Gay Affairs & Fake Girlfriends: Tab Hunter's Biggest Secrets & Scandals Exposed
July 9 2018, Published 2:51 p.m. ET
Tab Hunter died this Monday at age 86, after a blood clot in his leg caused him to go into cardiac arrest. His longtime partner, Allan Glaser was by his side and confirmed the sad news to reporters. Now, RadarOnline.com is looking back at the gay icon's legacy, as well as his biggest Hollywood secrets and scandals. Learn more.
Tab Hunter was known throughout Hollywood as a hunky on-screen heartthrob who broke women's hearts and went on dates with the most gorgeous women in the industry—but behind closed doors, the actor only had eyes for a few special men.
During his final years, Hunter opened up about his much-questioned sexuality, telling fans and reporters that he was happy to be living an openly-gay life after so many decades of hiding.
In 2015, Hunter told National Enquirer that his first great love was Psycho star Anthony Perkins. "Tony and I were together for two or three years" he admitted in an interview, later adding that producers forced them to split.
Hunter also said that while a couple of his closest friends knew he was gay, he was always afraid that coming out would ruin his career, so he let his producers and managers set him up on dates with beautiful actresses.
Due to this, Hunter ended up "dating" some of the biggest names in the business, including Natalie Wood, Debbie Reynolds and Sophia Loren.
After Wood's death, Hunter told the Enquirer that he "loved her like a little sister" and recalled their fake dates: when they'd get photographed having dinner together just so the actress could sneak off on her real date with Dennis Hopper hours later.
He also remained best friends with Debbie Reynolds, and was heartbroken by her sad death.
In 2015, the actress herself told Globe that Hunter was one of her first dates. "In those days, gay people weren't able to be open about their lives, so the studios arranged dates for all the actors. Thankfully, times have changed," she said at the time. "Although Tab and I didn't have a romance, we have been great friends."
Apart from having a tight group of Hollywood actress BFFs, Hunter was also linked to various gay men in the industry, including celebrated author Ray Stricklyn.
For the last 35 years of his life, however, Hunter remained completely in love with boyfriend Allan Glaser.
The two reportedly got engaged around 2015, but never ended up walking down the aisle.
Globe reported in 2017 that Hunter did not want to get a marriage license with Glaser because he did not think it would truly strengthen their relationship.
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In his 2017 documentary, Tab Hunter Confidential, Hunter opened up about his fake female relationships and said he was happier than ever living in his Santa Monica, California property with his boyfriend and horses.
They remained deeply passionate about each other till the very end.
RIP Tab Hunter
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