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Jeffrey Hunter (born Henry Herman McKinnies Jr.; November 25, 1926 – May 27, 1969) was an American film and television actor and producer known for his roles in films such as The Searchers and King of Kings. On television, Hunter is known for his 1965 role as Captain Christopher Pike in the original of .
From 1942 to 1945, he spent his summers appearing in small roles for a touring summer-stock theater company from New York called the Northport Players. He made his professional radio debut in his senior year in high school on a program called Those Who Serve, playing a G.I. After graduating from high school in 1945, Hunter joined the United States Navy. He completed a naval radar course at the Radio Technical School and was assigned to Communications Division, Headquarters of the Ninth Naval District in Great Lakes, Illinois. Although he served during World War II, he did not see any battle duty because of a broken arch bone suffered in a high-school football injury.
In college, Hunter appeared in two NU stage productions, including Ruth Gordon's Years Ago (as Captain Absolute). He also acted with the NU Theatre summer-stock company at Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania, in 1947, appearing in Too Many Husbands, The Late George Apley, Payment Deferred, The Merchant of Venice, and Fata Morgana. He did radio work with the NU Radio Workshop and Radio Guild, and worked summers with the NBC Radio Institute in Chicago.
Hunter's first film role came in 1949. While at NU, he was one of a number of students who were cast in David Bradley's version of Julius Caesar (1950). The movie is best remembered today for starring a young Charlton Heston as Mark Antony.
He graduated from NU on August 26, 1949, then moved to the University of California at Los Angeles to get his master's degree in radio. In 1950, he was appearing in a college production of All My Sons (in the role of Chris) and was spotted by talent scouts from Paramount and 20th Century Fox. Paramount tested him – doing two scenes from All My Sons with Ed Begley. They were impressed and offered him an option; Darryl F. Zanuck of Fox heard about this and offered him a long-term contract. The young actor agreed and the studio changed his name to "Jeffrey Hunter" on June 1, 1950.
Marilyn Monroe later gave an interview where she discussed Hunter's appeal:
To me, Jeff is the acme of young American manhood. Why, he looks like he just stepped off a college campus. He's extremely handsome, but this is not what impresses me. He has sort of — well, an all-encompassing type of magnetism. And he's a walking advertisement for marriage. You can't be with Jeff more than two minutes without realizing that he takes his marriage seriously, and adores his wife and child. He talks about them constantly, and with extreme pride ... You would be certain to guess, even without knowing, that Jeff is the real athletic type. He likes to ski especially, and can you think of anyone who would look better soaring down a mountain?
Fox gave Hunter his first starring role in Lure of the Wilderness (1952), a remake of Swamp Water, directed by Negulesco and opposite Jean Peters. After Dreamboat (1952), where Hunter supported Clifton Webb and Ginger Rogers, he was given his best role yet, the starring part in a war film, Sailor of the King (1953), based on C. S. Forester's book, Brown on Resolution. Although financed by Fox, it was essentially a British film, with British talent — Hunter was cast as a Canadian to explain his accent (his casting led to some difficulties with British film unions).
Sailor of the King was a minor success, Filmink arguing Hunter "didn't have that X factor of great, or even second tier stars – Hunter lacked individuality, a presence that compelled the audience to look at him, and we think this is what would hold him back as a star for the rest of his career." Hunter followed it with a Western he made with Mitzi Gaynor, Three Young Texans (1954). Princess of the Nile (1954) was an "Eastern" with Debra Paget in the title role. It was not particularly successful, either, and Hunter did not manage to transition into being a top-line star. The title role in Prince Valiant, which had been mentioned for him, was given to Robert Wagner. "It was a terrible disappointment to me", said Hunter later. "I just didn't know what to do. It seemed my career was over. They were making a lot of pictures on the lot, but I wasn't cast in any of them and I couldn't understand why, particularly since I started out with such a terrific lot of luck."
Hunter then played an Indian chief in the Western White Feather (1955), essentially supporting Robert Wagner. It was a moderate hit at the box office. Hunter said after it, "I had no immediate pictures scheduled ... Nothing seemed to be coming up. I wasn't thinking of leaving my studio — it's important having a major studio behind you. It was just that I was restless, and nothing seemed to be happening."
With a friend, Bill Hayes, he set up a production company, Hunter Enterprises. They produced a documentary, The Living Swamp. Hunter also began appearing regularly on television, having particular success in an episode of Climax! he made with Margaret O'Brien. Back at Fox, he supported Anthony Quinn in Seven Cities of Gold (1955).
He was lent to United Artists along with fellow Fox contract players Wagner and Joanne Woodward for A Kiss Before Dying (1956). Wagner had the best role —as a killer—while Hunter had the more conventional leading-man part. (The movie was shelved for a year before being released.) Filmink wrote "Hunter's specialty by this time might best be described as 'sensible principled character who acts as a counterpoint to a neurotic lead'." A loan-out to co-star with John Wayne in the title roles of the now-classic Western The Searchers (1956) began the first of three pictures he made with director John Ford, followed by The Last Hurrah (1958) and Sergeant Rutledge (1960).
Disney borrowed him to play William Allen Fuller in the Civil War action movie The Great Locomotive Chase (1956), opposite Fess Parker. Ironically, according to Parker's Archive of American Television interview, Ford had originally wanted to cast Parker in Hunter's role in The Searchers, but Disney refused to lend him out, something Parker did not hear about until years later; Parker referred to this lost opportunity as his single biggest career setback.
The success of The Searchers and The Great Locomotive Chase reignited Fox's interest in Hunter and the studio re-signed him, while giving him the right to make one "outside" film a year.
He supported Robert Ryan in a Western, The Proud Ones (1956). Hunter went over to Universal Studios and supported another older star, Fred MacMurray, in another Western, Gun for a Coward (1957), in a role originally meant for James Dean. Back at Fox, Hunter was reunited with Wagner as the James brothers in The True Story of Jesse James (1957), directed by Nicholas Ray (Hunter played Frank James); it was mildly popular, although considered a critical disappointment.
Fox gave him a leading role in The Way to the Gold (1957), another Western. It was a low-budget production, but proved profitable. He was one of several leads in Fox's look at young people, No Down Payment (1957) – not a big hit, but the early work for director Martin Ritt received some critical acclaim. Fox sent Hunter to Britain to be an American star in a British war film once more: Count Five and Die (1957).
John Ford cast him in another film, The Last Hurrah (1958), starring Spencer Tracy. He had a cameo as himself in the Pat Boone musical at Fox, Mardi Gras (1958).
Hunter then made a war film, In Love and War (1958), co-starring with several other Fox signees such as Wagner. It proved popular.
Hunter formed a production company, Mexico Films, and made a film in Mexico, The Holy City, The Sacred City. It struggled to find a release.
John Ford used him for a third (and final) time as the lead in the Western legal drama Sergeant Rutledge (1960) starring Woody Strode, and the film was not a big success.
Hunter was in an urban thriller, Key Witness (1960), directed by Phil Karlson. After making the film, Fox did not renew its contract with Hunter.
In June 1959 he announced he would make The Golden Horde for his own company, Hunter Enterprises.
Nicholas Ray cast Hunter in the role of Jesus in the $8 million epic King of Kings (1961), produced by Samuel Bronston. "I've broken my shackles at last", said Hunter at the time. He told Louella Parsons, "Christ was a carpenter and 33 years old, and I am 33, and I suppose my physical measurements fitted the description in the New Testament. At the time of His death, He was robust, and not a delicate man."
It was a difficult part, met by critical reaction that ranged from praise to ridicule because of Hunter's youthful, matinee-idol appearance. However, the film was a box-office hit and remains one of Hunter's best-remembered roles.Gwilym Beckerlegge, From Sacred Text to Internet, Ashgate, 2001, p.268. Hunter later said: "I still get an average of 1,500 letters a month from people who saw me in that film and share the beauty and inspiration I derived from it with me. There are some things that can't be measured in dollars and cents and how can anyone put a price—even the price of a million-dollar career—on the role of the greatest Being this mortal world has ever known?"
When Hunter returned to Hollywood, he deliberately selected parts that were different, such as that of a psychopathic killer in an episode of Checkmate and as the lead in a heist thriller Man-Trap (1961), directed by actor Edmond O'Brien.
At Universal, Hunter starred in No Man Is an Island (1962), the story of George Ray Tweed. He joined an all-star cast in the Fox World War II battle epic The Longest Day. Hunter provided a climactic heroic moment playing a sergeant who is killed while leading a successful attempt to breach the defense wall atop Omaha Beach in Normandy.
He traveled to Italy to make Gold for the Caesars (1963) with director André de Toth. He was set to costar with Spencer Tracy and James Stewart in The Long Flight when he received an offer to appear in a television show.
Having guest-starred on television dramas since the mid-1950s, Hunter was offered a two-year contract by Warner Bros. studio head Jack Warner that included a starring role as Circuit riding Texas lawyer Temple Lea Houston, the youngest son of Sam Houston, in the NBC series Temple Houston (1963–1964), which Hunter's production company coproduced.
Temple Houston did not survive beyond 26 weeks, and in 1964, Hunter accepted the lead role of Captain Christopher Pike in "", the first pilot episode of , completed in early 1965 (with a copyright date of 1964). Hunter declined to appear in a second Star Trek pilot requested by NBC in 1965 in order to concentrate on film roles. He told the press, "I was asked to do it, but had I accepted, I would have been tied up much longer than I care to be. I have several things brewing now and they should be coming to a head in the next few weeks. I love doing motion pictures and expect to be as busy as I want to be in them." Star Trek creator and producer Gene Roddenberry wrote to him on April 5, 1965:
I am told you have decided not to go ahead with Star Trek. This has to be your own decision, of course, and I must respect it. You may be certain I hold no grudge or ill feelings and expect to continue to reflect publicly and privately the high regard I learned for you during the production of our pilot.
David Alexander, Star Trek Creator: The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry, Roc, 1994, p. 244. .J.D. Spiro, " Happy in Hollywood " (interview), The Milwaukee Journal, July 4, 1965.Herbert F. Solow and Robert H. Justman, Inside Star Trek: The Real Story, Pocket Books, 1996. .
Later in 1965, Hunter filmed the pilot for another NBC series, the espionage thriller Journey into Fear, which the network rejected.Lee Goldberg, Unsold Television Pilots 1955–89, Backinprint.com, 2001, .
His films included the William Conrad thriller Brainstorm (1965), the Western Murieta (1965), the spy film Dimension 5 (1965), the Hong Kong-filmed but unreleased Strange Portrait (1966) and A Witch Without a Broom (1967), a comedy fantasy set in Spain. He guest-starred on Insight, Daniel Boone and The F.B.I.
After a cameo in A Guide for the Married Man (1967), Hunter took the lead role in a Western shot in Spain for Sidney W. Pink, The Christmas Kid (1967). Hunter appeared in Custer of the West (1968), also shot in Spain.
In Hollywood, Hunter supported Bob Hope in The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968). He returned to low-budget films such as Find a Place to Die (1968), a spaghetti Western, although in the lead role. He appeared in Italian films such as Sexy Susan Sins Again (1968) and Cry Chicago (1969), and was set to make A Band of Brothers with Vince Edwards when he died.
On the afternoon of May 26, 1969, Hunter suffered an intracranial hemorrhage while walking down stairs at his home in Van Nuys, California. He fell, fracturing his skull. He was found unconscious and taken to Valley Presbyterian Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery. He died at about 9:30 the following morning at the age of 42.
Hunter's funeral was held at St Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys on May 31. He is interred at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar.
Allan R. Ellenberger (2025). 9780786409839, McFarland & Company Incorporated Pub. ISBN 9780786409839
Honors
For his contribution to the television industry, Hunter has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6918 Hollywood Boulevard.
Filmography
+ Film 1950 Julius Caesar Third Plebeian Uncredited 1951 Call Me Mister The Kid Two minute part. 1951 Fourteen Hours Danny Klempner First film under the contract with Fox. Also stars Grace Kelly in a small role. 1951 The Frogmen Pappy Creighton First featured billing. First film with Robert Wagner. 1951 Take Care of My Little Girl Chad Carnes 1952 Red Skies of Montana Edward J. (Ed) Miller Alternative title: Smoke Jumpers. Billed third. 1952 Belles on Their Toes Dr. Bob Grayson 1952 Lure of the Wilderness Ben Tyler First leading role. 1952 Dreamboat Bill Ainslee 1953 Sailor of the King Signalman Andrew 'Canada' Brown Alternative titles: C.S. Forester's Sailor of the King, Single-Handed.
First starring role.1954 Three Young Texans Johnny Colt First Western. 1954 Princess of the Nile Prince Haidi 1955 White Feather Little Dog 1955 Seven Angry Men Owen Brown Alternative title: God's Angry Man. First film made on loan out to another studio, Allied Artists. 1955 Seven Cities of Gold Matuwir 1955 The Living Swamp Documentary film. Hunter produced. 1956 The Great Locomotive Chase William A. Fuller Alternative title: Andrews' Raiders 1956 A Kiss Before Dying Gordon Grant Filmed immediately before The Searchers but not released until after. 1956 The Searchers Martin Pawley 1956 The Proud Ones Thad Anderson 1957 Gun for a Coward Bless Keough 1957 The True Story of Jesse James Frank James 1957 The Way to the Gold Joe Mundy 1957 No Down Payment David Martin 1958 Count Five and Die Captain Bill Ranson Shot in Britain. 1958 The Last Hurrah Adam Caulfield Second film for John Ford. 1958 In Love and War Sgt. Nico Kantaylis Last film under contract to Fox. 1959 La ciudad sagrada Credited as producer; re-released in 1964 as The Mighty Jungle, combined with new African-shot footage with Marshall Thompson 1960 Sergeant Rutledge Lt. Tom Cantrell Last film for John Ford. 1960 Hell to Eternity Guy Gabaldon 1960 Key Witness Fred Morrow 1961 Man-Trap Matt Jameson 1961 King of Kings Jesus 1962 No Man Is an Island George R. Tweed 1962 The Longest Day Sgt. (later Lt.) John H. Fuller Credited as Jeff Hunter 1963 Gold for the Caesars Lancer Alternative title: Oro per i Cesari. Filmed in Italy. 1963 The Man From Galveston Timothy Higgins Pilot for Temple Houston. 1965 Murieta Joaquín Murrieta Alternative title: Joaquín Murrieta 1965 Uncle Tom's Cabin Alternative title: Onkel Toms Hütte
Voice, Uncredited1965 Brainstorm Jim Grayam Credited as Jeff Hunter 1966 Dimension 5 Justin Power 1966 Strange Portrait Mark Film never released theatrically. 1967 A Witch Without a Broom Garver Logan Credited as Jeff Hunter 1967 A Guide for the Married Man Technical Adviser (Mountain Climber) Cameo role 1967 The Christmas Kid Joe Novak 1967 Custer of the West Capt. Frederick Benteen 1968 The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell Lt. (J.G.) Lyman P. Jones 1968 Find a Place to Die Joe Collins Alternative title: Joe... cercati un posto per morire! 1968 Sexy Susan Sins Again Count Enrico Alternative titles: Frau Wirtin hat auch einen Grafen
The Hostess Also Has a Count1969 Super Colt 38 Billy Hayes 1969 Cry Chicago Frank Mannata Alternative titles: The Mafia Mob
Cry Chicago
(final film role)+ Television 1955–1957 Climax! Wesley Jerome Penn
Phil AubryEpisode: "South of the Sun"
Episode: "Hurricane Diane"1956 The 20th Century Fox Hour Dick Cannock Episode: "The Empty Room" 1958 Pursuit Lt. Aaron Gibbs Episode: "Kiss Me Again, Stranger" 1960 Destiny, West! John Charles Fremont TV movie 1961 Checkmate Edward "Jocko" Townsend Segment: "Waiting For Jocko" 1962 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Harold Episode: "Don't Look Behind You" 1962 Death Valley Days Capt. Walter Reed, MD Episode: "Suzie" 1962 Combat! Sergeant Dane Episode: "Lost Sheep, Lost Shepherd" 1963–1964 Temple Houston Temple Houston 26 episodes
Star and Executive producer1963–1964 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Gabe
Barry StinsonEpisode: "Seven Miles of Bad Road"
Episode: "Parties to the Crime"1965 Kraft Suspense Theatre Fred Girard Episode: "The Trains of Silence" 1965–1967 The F.B.I. Francis Jerome
Ralph StuartEpisode: "The Monsters"
Episode: "The Enemies"1966 Journey into Fear Dr. Howard Graham Episode: "Seller's Market" 1966 The Legend of Jesse James Jeremy Thrallkill Episode: " A Field of Wild Flowers" 1966 Daniel Boone Roark Logan Episode: "Requiem for Craw Green" 1966 The Green Hornet Emmet Crown Episode: "Freeway to Death" 1965–1966 Captain Christopher Pike Episode: ""
Released posthumously (1986)
Episode: ""
Footage incorporated from "The Cage"1967 The Monroes Ed Stanley Episode: "Wild Bill" 1967–1969 Insight James Smith
KenEpisode: "Madam"
Episode: "The Poker Game"
External links
Categories: 1926 Births, 1969 Deaths, 20th Century Studios Contract Players, Accidental Deaths From Falls, Accidental Deaths In California, 20th-century American Male Actors, American Male Film Actors, American Male Television Actors, American Television Producers, Warner Bros. Contract Players, Northwestern University School Of Communication Alumni, Male Actors From New Orleans, Male Actors From Milwaukee, Male Western Film Actors, University Of California, Los Angeles Alumni, United States Navy Officers, United States Navy Personnel Of World War Ii, 20th-century American Businesspeople, California Republicans, American Episcopalians, Film Producers From Wisconsin, Film Producers From Louisiana, Whitefish Bay High School Alumni, American People Of Scottish Descent, Deaths From Intracranial Haemorrhage, Phi Delta Theta Members
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