Jeffrey Hunter: The Film, Television, Radio and Stage Performances

Jeffrey Hunter is best remembered today for his roles as half-breed Martin Pawley in John Ford’s classic western The Searchers (1956), as Jesus Christ in Nicholas Ray’s King of Kings (1961) and as Christopher Pike, the first captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, in the original Star Trek pilot. This work chronicles Hunter’s entire film and television career from his beginnings as a 20th Century-Fox contract player to his untimely death in 1969 at the age of 42.

Fellow 20th Century-Fox contract player Robert Wagner provides the Foreword and contributes his memories of working with Hunter on many Fox features. Herbert F. Solow, former Vice-President of Desilu Studios, Head of Desilu Productions and Executive Producer/Producer, is interviewed regarding Hunter’s role in the original Star Trek pilot and Lloyd J. Schwartz shares his memories of being present at Hunter’s audition for the role of Mike Brady in The Brady Bunch (1969). Hunter’s “lost” film Strange Portrait (1966) is also discussed and his radio and theater career covered in detail.