Tab Hunter: A Look Back at a Hollywood Legend with Pahokee Ties

Tab Hunter: A Look Back at a Hollywood Legend with Pahokee Ties

Pahokee residents might be surprised to learn of a local connection to a classic Hollywood star. While not a native, actor Tab Hunter, known for his roles in films like "Damn Yankees!" and "Battle Cry," spent formative years right here in our community.

Born Arthur Andrew Kelm in New York City in 1931, Hunter moved to Pahokee, a town on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, with his mother and older brother as a young boy. He attended local schools, including Pahokee High School, before eventually heading west to pursue an acting career. Though his time here was brief, it was a period that shaped the future heartthrob.

Hunter's career spanned decades, from teen idol status in the 1950s to a resurgence in the 1980s with films like "Polyester." His life, including his struggles with his sexuality in an unforgiving era, was later chronicled in his autobiography and a documentary film. While he achieved international fame, the quiet streets and cane fields of Pahokee were once his home.

This glimpse into Pahokee's past reminds us of the diverse lives that have, however briefly, intersected with our town, leaving their own unique mark on its history.