London Ontario

“Canada’s Country Gentleman” – TOMMY HUNTER HAS PASSED AWAY

One of the most beloved icons in the history of Canadian Television has passed away. Born March 20, 1937 in London Ontario, Thomas James Hunter, known worldwide as the host of “The Tommy Hunter Show”, died July 2nd, 2026 at the age of 89 of natural causes.

His career in country music television began in 1956 when he became a cast member of CBC’s “Country Hoedown”. In 1965 Tommy was given his own show and for the next 27 years fans welcomed him into their living rooms each week like a trusted family friend. For many of those years “The Nashville Network” aired the Tommy Hunter Show throughout the United States, at times reaching as many as 75 million homes.

Tommy was always proud of the fact that the television show which bore his name featured quality wholesome family entertainment. He was also one of the first entertainers to work at bringing country music into the mainstream. Tommy insisted his set would contain no barns, no hay bales and no corn stalks. He believed that Country Music deserved better. The guests on Tommy’s show represented the full range of country music featuring traditional artists like Hank Snow, Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells and Johnny Cash on the same stage as Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Carroll Baker and Reba McEntire while giving a platform to upcoming stars like Rita MacNeil, Michelle Wright and Shania Twain.

The television show ended in 1992, giving Tommy the opportunity to perform live concerts from coast to coast until hanging up his guitar for the last time on his 75th Birthday in 2012. It was not unusual to have four generations from the same family come out to see in person the man they had watched as a family for so many years.

As well as receiving three Juno awards and one Gemini award, Tommy was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and was a proud member of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada. Canada Post recognized Tommy’s significance by honouring him with his own postage stamp.

Tommy is survived by his 3 children, 4 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral arrangements and a public memorial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the London Humaine society or any animal rescue organization would be appreciated by the family.

For further information contact: Brian Edwards, Business Manager – The Tommy Hunter Show
bwe6262@gmail.com 705-743-7354
www.tommyhunter.com