Hunter’s Thoroughbred Birthday

​July 18, 2026 will be Hunter’s 89^th birthday, although for many years he would not acknowledge that date whenever asked.  Instead, he would say proudly, “I’m like a thoroughbred. All horses have the same birthday, January 1^st.”  Which is true.  In the world of racing, all horses are considered to have been born on the first day of the year in order to make it easier to calculate age qualifications for a race.

​In Hunter’s case, his claim on New Year’s Day as his birthday was part of an interesting strategy of denial at the passage of years, which he picked up from his Mother. He would often say that not only was he born on January 1^st. but that his Mother was as well. They were both thoroughbreds in his mind, immune to time.

​So for many years we purposely ignored Hunter’s birthday until his 50^th came around in 1987. We could not resist celebrating his half century and assumed he would be pleased if we had a bit of a surprise party for him.  About a dozen of us gathered at the Woody Creek Tavern at the corner table by the front window under the buffalo head and waited for Sheriff Bob to deliver him with the excuse of just stopping by the tavern for a drink.

​When they came through the front door, we all screamed “Happy Birthday!”

​Hunter yelled “Fuck You!” turned on his heels and went back to the car, followed by the Sheriff. They sat out there talking while we waited under the buffalo head. After twenty minutes, they drove off. I always wondered what they talked about. Getting old, I imagine.

​“Who do you think you are? Peter Pan?” Hunter would often exclaim. I have a feeling that he wished that he was, like we all do.

​However, towards the end of his life, Hunter began to acknowledge and enjoy his birthdays.  He actually encouraged Deborah and Anita to have parties for him on July 18^th . They were wonderful summer time affairs with gin watermelons and fireworks. We brought him gifts without fear. He particularly liked things that exploded unexpectedly, and we all had great fun.

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​I wrote this piece 16 years ago for the release of my third film about Hunter – Animals, Whores & Dialogue. When my producer Jennifer Erskine looked at the first cut of the film, with a tear in her eye she said, “Now he’ll live for ever.”

​A lot of us have a hard time watching the film with dry eyes, but there’s much fun to be found there too, not unlike those afternoons in July with watermelons filled with gin, exploding catsup bottles, and a twinkle in Hunter’s eyes.

​Happy Birthday, Hunter!