Jeffrey Hunter

Date of Birth: November 25, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: May 27, 1969

Biography

Jeffrey Hunter, born Henry Herman McKinnies Jr., was an American actor known for his versatility and striking good looks, which earned him a number of leading roles in both film and television. Hunter was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He developed an early interest in acting and attended Northwestern University, where he studied theater. Hunter’s career took off in the 1950s with roles in “The Searchers” (1956), in which he starred alongside John Wayne, and “King of Kings” (1961), where he portrayed Jesus Christ. He also played Captain Christopher Pike in the original “Star Trek” pilot, “The Cage.” Despite his promising career, Hunter’s life was cut short in 1969 due to a cerebral hemorrhage following a fall.

5 Interesting Facts about Jeffrey Hunter

1. Jeffrey Hunter’s birth name was Henry Herman McKinnies Jr.

2. He portrayed Jesus Christ in the 1961 film “King of Kings.”

3. He was the first actor to play Captain Christopher Pike in “Star Trek.”

4. Hunter was a football star in high school and continued to be athletic throughout his life.

5. He was once under contract with 20th Century Fox, which helped him rise to fame.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jeffrey Hunter

1. “I love the challenge of variety. From one role to another, I have to adjust, change, and adapt.”

2. “Each role I play gives me something new to think about.”

3. “Acting is a way of living out one’s fantasies.”

4. “The best thing about acting is that it keeps you young.”

5. “I’ve always been curious about people and how they live their lives.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Jeffrey Hunter’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

Jeffrey Hunter had three children. He had a son, Christopher, from his first marriage to actress Barbara Rush. From his second marriage to Joan Bartlett, he had two more children: Todd and Scott.