Practically every aspect of Hunter tends to defy the what most people may notice on the surface. At first you may be drawn to her penetrating blue eyes and striking cheekbones from her Cherokee Indian background, but getting to know her you sense a wild-at-heart tomboy who enjoys rock music and a love of exotic animals - that is when she's not sparring in the boxing ring. Twice she's graced People magazine's list of "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" in the 1993 edition Hunter appeared with one of her 10' boa constrictors which closely captured her real passion.

The Texas native can go from grunge to glitzy at the drop of a hat, but feels comfortable in whatever she is wearing. According to a recent online chat, Tylo said she goes from casual ("dressed down with flat boots and a bandana") to "very classy elegant clothing" for a night on the town.

Hunter Tylo was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. The third of four children (she has an older brother and sister, as well as a younger brother), Hunter was a tomboy who enjoyed horseback riding and training guard dogs, and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.

Once a pre-Med student at Fordham University, Tylo has slightly switched gears, but is currently continuing her education in Los Angeles to earn an MBA - not bad for a gal who once mail-ordered an alligator with her spending allowance at the age of 7. Hunter's life is divided among an acting career, a highly successful non-profit organization, spokeswoman against childhood blindness and eye diseases, her own line of cosmetics, four children, one wonders how she has time to herself.

Hunter's early career began in Dallas, TX. A young, single mother, she worked in local commercials and print ads to make ends meet. She learned her craft in theater, mostly performing in comedies by Neil Simon. While in a performance of Vanities in the role of Mary, a casting director from All My Children spotted her and suggested she go to New York to audition for the part of Robin McCall. ABC's All My Children was Tylo's home for the next two years, and also proved to change her destiny, as she met ex husband, actor Michael Tylo, on the set of the soap opera. They have 4 children, Chris, Michael II, Izabella and Katya.

Hunter was cast next as Marina Toscano Johnson on Days of Our Lives on NBC. Within one month, Hunter would make another jump to now have spanned all three major networks upon joining the cast of CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful in 1990. Beginning her lengthy run on The Bold and the Beautiful in 1990 as Dr. Taylor Hamilton Hayes Forrester, Tylo was an instant hit with fans. She is recognized by over 96 countries worldwide.

Not one to sit idle, Tylo could be seen on shows like Zorro, Burke's Law (two different roles in the same season) , Diagnosis Murder, The Nanny, Baywatch, and most recently She Spies. She was also cast as the lead in the hit international miniseries, The Maharaja's Daughter, in 1994, then in a made for TV movie Longshot with Paul Sorvino.

In 1996, Tylo broadened her professional horizons by leaving The Bold and the Beautiful and joining the cast of Melrose Place. But prior to shooting, she was fired for being pregnant. Taking the show's producers to court for wrongful termination, her case resulted in a judgment of nearly $5 million, in her favor. The case has been sited as a landmark case for all working mothers. After the case was ended, Hunter completely funded and began what she calls her "Fifth Baby", her charity foundation Hunter's Chosen Child. The organization serves to aid mothers and/or fathers with financial difficulties that can arise with a newborn. Primarily reaching to help mothers being discriminated against in the workplace, or unwed teens, Hunter came up with the unique idea of granting scholarships for daycare to help mothers get back to school or the workplace.

While her professional life has had it's many ups, her personal life has had its share of downs. Her daughter Katya Ariel was diagnosed with a deadly form of eye cancer called Retinoblastoma, mere weeks after she was born in January 1998. Although her daughter is now cancer-free after successfully undergoing chemotherapy, the tragic experience motivated the actress and her husband to establish Retinoblastoma International. Hunter also helped enact the AB2185 bill in California, ensuring that babies get their eyes checked as part of the routine six-week health exam. The passing of the legislation, Hunter considers her crowning achievement, and plans to continue to raise awareness of early pupil dilation in infants throughout the world.
Ever the entrepreneur, Hunter has also created her own cosmetics line, Chosen By Hunter Tylo. There is buzz that there is a storefront she will open on The Strip in Las Vegas and will also launched an exclusive line of products with QVC. The fitness/martial arts enthusiast also endorses the Ab Swing, which has become the single most successful DRTV fitness equipment to date. Not a stranger to being a spokeswoman, Tylo has also appeared in over 50 national and international commercials for companies such as Canada Dry, Ban, Nissan, Lux, Naturalizer, Cover Girl, and Pantene.

In 2001, Hunter finally signed off of The Bold and the Beautiful, but the departure was only for six weeks. Discussions with head writers convinced her to sign on for another year. In October 2002, she officially departed from the show with her character permanently killed off.

Hunter wrapped shooting on the sci-fi feature film, "They Are Among Us", the Hallmark Original, "Till The River Runs Dry" with Ann Margret. Having also completed a film with Lauren Holly "Down and Derby' and another sci-fi feature film "Hammerhead:Shark Frenzy", it appears Hunter has definitely made a mark.

In April of 2005 Hunter returned to The Bold and the Beautiful, in a plot twist that had Taylor actually kidnapped and her death staged - as they say her death was greatly exaggerated.

Filmography

Trivia

  • Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1998]
  •  Has a daughter in the early part of 1998, which will be named Katya Ariel. [1998]
  •  Hunter was fired from "Melrose Place" for being pregnant. She had daughter Izabella Gabrielle in November of that year. She sued Aaron Spelling for wrongful dismissal and pregnancy discrimination, winning $4.89 million dollars. (1997) Spelling appealed the suit. [1996]
  •  Broke her collarbone while filming the movie "Maharaja's Daughter."
  •  Has a son Chris from a former marriage and son Mickey Tylo
  •  Has a older sister Elizabeth
  •  Has a younger brother Cliff
  •  About 45% Cherokee Indian (Mother's side)
  •  Daughter, Izabella Gabrielle, born. [11/12/1996]
  •  Hunter loves reptiles, she adores snakes and owns a boa constrictor named BJ. She has a collection of exotic and unusual pets.
  •  Has an older brother named Jay.
  •  Legally changed her name to Hunter Tylo when she wed Michael Tylo.
  •  Born at 7:47am-CST
  •  Was born on the same day as actor Tom Cruise, July 3, 1962.
  •  Daughter Katya Ariel was born on January 15th, 1998.
  •  Katya was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, which implied an eye removal and chemotherapy for the remaining eye.
  •  She grew up in Springtown, Texas.
  •  She has launched her own cosmetics line.
  •  She has written her auto-biography, "Making a Miracle".
  •  She is an accomplished equestrian bareback rider.
  •  She is on the board of Retinoblastoma International and started her own charity "Hunter's Chosen Child".