Tab Hunter, the midcentury film star known for leading roles in Marty and The Rainmaker, was married once, to actress Ann Todd. The marriage lasted from 1955 to 1958. In later life, he formed a long-term partnership with Scott Forbes that endured for decades. This overview presents verified details about his marital status, relationship timelines, and publicly documented partnerships, avoiding speculation and focusing on records and credible reporting.
Quick Relationship Summary
Tab Hunter’s relationship history centers on one legal marriage and a long-term partnership. He married Ann Todd in 1955 and divorced in 1958. Afterward, he lived with Scott Forbes from the early 1960s until his death in 2018. He identified as bisexual. No other marriages are documented in authoritative sources.
Tab Hunter’s Marriage to Ann Todd
Courtship and Wedding Details
Tab Hunter married Ann Todd on August 1, 1955. The wedding occurred in Beverly Hills, California, and was noted in entertainment coverage of the time. Both were public figures, and the union aligned with Hollywood norms of the 1950s.
Duration and Divorce
The marriage lasted approximately three years. Hunter and Todd divorced in 1958. Press coverage at the time often framed the split as amicable, though private challenges were not fully disclosed. Details about property settlements or ongoing contact are limited in public records.
Context and Public Perception
During the marriage, Hunter continued working in film and became a top box-office draw. The union with Todd was seen as part of his marketable image, yet he later spoke about feeling pressure to conform to expectations around masculinity and sexuality.
Long-Term Partnership with Scott Forbes
After his divorce, Hunter began a relationship with actor Scott Forbes in the early 1960s. They lived together for more than fifty years. The pair were often described as partners in interviews, though they did not marry. Forbes was a steady presence in Hunter’s personal and later professional life.
Identity and Public Statements
Hunter acknowledged bisexuality in his 2005 memoir Tab Hunter Confidential. He discussed relationships with both men and women and described his marriage to Todd as part of a complex personal journey. Later interviews emphasized privacy and the importance of authenticity.
Comparison of Key Relationships
| Partner | Relation Type | Years | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Todd | Marriage | 1955–1958 | Divorce |
| Scott Forbes | Partnership | 1960s–2018 | Ends with Hunter’s death |
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Hunter lived with Forbes and remained active in public life through memoirs and interviews. He acknowledged both the personal costs of early superstardom and the relief of living more openly late in life. His relationship timeline underscores shifts in cultural attitudes toward sexuality and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did Tab Hunter have children? Public records show no children from his marriage or partnership.
- Was Tab Hunter openly gay during his career? He lived discreetly during peak fame, later identifying as bisexual.
- Are any descendants recorded? No children or known descendants are documented in reliable sources.
Key Takeaways
- Tab Hunter was legally married once, to Ann Todd, from 1955 to 1958.
- He spent his later years with partner Scott Forbes in a long-term, unmarried partnership.
- His public statements acknowledge bisexuality and the pressures of Hollywood conformity.
- No other marriages or documented spouses appear in authoritative biographies or records.