At the age of 83, Tab Hunter bravely unveiled the names of the men he loved in silence, shattering decades of secrecy. Once hailed as America’s golden boy, with his striking blonde hair and captivating blue eyes, Tab was a fixture in Hollywood during the 1950s, yet he carried a hidden truth that could have derailed his illustrious career.
Known for his charming presence on magazine covers and movie posters, Tab’s true self remained concealed behind a façade. He was gay, and for much of his life, he felt compelled to hide his affections, fearing that any slip could lead to catastrophic consequences. However, before his passing, he took a bold step to reclaim his narrative, not for sympathy or fame, but to finally share his story.
This article delves into the five significant men who shaped Tab’s concealed love life. Some were tender, others left scars, and one relationship in particular will leave you stunned. As we explore these connections, it’s important to remember that these are not merely tales of romance but profound survival stories.
In an era when love could cost everything, Tab Hunter paid that price repeatedly.
Let’s start with number five: Anthony Perkins. Their paths crossed in 1956, two rising stars in an industry that adored beautiful faces but shunned genuine emotions. Anthony, a Broadway sensation, and Tab, the quintessential leading man, shared an intense bond that flourished behind closed doors.
Living just a stone’s throw away from each other in West Hollywood, they would often bump into one another at public events but never dared to show affection in front of the cameras.
Their secret meetings were filled with passion, yet the fear of exposure loomed large. A fateful night changed everything when a photographer captured a seemingly innocent moment of them leaving a restaurant. The resulting 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓁 sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with Tab’s fan mail plummeting and studios distancing themselves from him.
In a desperate attempt to salvage his image, Tab’s manager claimed he was dating a woman, while Tab’s heart broke as he received a note from Anthony during a live performance, saying, “I can’t do this anymore. They’ll destroy both of us.” Just like that, their love story ended, leaving Tab with a lingering heartache.
Next up is Ronnie Robertson, the world-class figure skater who brought a sense of freedom into Tab’s life. Their romance blossomed in the early 1950s, before the weight of fame and 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓁 took hold. With Ronnie, love felt light and joyous, a stark contrast to the fear that shadowed Tab’s existence.
They exchanged letters filled with playful banter and secret rendezvous, but when Tab faced a media frenzy after a police raid, everything changed.
In a cruel twist, Ronnie demanded hush money to keep their love letters from being 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭, forcing Tab to pay with nearly all his savings. The betrayal stung deeply, and Tab burned the letters that night, erasing memories of a love that could never be.
The third man on our list is the enigmatic Rudolf Nureyev, a ballet icon whose magnetic presence captivated Tab. Their brief encounters in the 1960s were electrifying yet fraught with danger. Rudolf’s boldness contrasted with Tab’s cautious nature, leading to a whirlwind of emotions that Tab never fully embraced.
Their connection was fleeting, but it reminded Tab of the vibrant life he yearned for, one that he could never fully claim.
Then there was Rodie McDow, a friendship that danced on the edge of something deeper. Rodie understood Tab in ways few others did. Their bond was built on trust and shared moments away from the Hollywood spotlight.
While their relationship never crossed the line into romance, it offered Tab a sense of safety he had long sought. When Rodie passed away, Tab reflected on their friendship as a cherished silence, one he sometimes wished he had spoken into.
Finally, we arrive at Alan Glazer, the man who allowed Tab to be his true self. Meeting later in life, Alan provided the stability and understanding Tab desperately needed. Their relationship blossomed in a quiet home where Tab could finally be loved without pretense.
Together, they created “Tab Hunter Confidential,” a memoir and documentary that revealed the truths Tab had kept hidden for so long.
In his final years, Tab found peace and happiness with Alan, leaving behind the image of the boy next door to embrace the man he had always wanted to be. On July 8, 2018, just days before his 87th birthday, Tab passed away at home, surrounded by love and authenticity.
His journey from concealed affection to open love serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to share your story. What other hidden tales of love and resilience might still be waiting to be told?
