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Jeffrey Hunter

Jeffrey Hunter

Actor · Died May 27, 1969, aged 42 · New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 25, 1926
Died
May 27, 1969 (aged 42)
From
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 26% in 30 days

What are Jeffrey Hunter's films like?

Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Morality.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
22%
Morality
18%
Bonds
15%
Self
14%
Power
12%
Survival
12%
Ideas
7%
Identity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 36 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 13 · Dark 15

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 20 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 9 · Charged 15 · Intense 12

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 17 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 24 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 15 · Engaged 21 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 14 · Affecting 14 · Heavy 8

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 32 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

25 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 13 of 25 analyzed roles.

Hero
13 of 25
Ally
6 of 25
Shadow
5 of 25
Shapeshifter
1 of 25
Show the 25 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Melancholic
16
Contemplative
10
Warm
7
Joyful
5
Other
33

How their films linger

Bittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous3
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jeffrey Hunter's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jeffrey Hunter's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

70 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Resurrection of Christ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Star Trek: Discovery(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Christopher Pike (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Keith Richards: Under the Influence(2015)

    as Martin Pawley

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Religulous(2008)

    as Jesus

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next(1988)

    as Captain Christopher Pike (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Directed by John Ford(1971)

    as (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The American West of John Ford(1971)

    as actor 'The Searchers'

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Cry Chicago (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Frank Mannata

  • Super Colt 38 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Billy Hayes

  • Sexy Susan Sins Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Count Enrico

  • Find a Place to Die(1968)

    as Joe Collins

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell(1968)

    as Lt. (J.G.) Lyman P. Jones

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Custer of the West(1967)

    as Captain Benteen

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Joe Navidad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Joe Novak

  • A Guide for the Married Man(1967)

    as Technical Adviser

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • A Witch Without a Broom(1967)

    as Garver Logan

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dimension 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Justin Power

  • The Green Hornet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Emmet Crown

  • Star Trek(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Capt. Christopher Pike (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Monroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Francis Jerome · as Ralph Stuart

  • The Legend of Jesse James (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremy Thrallkill

  • Brainstorm(1965)

    as Jim Grayam

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Uncle Tom's Cabin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as (voice) (uncredited)

  • Murieta!(1965)

    as Joaquín Murrieta

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: The Cage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Christopher Pike

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Roark Logan

  • The Man from Galveston(1963)

    as Timothy Higgins

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Girard

  • Temple Houston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 26 episodes · as Temple Lea Houston

  • Gold for the Caesars(1963)

    as Lacer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Combat!(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Dane

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Longest Day(1962)

    as Sgt. (later Lt.) John H. Fuller

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • No Man Is an Island(1962)

    as George R. Tweed

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Harold

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • King of Kings(1961)

    as Jesus

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Man-Trap(1961)

    as Matt Jameson

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Key Witness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Fred Morrow

  • Checkmate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward "Jocko" Townsend

  • Hell to Eternity(1960)

    as Guy Gabaldon

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Sergeant Rutledge(1960)

    as Lt. Tom Cantrell

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Last Hurrah(1958)

    as Adam Caulfield

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • In Love and War(1958)

    as Sgt. Nico Kantaylis

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Count Five and Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Captain Bill Ranson

  • No Down Payment(1957)

    as David Martin

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Way to the Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Joe Mundy

  • The True Story of Jesse James(1957)

    as Frank James

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Gun for a Coward(1956)

    as Bless Keough

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Great Locomotive Chase(1956)

    as William A. Fuller

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Behind the Scenes with Fess Parker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • The Searchers(1956)

    as Martin Pawley

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Proud Ones(1956)

    as Thad Anderson

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • A Kiss Before Dying(1956)

    as Gordon Grant

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Seven Cities of Gold(1955)

    as Matuwir

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The 20th Century Fox Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Dick Cannock

  • Seven Angry Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Owen Brown

  • White Feather(1955)

    as Little Dog

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Three Young Texans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Johnny Colt

  • Climax! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil Aubry · as Wesley Jerome Penn

  • Princess of the Nile(1954)

    as Prince Haidi

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Sailor of the King(1953)

    as Signalman Andrew 'Canada' Brown

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Dreamboat(1952)

    as Bill Ainslee

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Lure of the Wilderness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Ben Tyler

  • Belles on Their Toes(1952)

    as Bob Grayson

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Red Skies of Montana(1952)

    as Edward J. (Ed) Miller

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Take Care of My Little Girl(1951)

    as Chad Carnes

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Fourteen Hours(1951)

    as Danny Klempner

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Call Me Mister (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as The Kid

  • The Frogmen(1951)

    as Pappy Creighton

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Julius Caesar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Third Plebian(uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 67 titles from 1950 to 2026; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

Religulous (2008)

$14M worldwide

Highest rated

The Searchers (1956)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

19502026

Peak 1960 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting67 of 67: 67 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rd

By decade

1950s29 · acting1960s34 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s1 · acting2010s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 21% of 14 roles
5161

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Jeffrey Hunter's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 39; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next (1988)

86th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Longest Day (1962)

Midcredits 96th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Jeffrey Hunter work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jeffrey Hunter's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Wagner shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers