Canadian country music icon Tommy Hunter has died at the age of 89.
He passed away on July 2, 2026, due to natural causes, according to his entertainment promoter and business manager, Brian Edwards.
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Hunter was affectionately known as "Canada's Country Gentleman." His professional entertainment career began in the 1950s and continued until his retirement in the early 2010s.
Born on March 20, 1937, in London, Ontario, Hunter started playing guitar at age nine. He soon performed at local churches and appeared on radio.
In 1956, he became a featured cast member on the CBC program Country Hoedown. This led to his most notable television achievement: hosting The Tommy Hunter Show.
The music variety series transitioned from radio to television. It aired from 1965 until 1992, spanning 27 years.
The show introduced Canadian audiences to international country stars.
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These included Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Anne Murray, and a young Shania Twain (then known as Eileen).
Hunter received a Gemini Award for best variety series. He also won three Juno Awards throughout his career.
He was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984. In 1986, he was appointed to the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada.
Hunter continued touring and performing until his 75th birthday in 2012. That year, he completed his final cross-Canada performance tour.
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He is survived by his three children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
