Jeffrey Hunter
Biography
Jeffrey Hunter (November 25, 1926 – May 27, 1969) was an American actor born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is noted for a career that included 72 credited roles across film and television. Hunter is best remembered for playing Martin Pawley in the classic Western The Searchers. His film work featured the title role of Jesus Christ in the 1961 epic King of Kings, a starring part opposite Spencer Tracy in The Last Hurrah (1958), and his debut in the suspense thriller Fourteen Hours (1955). In addition to his movie appearances, he appeared in several television series, among them the western Bonanza. He was also known by the alternate name Henry Her.
Career overview
Jeffrey Hunter was born on November 25, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and died on May 27, 1969 at the age of 42. He began his screen career with a debut in the 1955 suspense crime thriller Fourteen Hours. Early film work led to a supporting role opposite Spencer Tracy in the 1958 drama The Last Hurrah. Hunter’s most widely recognized performances include his portrayal of Martin Pawley in the classic Western The Searchers and his depiction of Jesus Christ in the 1961 biblical epic King of Kings. Throughout his career he accumulated a total of 72 credited acting roles, spanning both film and television.
In addition to his feature‑film work, Hunter appeared in a number of television series, most notably the long‑running western Bonanza. His body of work reflects a range of genres, from suspense and drama to westerns and religious epics, demonstrating the versatility noted in his professional profile. Hunter is listed in TMDB under the name Jeffrey Hunter, with an alternate credit as Henry Her, and is recognized primarily for his contributions as an actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
74 titles- The Resurrection of Christ (2026)
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017) as Captain Christopher Pike (archive footage)
- John Wayne-A Life on Film (2000) as Self (archive footage)
- The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next (1988) as Captain Christopher Pike (archive footage)
- Directed by John Ford (1971) as (archive footage)
- Super Colt 38 (1969) as Billy Hayes
- Cry Chicago (1969) as Frank Mannata
- Sexy Susan Sins Again (1968) as Count Enrico
- Find a Place to Die (1968) as Joe Collins
- The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968) as Lt. (J.G.) Lyman P. Jones
- A Witch Without a Broom (1967) as Garver Logan
- Custer of the West (1967) as Captain Benteen
- A Guide for the Married Man (1967) as Technical Adviser
- Joe Navidad (1967) as Joe Novak
- Star Trek (1966) as Capt. Christopher Pike (archive footage)
- The Green Hornet (1966) as Emmet Crown
- The Monroes (1966)
- Dimension 5 (1966) as Justin Power
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Francis Jerome
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Ralph Stuart
- The Legend of Jesse James (1965) as Jeremy Thrallkill
- Murieta (1965) as Joaquín Murrieta
- Uncle Tom's Cabin (1965) as (voice) (uncredited)
- Star Trek: The Cage (1965) as Christopher Pike
- Brainstorm (1965) as Jim Grayam
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Roark Logan
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963) as Fred Girard
- Temple Houston (1963) as Temple Lea Houston
- The Man from Galveston (1963) as Timothy Higgins
- Gold for the Caesars (1963) as Lacer
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Harold
- Combat! (1962) as Sgt. Dane
- The Longest Day (1962) as Sgt. (later Lt.) John H. Fuller
- No Man Is an Island (1962) as George R. Tweed
- King of Kings (1961) as Jesus
- Man-Trap (1961) as Matt Jameson
- Checkmate (1960) as Edward "Jocko" Townsend
- Sergeant Rutledge (1960) as Lt. Tom Cantrell
- Key Witness (1960) as Fred Morrow
- Hell to Eternity (1960) as Guy Gabaldon
- Disneyland '59 (1959) as Self
- The Last Hurrah (1958) as Adam Caulfield
- In Love and War (1958) as Sgt. Nico Kantaylis
- Mardi Gras (1958) as Himself (uncredited)
- No Down Payment (1957) as David Martin
- The True Story of Jesse James (1957) as Frank James
- Count Five and Die (1957) as Captain Bill Ranson
- The Way to the Gold (1957) as Joe Mundy
- The Searchers (1956) as Martin Pawley
- A Kiss Before Dying (1956) as Gordon Grant
- The Proud Ones (1956) as Thad Anderson
- The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) as William A. Fuller
- Gun for a Coward (1956) as Bless Keough
- Behind the Scenes with Fess Parker (1956)
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Dick Cannock
- White Feather (1955) as Little Dog
- Seven Cities of Gold (1955) as Matuwir
- Seven Angry Men (1955) as Owen Brown
- Climax! (1954) as Wesley Jerome Penn
- Climax! (1954) as Phil Aubry
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Self
- The George Gobel Show (1954) as Self
- Princess of the Nile (1954) as Prince Haidi
- Three Young Texans (1954) as Johnny Colt
- Sailor of the King (1953) as Signalman Andrew 'Canada' Brown
- Red Skies of Montana (1952) as Edward J. (Ed) Miller
- Belles on Their Toes (1952) as Bob Grayson
- Lure of the Wilderness (1952) as Ben Tyler
- Dreamboat (1952) as Bill Ainslee
- Fourteen Hours (1951) as Danny Klempner
- The Frogmen (1951) as Pappy Creighton
- Take Care of My Little Girl (1951) as Chad Carnes
- Call Me Mister (1951) as The Kid
- Julius Caesar (1950) as Third Plebian(uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jeffrey Hunter best known for?
Jeffrey Hunter is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bloodworth (2010), Directed by John Ford (1971), Sexy Susan Sins Again (1968), Find a Place to Die (1968).
When and where was Jeffrey Hunter born?
Jeffrey Hunter was born on November 25, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. They passed away on May 27, 1969.
How many credits does Jeffrey Hunter have?
Jeffrey Hunter has accumulated over 74 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2026.
What is Jeffrey Hunter's background in cinema and television?
Jeffrey Hunter (November 25, 1926 – May 27, 1969) was an American actor born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is noted for a career that included 72 credited roles across film and television. Hunter is best remembered for playing Martin Pawley in the classic Western The Searchers. His film work featured the title role of ...