1950s Hollywood heartthrob Tab Hunter, who rose to fame with his California surfer looks, has died, three days short of his 87th birthday, according to a post on his Facebook page late Sunday night.

Allan Glaser, Hunter’s life partner for more than 30 years, says Hunter died suddenly from a blood clot that caused a heart attack.

“Tab passed away tonight three days shy of his 87th birthday. Please honor his memory by saying a prayer on his behalf. He would have liked that.”  -Allen Glaser

Hunter’s 2005 memoir, “Tab Hunter Confidential,” which detailed his life as a closeted gay man in Hollywood’s golden age, was adapted into an award-winning documentary in 2015. (Click here for our review: https://thereelness.com/film/tab-hunter-confidential/)  The fun tell-all featured interviews with Hunter and friends describing his romantic relationships with Anthony Perkins and others while pretending to be straight for the public with various Hollywood actresses such as Natalie Wood and Debbie Reynolds.

In an October 2017 interview, Hunter said “Not much in Hollywood has changed in 60 years. I really didn’t talk about my sexuality until I wrote my autobiography.”

Hunter’s on-screen fame also translated into a successful music career. His 1957 recording of “Young Love” reached number 1 for six weeks, knocking Elvis Presley’s “Too Much” out of the top spot.