Thomas O'D. Hunter

In addition to “Softly Walks the Beast,” Thomas Hunter has written two screenplays that were made into major motion pictures: “The Human Factor,” starring George Kennedy, about terrorism against Americans abroad; and “The Final Countdown,” starring Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen, about a giant aircraft carrier that travels back in time. Time Magazine praised that film: "‘The Final Countdown’ is as impressive a statement about the value and values of professional fighting men as one could hope to find these days. This realism also lends credibility to the fantastic tale unfolding aboard the mighty ship. ... ‘The Final Countdown’ is ... adult, intelligent and entertaining."

Hunter also had a career as a film actor, starring in a dozen movies while based in Rome, Italy, where he got his start with Dino de Laurentiis in a series of spaghetti westerns. Hunter has recently completed an uproarious account of those adventure-filled years; "Memoirs of a Spaghetti Cowboy: Tales of Oddball Luck and Derring-Do," to be published soon.

Hunter was born in Savannah, Georgia, and has lived and worked in New York City, Hollywood and Rome. While living abroad, he founded an off-Broadway-style English language theater, leading several seasons of experimental works to critical acclaim as director, writer and actor. After returning to the States, he founded and served as artistic director of the New England Repertory Company. Hunter currently lives in New England, where he is completing a collection of short stories.