William John "Bill" Hunter was an Australian actor of film, stage and television. He appeared in more than 60 films and won two Australian Film Institute Awards. Hunter was born in Ballarat, a son of William and Francie Hunter. He had a brother, John, and a sister, Marie Ann. During his teens, Hunter was a champion swimmer, and briefly held a world record for the 100 yards freestyle until his record was broken by John Devitt in the very next heat ten minutes later. Hunter had qualified for the Australian swimming team in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, but a bout of meningitis ended... his Olympic hopes. Hunter made his film debut as an extra in 1957 film The Shiralee. An introduction to Ava Gardner saw him gain a job as an extra and swimming double in the Hollywood film On the Beach, which was filming in Melbourne. Hunter claimed that he was inspired to take up acting after watching one of the leads do 27 takes of a scene, and thinking he could do better.
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| Birthdate: | February 27, 1940 |
| Birthplace: | Ballarat |
| Date of death: | May 21, 2011 |
| Also known as: | Willaim Hunter, William John Hunter, William John "Bill" Hunter |