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Peter H. Hunt

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Peter H. Hunt
Born
Peter Huls Hunt

December 19, 1938(1938-12-19)
Pasadena, California,U.S.
DiedApril 26, 2020(2020-04-26)(aged 81)
Los Angeles, California,U.S.
Occupation(s)Director, lighting designer
Years active1958–2003
SpouseBarbette Tweed
Children3
RelativesGordon Hunt(paternal half-brother)
Helen Hunt(niece)

Peter Huls Hunt(December 19, 1938 – April 26, 2020) was an American theatre, film and television director and theatricallighting designer.

Life and career[edit]

Hunt was born inPasadena, California,the son of Gertrude (née Orphüls) and George Smith Hunt II, a Minnesota-born industrial designer.[1]He attended Hotchkiss School and then Yale University, where he received a BA in 1961 and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1963.

Hunt began his professional career as a lighting designer at theWilliamstown Theatre Festivalin 1958. He became artistic director in 1989, a post he held until 1995. He had an active career on Broadway as well, first as a lighting designer and then director. In 1969, he helmed theBroadwaymusical1776,winning theTony Awardfor Best Direction of a Musical for his efforts. His next project,Georgy,was less successful, closing after only four performances. He received a second Tony nomination forGoodtime Charleyin 1975. His last Broadway project wasThe Scarlet Pimpernelin 1997. He directed several benefit shows for the Actors Fund in Los Angeles, includingstaged readingsofSunset BoulevardandCasablanca.

Hunt's feature film credits include the screen adaptation of1776andGive 'em Hell, Harry!He directed numeroustelevision movies,including four based on theHart to Hartseries andDead Man's IslandstarringBarbara Eden.He also directed episodes ofBaywatch,Baywatch Nights,andTouched by an Angel,among others. He was producer-director of four of the feature adaptations in the Peabody Award-winning Mark Twain Series on PBS includingLife on the MississippiandAdventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Hunt was the uncle of actressHelen Hunt,through his half-brother, directorGordon Hunt.He resided in Los Angeles, California. He was married to former actress Barbette Tweed, daughter of lawyer/civic leaderHarrison Tweed.The couple had three children.

Hunt died on April 26, 2020, from complications ofParkinson's diseaseat the age of 81.[2]

Filmography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Helen Hunt ancestry".Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2011.RetrievedOctober 30,2011.
  2. ^"Peter H. Hunt, Tony winner for '1776' and 'Touched by an Angel' director, dies at 81".Los Angeles Times.April 28, 2020.

External links[edit]

Archives at
LocationLibrary of Congress
SourcePater Hunt Papers
How to use archival material
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