercampbell7903 Seems likely, especially if they insist on using a plume or only writing in calligraphy or something. 🤣😂

[@gabrieladerre2862]

I was trying to tell a new friend, that I'd met in the 6 Week Orientation Class at our workplace, that a coworker was gay. And he was out! So I wasn't letting the cat out of the bag. She just hadn't heard, as they hadn't been in contact since High School. And she couldn't tell for sure that I was gay either. So she had no Gaydar! I don't either, until it's super obvious! Anyhow! She made these pitiful "He cant be gay because ___ " points for her side of the debate.. And they all were as weak as the "He can't be Gay because he has good penmanship!," line, there! Then she said "Wait! I got it!" And I knew that whatever she said, was gonna seal my point completely, and not hers as she thought! And life didn't let me down! And sure enough! This girl looks right in my face! And she says "He cant be gay, because he has a Lindsey Lohan Calendar in his cubicle!" And I literally fell on the floor of my Living Room , from laughing so hard! The boy had been in a 3 year relationship, openly, with another guy at the office we were working at! 😹💀😹

[@gabrieladerre2862]

For anyone who read my long comment, and isnt a Millennial, or older Lindsey Lohan was like a gay icon for twinks back in the day! Gods I feel old now! 😹😹😹

[@SeaTravelr123]

RIP Tab. It hurts to hear how bad it was. And we hope with these idiots in DC we don’t go back to this type of stuff. Thank you for your strength and perseverance. Matt, you’ve done it again. Well done sir.

[@cc1k435]

I hope the American people finally put a stop to their nonsense. The number of people who don't represent a whole lot of people's rights are way overrepresented in Congress.

[@susiepittman601]

Republicans want to force us back to this crap.

[@SeaTravelr123]

@@susiepittman601 not happening. Dems are having a great night tonight

[@danielkoher1944]

I’m afraid it is returning it’s cycle. Look at Ohio wanting to take away the passing of abortion. It won’t be long, and all the condescending of ‘it’s fine’ is exactly that. 25 years after the non hate crime of Matthew Shepard. Just hope you don’t find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[@AlbertoGarcia-wd7sc]

We won't go back. The queer cat is out of the bag and even if they try to go against us using laws we won't disappear.

[@lttrbox]

Every time you put out one of these biographical essays I am deeply humbled by the seemingly unending capacity to express talent, deal with adversity and care for loved ones of these queer actors who came before us. Their lives are truly awe-inspiring.

[@MattBaume]

Thank you! I can't imagine how difficult their lives must've been and it's amazing how resilient they managed to be.

[@BTURNER1961]

@@MattBaume This story is particularly bittersweet. Good decent people should not have to worry constantly about the petty, nasty, and self serving acts of others undermining their lives and livelihood. Yet it happened to good decent gay men and women for decades because the tools and weapons were sitting in the wrong hands. We do tend to forget to glance downwards at the shoulders on which we are now safely and securely perched for our ride . Your work represents an effort to attract our eyes down that direction. Its appreciated.

[@Berlane_Defazio]

​@@BTURNER1961 safely and securely?? You don't live in Florida, do you?😔

[@BTURNER1961]

No. I live in Oregon, where Democrats sit in the Governor;s mansion, and a supermajority of the state legislature. Our voters are smarter and more evolved than Florida's @@Berlane_Defazio

[@PeBoVision]

Tab's bravery in teaming up with John Waters meant so much to 25 year old me. I had refused to live in the closet throughout my teens, and suddenly here was one of my teen-hearthroobs kissing Divine! I hope he knew how many lives he touched by closing off his career on his own terms. (Lust in the Dust is a VERY funny movie too!! I think it may be his best. It IS my personal favourite.)

[@MattBaume]

I can't imagine how amazing it must've been to see Polyester when it first came out!

[@PeBoVision]

@@MattBaume The fart and the air freshener were particularly effective. It was certainly outside the norm be in 1st run playhouse for a John Waters movie - especially one staring an honest to goodness matinée idol. I so respect your work Mr Baume. I can't imagine a better online representative and cultural historian. Kudos and thanks.

[@4uTender]

Such a handsome man. I can't imagine the stress he was under and all he did for his mother. He deserved better but he thrived and for that hats off to him. People today have it easy thanks to people like him. I will say a prayer for him.

[@frankgonzalezofficial3010]

I was 12 when I saw one of his films on Turner Classic Movies. I remember feeling a huge crush. He was the reason I realized I was gay. Many years later and I saw him at LAX, he was a senior by then and I was in my late twenties. I recognized him right away and went up to him. I told him he had been my biggest crush and I hated the fact the fact that I was born too late. He was so sweet. He hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He told me that is he was 40 years younger, he would have asked me on a date. He was the sweetest. May he rest in peace. He must be the most beautiful angel in heaven.

[@majimespirit8421]

What a beautiful memory of your idol and crush to cherish!

[@jessiem276]

🙄

[@garywarmee4367]

What a nice story all around, Frank.

[@CatBuchanan]

How marvelous! The kindness and humane nature of Mr. Hunter shines in this story. Thank you very much.

[@AndyAnderson-b9u]

That is the sweetest thing ever! 😊

[@randomkeir]

Blackmailed by his ex and shunned by his father 😞. It’s a miracle Tab Hunter remained a kind individual, because he had every reason to pop the hell off. God bless this guy.

[@superglidernoyb5815]

and no point in getting GOD involved in this subject. HE has caused more problems for gay people than anything imaginable. Isaiah 45:7

[@ravenna9969]

@@superglidernoyb5815preach

[@jimmymccully8701]

@@superglidernoyb5815 I am a Christian and I am gay in the liberal branch of Presbyterianism. I don’t think God is against gay people. There are people, some claiming to be Christians, who hate gay people and think we are all going to hell. My church accepts gay people and we can get married there if the local branch okays it. A Presbyterian minister can marry gay people, outside the church. We have female ministers. We had a 2 day class when the USA Presbyterian Church made these rulings. There were a lot of gay prostitutes in Bible times, men and women, kept men, and eunuchs. Sodom and Gomorrah was about power. These passages in the Bible are not about loving gay relationships. People are the ones who attack and give Christians a bad name.

[@jenniferhalliwell416]

It's insane how so many people close to him took advantage of him.

[@kathybouziane5269]

How hurtful having supposed friends black mailing you. RIP Tab

[@slc2466]

Yep, the hanger-ons kept tabs on Tab, for sure.

[@philbuttler3427]

Thats Hollywood for ya

[@monav4062]

I met Tab Hunter at a Los Angeles, CA, open-air 'Antique Flea-Market' located at the Long Beach Vets Stadium in the late 1990s when I was in my early 30s. It just so happened that we came to be at the same booth that day while shopping. As a young girl, I had seen almost all of his films and like any young teenager, I was 'smitten' with Tab Hunter! I thought he was so handsome! When I came acrossed him I just happened to look directly at him and said, "Are you Tab Hunter?" and he smiled and said, "Yes, I am". I totally lost my nerve and started stammering! All that I could get out was, "I loved all of your movies and I think you're so handsome!" And, afterward I just turned and fast-paced it out of there allowing him to be at peace without a mumbling, stuttering woman trying to talk to him! He was probably in his mid-50s when I met him? At least, that's what I thought him to be. He was very polite and gracious towards me when I asked if he was Tab Hunter, as I'm sure that he had seen fans like me a thousand times throughout his career! All that I could think of was "Here is this famous movie star who is just trying to shop his favorite flea market while taking in some fresh air -- and here comes this woman who is about to take up a good 30 minutes of his time going over all of his movies!" But I refrained and immediately let him get back to his shopping! He was just as handsome then as he was in all of his movies and meeting him in person was amazing! Over the years while shopping at the Long Beach Vets Stadium's Antique Flea Market I've seen many famous celebrities who were there shopping either with a friend or just by themselves! On one of the days, Oprah Winfrey came through and I saw her have one of her assistants buy out a whole booth of customized furniture back when "Shabby Chic" furniture was all the rage! Most of them just want to be left alone and that's pretty much what the public does, we just let them enjoy themselves and be like 'anybody else' who's enjoying their day at the flea market. Thanks for letting me share my experience meeting Tab Hunter! ❤

[@richlisola1]

What a lovely anecdote. I’m glad you got the chance to meet a man who you so enjoyed in your youth. I’m glad to hear he was as kind and gracious to you as you could’ve hoped. They say never meet your heroes, but then every now and again, people live up to their legend.

[@lordsxman]

Great job Matt! Tab hunter had one of the more happier endings in Hollywood. And his legacy is one of dignity and integrity.

[@hannahlarge5738]

"City under the sea" -anyone that can share a screen with Vincent Price at full ham and hold his own deserves some serious acting creds.

[@MattBaume]

I wish I'd had an opportunity to talk about City Under the Sea! At some point I want to do a video about Vincent Price, so maybe I'll have a chance when I get around to that.

[@hannahlarge5738]

@@MattBaume i'm a huge fan of vincent price. literally can't think of movie he did a bad performance in. No matter how bad the script he always elevates the role. In house of wax, he barely moves his face, but we don't really notice until the reveal that it's a wax mask. in Dr Phibes, a mute mad scientist, he gets more character nuance from a single raise of the eyebrows than most modern actors do in their entire career. Even in the trashy low budget anthology "the monster club" (definitely one for the culture cruise audience) he steals the show as the framing device, the rest of the film is worth watching just to here his speech about "real monsters" at the end. and of course people have argued about the nature of the relationship between Basil and Rattigan for decades, thanks to Price's fantastic voice work. hope this helps with the future video, i look forward to seeing it!

[@bluecollarlit]

"Vincent Price at full ham" Hahaha Hahaha love it

[@fearsomebeard4290]

I was introduced to not only Tab Hunter by the movie Polyester, but also John Waters and Divine. I was sold and immediately became a fan of all three. John waters is a genius, Tab & Divine both incredibly talented actors. Lust in the Dust is simply a masterpiece.

[@johnrichey7494]

Lust in the Dust may have been a masterpiece, but it was NOT John Waters film.

[@sharonh2991]

And Polyester was late in Tab Hunter’s career. I saw Polyester on a date in about 1983. It was Divine.😂

[@fearsomebeard4290]

@@johnrichey7494 never said it was as is pointed out in the video. The video is about Tab, not John Waters.

[@kathleenm3443]

I worked on that movie poster for Lust in the Dust. Met Tab and his partner. A racist, and anti semite. Really an insufferable snob.

[@shad8623]

As a 90s kid, i had never heard of Tab Hunter and only clicked on this video because I needed something playing in the background while I meal prepped. But I'm so glad that i watched this! Very interesting and entertaining!

[@crimsonsmirk]

I had never heard of him but found it deeply moving to hear he spent his later years happy and fulfilled. It's all we can hope for in life.

[@madeleineniesten4089]

Ook

[@robertwirth8459]

Tab Hunter had great positive energy - amazing how he managed to navigate between his private and professional life in Hollywood and remain true to himself. He never hurt anyone in order to protect himself. I heard that there was a biopic being made about him and his relationship with Tony Perkins. There is so much great material in his life that could be made into films - his relationship with Ronnie Robertson, the dog scandal or his first staring role in ‘Island of Desire…

[@AlexPeterson-vw8kw]

Hi Robert

[@amckinna]

Oral history is fundamental to the human experience, especially for us queers. I've heard Tab's name over the years, but I don't think I've ever seen any of his movies. In less than an hour, I was teary about a former stranger and wanting to see more. Thank you, Matt - you are a superb teller of our stories.

[@MattBaume]

Oh that means a lot, so glad you found it moving! Tab's movies are very fun, even the ... well, less-than-award-worthy ones.

[@benfisher1376]

I'm gay not "queer"

[@amckinna]

Good for you, sweetie. Nobody was talking to you. @@benfisher1376

[@Lasuvidaboy-jp4xe]

@@benfisher1376Me too. 😄

[@xBINARYGODx]

I am gay and queer - we took that back, the other gay and bi men that love their f word can kiss my gay, queer ass.

[@emilyrussell8847]

Tab Hunter will NEVER be forgotten in my family. My siblings and I adored Grease 2, we watched it all the time, loved it unironically and quoted it all the time. Only years later did I find out who Tab Hunter was and all that he had been through! There's always a soft spot in my heart for that man, for being part of a truly terrible film that me and my siblings truly love.

[@robertoaguiar8082]

Yes!! That is how I knew about him too. And I also love Grease 2

[@DXPGSA]

Loved it too.

[@jeanninelockridge5235]

Yeah. I thought I was the only one who loved Grease 2. I watch it when ever I can as well.

[@DXPGSA]

@@jeanninelockridge5235 Ahhh Ahhh Ahhh, I’ll be your girl for all seasons 🤓😂 Let’s do it for our country, the red, white, and the blue🇺🇸 And one fine night I’ll be holding on tight. To a cool rider, a cool rider😎 Lets bowl, let’s bowl, let’s rock n’ roll 🎳 Where does the pollen go? 🐝 Fab soundtrack too🏆

[@jhb61249]

I ran into Tab Hunter and mate back in 1988 at Abells Antique Auction in LA one Sunday afternoon. He was very nice, friendly and easy going. RIP Tab.

[@MattHillier]

My partner wrote Tab fanmail 20 years ago and he sent back a signed autograph and personalised thank you letter. For years I had no idea who he was.

[@drdevonprice]

What an uplifting video! It's rare for a queer actor from this era to have a story with such a happy ending. Tab endured a lot of misfortune but he managed to find creative fulfillment, romantic connection, and authenticity despite it all. He seems like he was such a sweet person, too. Thank you for some much-needed queer culture comfort food.

[@pinkyhotmessx69]

How many from Hollywood actually do. I hardly think misery of Hollywood is exclusive to gays

[@dianelipson5420]

I worked for his answering service in the 1980’s. He was the nicest sweetest man.

[@jakemoeller7850]

As a gay kid in the 60s, going to the movies allowed me to fantasize. Tab Hunter and Paul Newman were such eye candy! Thank you very much for this video.

[@TheoRae8289]

I always end up verklempt by the end of your videos. I say in almost every comment, you do incredibly important work, Matt. Thank you for making sure our history isnt forgotten.

[@kyleanuar9090]

"Verklempt"? Couldn't find the meaning.

[@simonjones1342]

​@@kyleanuar9090Verklempt (pronounced “fur-klempt”) means overcome with emotion, perhaps even choked or clenched by emotions.

[@TheoRae8289]

@kyleanuar9090 It's fake Yiddish that Mike Myers coined on Saturday night live for the Coffee Talk skits. It's getting a but misty eyed or being choked up about something. I think he was portraying a Jewish woman from Long Island. Whenever his character said she was getting verklempt, she'd tell the audience to talk amongst themselves while occasionally giving them a random topic.

[@3506Dodge]

Shpilkus in the ganektizoink

[@ekitten02]

​@@TheoRae8289It is a Yiddish loan word with a German spelling. The original Yiddish is Farklempt.

[@HotPeridot2]

I'm 70 and have always loved Tab Hunter. I also loved Polyester and am so glad that's what saved his career. Also, I love it that you can get all of the underlying history about the people you highlight - history many, especially the younger ones, didn't know about (many of us oldsters know a lot of these historical facts you highlight). Thank you for doing all of your videos.

[@midnightspacepirate2553]

This man has been through soo much shit and dealed with soo many snakes yet remained hardworking, lovely and incredibly chilled. RIP KING❤

[@larragunn2809]

One of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He’s greatly missed.. I met Tab through a mutual horse friend. We rode together, his love of horses was infectious! He never talked about all he’d been through in Hollywood, makes me sick, he didn’t deserve any of it. I’m so happy for he and Allen being able to marry. Allen is a sweetheart heart too. I miss Tab and am grateful for this video, thank you ❤

[@slc2466]

Great overview of Hunter's life and career. Want to add that "Battle Cry" was one of 1955's biggest hits with eight million in rentals, placing third for the year (according to Variety's January 25, 1956 edition), which helped place Tab at #2 on Quigley Publications' 1955 "Stars of Tomorrow" poll, right behind Jack Lemmon ("Sea Chase" also landed in the top ten, with six million in rentals- great breakthrough year for Tab!).

[@rogerdale5451]

What a beauty. I never knew much about him, I knew he was my type, blonde, chiseled, and a great smile. People were cruel...Still are sometimes. Many currently famous people are still closeted for fear of the same. So tedious... Thanks Matt Baume!

[@hambeastdelicioso1600]

Hi, I'm here from hbomberguy's channel; the video about plagarism (yes, all four hours of it). I like gay content and got sucked in by James Somerton (big mistake, big plagiarist it turns out). Your channel was mentioned in the hbomberguy video, so here I came and you did not disappoint! I just recently saw Polyester on TCM and it was so great; Tab Hunter was fantastic and Divine was, well, divine! And so, I'm off to watch your John Waters video now.

[@Atelier19a]

I love how your interviews are always respectful and truthful. Never leading the audience with false narrative or trashy catch lines. I always look forward to seeing your videos. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@figmo397]

That was a very sweet bio of Tab. I was glad he was able to come out and be loved for who he was.

[@rixx46]

yet another great documentary. You approach your subjects with such respect and a sense of celebration. Not sugar-coated - but always from a positive perspective rather than clickbait.

[@donaldwarriner1640]

Heart wrenching how much Tab went through. Brings tears to my eyes. He's not forgotten. Thank you for this wonderful documentary on his life.

[@CT-uv8os]

Such a sweet man. So glad he found his love before he passed. Thank you for such a well thought out classy presentation. ❤

[@laurendavis377]

Your videos always bring me so much joy, and this one is no different ❤️

[@christianmurphy5335]

This presenter is a natural, a superb story teller! He's gifted and appreciated.

[@rednekokie]

Thank you, Matt, for bringing out the true side of the life of Tab Hunter. As usual, you provide believable information concerning the subject of your article. Tab Hunter was truly a gentle soul - a genuinely artistic person, and an individual who contributed constantly to the good of everyone whose life he touched, and you presented this in such a beautiful manner. We are fortunate to have the privilege of seeing the world through your eyes. Again, Thank you.

[@mark91345]

I recently read Tab's autobiography and saw the video version as well. This video does an excellent job of summarizing both. Very well done. I very much like Tab Hunter and it's astonishing what he went through, both personally and professionally.

[@AmaanStorm]

The one thing that we can take from this video is that Hollywood is truly an evil place. I didnt know much about Tab as he wasnt a major part of my generation (im 43) but i learned about him through my close friend Rita, who is an 81 year old fan of the silver screen. She is also a self confessed huge fan of gay men, so it was no surprise she loved Tab. This video is superb and im happy that i stumbled across it. Its taught me so much about an incredibly tanacious, strong man who faced a lot of blackmail and hi-jacking of his success by greedy people. I hope he enjoyed his final years as a free person who chose to live his life as he saw fit. RIP Tabo

[@briannorber978]

Matt Baume, there are many who do what you do but no one quite captures your quality, your class, your thoroughness and your ease and charm. I remember reading “Tab Hunter, Confidential” I found it to be such an honest and deeply moving book. When I got to the end, I remember that I was in a Starbucks as I finished it. I got to the part where he says (and I paraphrase) something to the effect of….”And now my life is very different but it’s wonderful up here where I live now. It you happen to pass by and see me out in the yard doing raking leaves and you see me looking toward the sky and muttering something, don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m just saying thank you” I remember sobbing and sobbing in that Starbucks as I finished this amazing story of such a resilient man. It takes great strength to make it through the things he made it through and kept going. And he did it with such dignity. And he came out on top. Thank you for treating him with such dignity in this wonderful piece you’ve done. But that is what you always do. Each video you do is done with such care and style and dignity. Thank you for bringing class to this medium. I am such a fan of you and your work.

[@erichodge567]

47:32 A truly great video about an incredibly resilient human being. His statement at the end, though, really landed with me: "I am happy to be forgotten." May we all be as well with ourselves at the end.

[@pianomanhere]

Matt: You have created a masterpiece of biography and documentary in this video. It does not just highlight the intense struggles of a gay Hollywood star in a profession, milieu and society that hated gay people. It also sets this in the overall backdrop of the life of a man who was a genuinely good person as well, in some ways a tragic hero who ultimately triumphed. Very well done 👍🏻.

[@jenm3056]

This made my night, thank you! You and Tab seemed like adorable buddies--I had no idea how self-deprecating and cute he was in telling stories--and as a Baltimorean, seeing John and Divine were the two little cherries on top.

[@RoderickFernandez-ps5ci]

I met tab Hunter in the 1960s doing Summer stock he was one of the nicest people I've ever worked with nice to all the apprentices good guy later when I move to California you got me settled taught me how to ride a horse we never became best friends but I'll never forget the friendship we did have a really good guy

[@RoderickFernandez-ps5ci]

When I lived in Chicago in California I would walk out in the morning on my front lawn would be covered with snails have to be so careful not to step on and they're so lovely

[@leoinsf]

Thank you, Tab for putting a "great face" on the sexual orientation of all the people born to be gay! As an 87 year old gay man who has lived most of my life rejecting my sexual identity because of my Catholic- family orientation, thanks to people like Tab Hunter, homosexuality is now simply a sexual orientation and not a stage of immorality as Christian churches presently teach!

[@AmaanStorm]

Hello, I felt compelled to respond to your comment. Firstly, huge respect to you for having lived through a time where homosexuality was seen as a punishable crime. It mustve been a terrifying time, and I genuinely have a deep respect for anyone who had to live in fear due to their sexual orientation. As for people struggling with their sexuality, i personally feel that it's incorrect that the world feels the need to desperately identify someones entire existence with their sexual preference. Its incredibly silly, because sexuality is personal and sex is private. The push to identify one's entire existence with something that has no concern to the outside world baffles me. As humans we hold more value as a person than the decision we make on who we chose to sleep with. To me personally, it's like choosing what to eat or what to wear. It doesn't, and shouldnt, hold any real significance to anyone else. As a 44 year old, i see things differently to most people now and although my sexual preference has always been for men, I don't feel the need to use that as something to identify my entire existence with as I'm more than that. I feel that is where the world is going wrong. I hope this makes sense.

[@leoinsf]

@@AmaanStorm Brilliant reply! It comforts me to know that young(er) people will not need to live my life of shame and guilt! I put all the blame on Catholicism: a church that still lives in the Middle Ages where sin and running off to a nunnery or monastery is the way to live. Young people reject churches like that because unlike many of us, they allow themselves to recognize that people develop their morality based upon experience and relationship! I give the Catholic Church 5 years!

[@melaniesheldon8013]

❤solidarity comrade! Thanks for existing ❤

[@AmaanStorm]

@@leoinsf I totally hear you. Religion is basically a load loosely written rules on how one should act, live and conduct themselves. Its not as concrete as people make it out to be, meaning that the principles that make the fundamentals can often be cherry picked to suit one's personal beliefs. I was born to a Pakistani father & an English mother, and I was raised in a Muslim household in England. I experienced similar issues as you did whilst growing up that essentially stunted me and made me question my existence. I actually spoke to an Islamic scholar who once told me that although homosexuality is frowned upon, its frowned upon because the success of the human race is built upon the reproductive between man and woman. What he did mention however is that, aside from the above reason, the main reason homosexuality was frowned upon was the promiscuity of the times when the religion came about. The world was a very different place. I personally am of the theory that gay people were created because we are a natural form of control against overpopulation. Imagine a world if everyone was straight and how many more humans would over-harvest the world of its resources. Anyway, we could debate about life until we are all blue in the face.....we just need to remember the principles of life. And that is to be a kind and caring person who helps and supports others. Enjoy your life for who you are and never apologise. ✨️

[@leoinsf]

@@AmaanStorm Thank you for your supportive reply! I appreciate it! Be aware that I grew up in a strongly Italian family and basically the choice was: heterosexual (with my family) or homosexual (without my family). I was married for 18 years, had 4 children and in the 80's I moved out of the family home. Big mistake! Counseling would have gotten us back together, but Catholic Social Service injected moralism into our problem and the marriage was over. Then prostate cancer reared its ugly head and sexuality became a thing of the past! I am a gay who has never had a gay relationship and words like promiscuity, moralism, don't apply. That is the problem: the assumption of immorality of gay people and this is just plain not fair! Immoral people are born to be hetero or homosexual! It is not fair to "label" every homosexual as immoral!

[@tiagomaqz]

Thank you for making this video. I’m bi and even though I came out to some family members, I still struggle with my sexuality due to my upbringing, hearing how hard people had it back then as a gay person makes it comforting to know how far we’ve come.

[@bradharrah3339]

I appreciate this wholesome yet tragic story. I heard a lot about it in the pre-show and doc on Anthony Perkins...but I only really knew him through Polyester. Thank you so much for this...seemed like such a great guy!

[@WhatWouldLubitschDo]

I’ve been putting off reading his book for 20 years, but maybe after watching this I’ll finally get the inspiration!

[@nightstalkerck]

It's a great book, I have read it several times, you will enjoy it., If you haven't seen the documentary, you should.

[@anthonycopian1298]

I love Matt, I've been following him forever and he interviewed me for The Sewers of Paris. Matt, I'm the playwright who grew up in Miami and now I own Raleigh Tea Company. Thanks Matt for this, I never knew much on Tab.

[@MattBaume]

Oh hey great to bump into you here!!!

[@Lily-wp8ol]

Growing up in Tx. I heard words I did'nt understand. Yet, there was something I understood instinctively. My youngest male cousin was different in a way I felt, but as a femaleI I could not identify. When he came out in college, lots of gossip in this Baptist town! I was not surprised, always stood by. him. He was multi-talented, had a fabulous personality. He eventually became a hair dresser, worked for a popular soap opera. He moved back to this Baptist town and took care of my aunt until she passed. He later moved to LA, worked as a hairdresser for a famous talent show. He made a good life, was happy. Sadly, he passed away much too young. My point is, as a childI I sensed something I could not explain. I loved my cousin, and always felt it was no concern of mine who he loved, how he loved. I saw how mean, hateful people could be to my cousin--who did not choose to be gay, who did not want people lecturing him, belittling him. He just wanted to live his life. I wish we could all live in peace, harmony and love. RIP: RPL

[@BrownEyedGirl1367]

🌹🌹🌹

[@RaulArregui]

Hi Matt: I came up to your video on Rock Hudson yesterday, and about Tab Hunter today. I just want to say a bit THANK YOU to you for putting these great videos together. Not only I learned a lot about these two great men and their live stories, but I was very entertained by your commentary style all through the video. I even felt as if your eyes were a bit teary at the end of the Rock Hudson's video as it was such a sad story; my eyes were teary here too. Thanks Matt. Raul Arregui

[@AlexPeterson-vw8kw]

Hi

[@jakem72]

A closeted 50s movie star with a relatively happy ending!?!?!? Thanks so much for sharing this, the last quote you shared from him brought a tear to my eye.

[@estee233]

I highly recommend reading his biography too. Well written and illuminating. Such a good person and it comes through in the book. I wish he was still alive. I am sure he is at peace though.

[@grahamjones5400]

Tab Hunter would proud 🏳️‍🌈 of you , Matt!!

[@elijahplummer3655]

“Happy to be forgotten” love that ❤

[@nvm9040]

Rest in peace Tab and if DC ever goes back to the stuff that happened in the 80's then i fear the worst. Now Tab and Anthony can catch up and just be close like the old days in the big sky

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

I remember “Young Love” ❤️ That was a great song! 🎶

[@SpookyScaryBats]

Tab was such a sweet soul. Thank you for this video, Matt.

[@carrieannmcleod5219]

I've always liked Tab Hunter and thought he was gorgeous but didn't know much about him. I really enjoyed watching this video. I'm sorry for all the gay actors who were hurt by society as well as their "friends." I'm glad he was happy at the end and found a loving husband. Thank you, you did a great job and now I want to see your other works.

[@MattBaume]

Thanks, glad you liked the video! It's a relief that those times are in the past -- though they could easily come back. It takes continual effort to protect the advances we've made.

[@nightbaron78]

You are very good at what you do, your videos are always well researched and engaging, and this one was no exception. Thank you and great work!

[@lisamortini8567]

I consider myself a cinephile and interested in golden age studios history yet, I'd weirdly never heard of Tab Hunter until today. What a story. What a life. Thanks for a great video once again.

[@magnificentfailure2390]

Thanks! I appreciate watching your videos as I try to understand what my uncle went through.

[@MattBaume]

Thank you, I hope the videos are helpful! It's hard to imagine just how rough life could be back then, but I'm so grateful for the folks who lived through it & can talk openly about what it was like.

[@AnimatedBlast]

Life was hard. My family died from AIDS in the 80s. It was a difficult time.

[@just_passing_through]

I was born in 1964, and it was hard enough growing up gay in my times. I cannot even begin to fathom what it was like in the times Tab grew up. It breaks my heart to even imagine how hard it might have been. And yes, I have fond memories of Tab. How could anyone who saw him on screen not?

[@nunyabiznes33]

That James Dean and Paul Neuman clip actually showed a lot of chemistry - between the two of them. 😁 They were flirting.

[@moustik31]

I really admire his own vision for his career and the brave choices, he made to support it.

[@IsaacNamdarMD]

I really enjoy the in-depth details that you put into all your stories. So appreciate the way you have documented all this history.

[@ciiiel08]

Having grown up watching and loving Grease 2, and only knowing of Tab Hunter by reputation as a closeted movie heartthrob, I was very pleasantly shocked to realise Mr Stuart was played by Tab!! 😊

[@RoderickFernandez-ps5ci]

I worked with tab Hunter in the 1960s and Summer stock one of the nicest kindest gentleman I've ever known. He gave a big party for the apprentices before he left one of them just a really good guy

[@michelledoesstuff]

I actually found out who Tab Hunter was after watching Tab Hunter Confidential awhile back and have been fond of him ever since. I'm so glad that he got to live his life on his terms at the end. This man went through so much yet still remained such a lovely guy despite all those hardships. Really well done video!

[@MicaFarrierRheayan]

He is ahead of his time. Resilience makes him endured the long crazy Hollywood road

[@adriennejames9120]

Wonderfully done Matt!

[@myboibill]

Thanks Matt. I always liked Tab. As a young gay guy I had heard the whisper sun the 79s and took comfort from it. I enjoyed his book and Kent it to how much older coworker who had idolized him in the 50s and she was still shocked that he could be homosexual. I turned to her one day and said well of course you know I am and I thought she was gonna fall over dead. Three cheers for tab Hunter.

[@philtarley5897]

Bravo. Insightful. Slickly produced. Compelling with a deep understanding of human nature and the need to be one's true self and live an authentic life. You have made a documentary that reveals a profound, compassionate exploration of a man's life in all of its complexity.

[@nikofaershee4235]

The fact that guys like this were considered muscular hunks shows how unrealistic nowadays standards are

[@MattBaume]

Isn't it wild? We tend to think of beauty standards as being hard-wired into our brains, but so much of it is just made up.

[@Hello-hello-hello456]

Wait till you realise how many things are just made up

[@PeterSmith-go9ef]

A wonderfully moving, poignant, and uplifting documentary, it is almost impossible to imagine the pressure this warm and generous soul lived under for so many years. He remained such an attractive man, he so deserved the love and contentment he found in his later years. Thank you for this documentary.

[@r-t9266]

I love that this story has a happy ending ! Thanks Matt

[@jeffwatkins352]

What a wonderful love letter to a fabled celebrity of my youth. Though never a fan, I certainly was aware of him. Too pretty, I thought, too ephemeral. What a fine appreciation of his strength and character in the face of such daunting odds. My Tab epiphany came with his glorious bit in The Loved One, a film that made me an Evelyn Waugh devotee. How lovely to know he reveled in his Polyester role. Your appreciation of his career and life is a bracing tonic to the resurgent poison of these dark times in American politics.

[@caroldelaney4700]

Wonderful and inspiring story of real life’s ups and downs. Thanks 🙏

[@drexelmildraff7580]

Great video! You are an incredible story teller. I hung on every word

[@cardsfanboy]

Seriously, you have to be one of the best things on You Tube. I look forward to every single one of your videos and you surpass expectations every single time.

[@MattBaume]

Yay thank you so much for watching! :D

[@andyelycratrevisan1402]

Thank you for bringing us this beautiful story of someone who, despite all the difficulties, despite all the prejudice of a time when ignorance, even inadvertently, caused so much harm to people like Tab Hunter, managed to go through all the setbacks and survive everything bad. Emotional and beautiful story! Obrigado por nos trazer essa linda história de alguém que, apesar de todas as dificuldades, de todo o preconceito de uma época em que a ignorância, mesmo inadvertidamente, causou tanto mal a pessoas como Tab Hunter, conseguiu passar por todos os percalços e sobreviver a tudo de ruim. Emocionante e belíssima história!

[@joalexsg9741]

Thank you for this delightful and touching video. Tab was so special, adorable and handsome. I'm so happy he had finally met such a special guy for him who stayed till the end. That was the most wonderful of all things in his life cause he had the best reward ever in him.

[@joancurran4897]

Great honest & sincere Biography. Never fully realized how tortured gay actors/actresses were by a cruel society in those days. Tab should have had a bigger career in movies/singing - He had all the stuff. Glad he finally found contentment, fulfullment & love on his terms. He deserved it! Everone who saw his movies & enjoyed his song "Young Love' & lived at that time will always fondly remember "Heart Throb Tab Hunter". RIP Tab Hunter, a great human being. Best wishes to all out there in UT Land. ❤❤❤

[@melaniesheldon8013]

❤thank you Sir! Your work is greatly appreciated and well done ❤

[@TheDorkEvilOne]

I can't wait to track down Lust in the Dust & finally read his book. Thank you Matt!

[@HBADGERBRAD]

I found an old biography book on Tab Hunter when I was 14 and fell in LOVE 🥰 LOVE with him. It was full of shirtless photos, this was 1978 so when my mom found it she threw it out, I was devastated! It changed my relationship with my mother. I couldn’t tell her why I was so upset so I started to ignore her and grew distant. We never recovered to this day, and I still fantasise about Tab or Tab like fellas. 💝

[@jackbeedle2956]

Good for you

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

Tab was willing to work hard! 😓

[@matthewperry848]

Wonderful Tab Hunter I’m so glad he finally found peace and love in his life. And Matt, you are beautiful kind and a wonderful soul ❤

[@MrAsmontero]

Can we talk about how well researched are Matt's videos?

[@missnaomi613]

Thank you so much for this. Not only is your work full of fascinating tidbits, but it's also an inspiration/reminder how important it is to get out there and VOTE! We can't let the bigots Make America Sh*tty Again! 🙏❤🏳‍🌈🏳‍⚧🟦

[@meee6836]

This was lovely. It was sensitively told and a credit to you. I get so tired of people just out to make a fast buck and they do not care who they hurt. I remember when Tab Hunter was the latest best thing in movies. He was a gorgeous young man and we were all in love with him. May he Rest in Peace.

[@roycerowland6162]

I remember watching the documentary on Tab Hunter . He led a fascinating life and his story would make a very good biopic I don't know who would play but I would watch a movie about his life.

[@ReelPodcasts]

As always love your work. And I've consistently recommend your stuff to people I know who love entertainment history.

[@MattBaume]

Thank you, and yes please do continue to tell your friends to watch, that's greatly appreciated!!!

[@captainyossarian388]

I think having my ex blackmail me for $10k would've destroyed any optimism I had. Jeesh, what this man was put through, so happy that he found true love and fulfillment in the end.

[@joec1774]

Matt, you raise the bar with each video. Thanks so much for this, such a story of triumph through vulnerability, risk taking and sheer courage. Cheers to you, Mr. Hunter.