Jeffrey Hunter
ActingAbout Jeffrey Hunter
Jeffrey Hunter (November 25, 1926 – May 27, 1969) was a versatile American actor who made a significant impact on the film and television industry. He is best known for his portrayal of Martin Pawley in the classic Western film, The Searchers. However, his talent extended beyond Westerns. He also delivered compelling performances in other notable films such as: King of Kings (1961): Hunter played the pivotal role of Jesus Christ in this epic biblical film. The Last Hurrah (1958): He starred alongside Spencer Tracy. Fourteen Hours (1955): He made his film debut in this suspenseful crime thriller. In addition to his film work, Hunter also appeared in several television shows, including Bonanza and The Virginian. Unfortunately, his career was tragically cut short in 1969 at the age of 42 due to an Intracranial hemorrhage.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Jeffrey Hunter reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Jeffrey Hunter's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 28% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Jeffrey Hunter remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Searchers, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Jeffrey Hunter Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Jeffrey Hunter's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Jeffrey Hunter.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Directed by John Ford | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1969 | Cry Chicago | Frank Mannata | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | Super Colt 38 | Billy Hayes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | Sexy Susan Sins Again | Count Enrico | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | Find a Place to Die | Joe Collins | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell | Lt. (J.G.) Lyman P. Jones | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | Custer of the West | Captain Benteen | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | Joe Navidad | Joe Novak | Flop | Similar → |
| 1967 | A Guide for the Married Man | Technical Adviser (Mountain Climber) | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | A Witch Without a Broom | Garver Logan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1966 | Dimension 5 | Justin Power | Flop | Similar → |
| 1965 | Brainstorm | Jim Grayam | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Uncle Tom's Cabin | (voice) (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Star Trek: The Cage | Christopher Pike | Average | Similar → |
| 1965 | Murieta | Joaquín Murrieta | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Man from Galveston | Timothy Higgins | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | Gold for the Caesars | Lacer | Flop | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Longest Day | Sgt. (later Lt.) John H. Fuller | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | No Man Is an Island | George R. Tweed | Average | Similar → |
| 1961 | King of Kings | Jesus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Man-Trap | Matt Jameson | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | Key Witness | Fred Morrow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | Hell to Eternity | Guy Gabaldon | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | Sergeant Rutledge | Lt. Tom Cantrell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Disneyland '59 | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Last Hurrah | Adam Caulfield | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Mardi Gras | Himself (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | In Love and War | Sgt. Nico Kantaylis | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Count Five and Die | Captain Bill Ranson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1957 | No Down Payment | David Martin | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | The True Story of Jesse James | Frank James | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | Gun for a Coward | Bless Keough | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Great Locomotive Chase | William A. Fuller | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Searchers | Martin Pawley | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Proud Ones | Thad Anderson | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | A Kiss Before Dying | Gordon Grant | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | Seven Cities of Gold | Matuwir | Average | Similar → |
| 1955 | Seven Angry Men | Owen Brown | Flop | Similar → |
| 1955 | White Feather | Little Dog | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Three Young Texans | Johnny Colt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1954 | Princess of the Nile | Prince Haidi | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Sailor of the King | Signalman Andrew 'Canada' Brown | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Dreamboat | Bill Ainslee | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Lure of the Wilderness | Ben Tyler | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Belles on Their Toes | Bob Grayson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Red Skies of Montana | Edward J. (Ed) Miller | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Take Care of My Little Girl | Chad Carnes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Danny Klempner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Call Me Mister | The Kid | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Frogmen | Pappy Creighton | Average | Similar → |
Jeffrey Hunter - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Jeffrey Hunter?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jeffrey Hunter is "The Searchers" with a rating of 7.7/10.
How many movies has Jeffrey Hunter acted in?
Jeffrey Hunter has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Jeffrey Hunter?
Other notable films include "The Longest Day", "King of Kings", and "Fourteen Hours".