SUMMARY: Tab Hunter, a blond actor who became a Hollywood heartthrob in the 1950s and 60s, plans to reveal his homosexuality in a forthcoming memoir.

Tab Hunter, a blond actor who became a Hollywood heartthrob in the 1950s and 60s, plans to reveal his homosexuality in a forthcoming memoir.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Hunter has signed a deal with Simon & Schuster, and a major focus of the book will be the actor's struggles to hide his sexual orientation in order to maintain his career.

The book will be published in two years, according to the Times.

Hunter, 72, rose to stardom in the early 1950s, appearing as a romantic lead in several films. Many of his popular movies, such as "Island of Desire," "The Sea Chase" and "Ride the Wild Surf," had nautical or beach themes.

Rumors about his sexuality also date back to the '50s, when gossip magazines suggested he was gay. During that time period, he had a relationship with actor Anthony Perkins, and they both worked hard to conceal it.

"I know when Tony and I went to the movies, he would say, 'Let's go in disguise,'" Hunter told the Times. "We always wore baseball caps. Or he'd say: 'You go at a certain time. I'll go later.' I knew people were talking. I didn't like that."

Earlier this year, another veteran leading man came out. Richard Chamberlain, 68, revealed that he is gay in conjunction with the publication of his memoir, "Shattered Love." Chamberlain starred in the TV series "Dr. Kildare" and played the tormented love-struck priest in the miniseries "The Thorn Birds."

------------------------

Gee, i guess better late than never.

Does this mean in 30 years...we'll finally hear names like Ricky Martin and Tom Cruise in the news again?

Gotta say this much...he was a definite hottie.

pics?

Gives a whole new meaning to the name Tab Hunter.

For some reason, I thought he was already out.

He sure was a hottie! His name reminds me of a porno name though.

Link?

Didn't Stewie mention him in a Family Guy episode somewhere along the way?

same here, why does this not surprise me. Wasn't he in one of John Waters movies with Divine?

I, too, thought he was already out.

Yep, he played Divine's husband in Polyester.

While in an airport, Stewie accuses Rupert (his teddy bear) of "looking at the boys again" instead of watching the luggage, "especially the steward who looks like Tab Hunter". Great scene.

I too thought he was already "out".

I think he was already out like Liberace was "out".

As opposed to the way Richard Chamberlain was 'out'.

Agreed.

Yeah....richard chamberlain was the poor man's Indiana Jones: Allan Quartermaine.

So he wasn't as obvious.

Yeah, he was out. He was Divine's boyfriend in Polyester, her husband was somebody else.

Yes, because anyone who plays a gay man in a movie, must be gay in real life.

If you are a gay actor in the closet, you play a gay role to show your range. Remember, you're an artiste and point to Russell Crowe ( see: The Sum of Us ) and say emphatically, "No, we're not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that."

How does Colin Farrell say it in those Dinner for Five promos on IFC? "Next you'll be telling me that Liberace was gay! Noooo."

I woulda hit it.... 30 years ago.

I stand corrected, Tab Hunter didn't play Divine's husband in Polyester (been awhile since I've seen the film). At any rate, wheather he played a gay or straight character doesn't mean a damn thing in a Waters film. Hell, often John likes to cast gays as straights and visa versa, just to keep things interesting.

Next they'll be saying rip taylor is gay.

At least his parents did not name him Richard!

Woah! That is not what I meant. I was confirming that he'd been out and correcting someone who'd said that he played Divine's husband. He played Todd Tomorrow who romanced Divine's Francine Fishpaw who was married to porn theater owner Elmer Fishpaw. This is one of my favorite movies. I have 3 Odorama cards personally autographed by John Waters.

I guess I should have spaced the sentences apart. People jump to offence too easily.