Hunter Tylo

Biography

Hunter Tylo considers one her best achievements the forming and passing of California State Bill AB2185. She and her husband Michael worked together on the bill as a team for over a year. The bill, signed into law September 2000, provides all infants in the state of California with pupil dilation for detection of preventable forms of blindness and fatal diseases.

Hunter and her husband are no strangers to the threat of pediatric eye disease. After the birth of their fourth child, little Katya was diagnosed with a deadly eye cancer, retinoblastoma. The cancer went undetected until Katya was three months old, as there was no protocol for eye screenings of infants, and she lost her right eye three days after diagnosis. Her left eye, also affected with six tumors, was saved through laser and chemotherapy. Katya is well today and turned three in January.

Hunter fought a similar battle the year before. She won her landmark case for pregnancy discrimination. Shortly thereafter, the trial served as the basis for the mission of her non-profit corporation, Hunter's Chosen Child. Since starting the organization, Hunter's prestigious board of directors has granted many scholarships including one to a young girl living in her parent's garage, trying to be independent with her newborn and go to college. She is most excited that they are unique in the non-profit world focusing on scholarships for day care so that teen mothers can remain in school and work. Hunter wanted no one left out and includes single fathers also. Recently, she extended day care help to a father with two autistic babies who had been abandoned by his wife. Hunter's Chosen Child also incorporates a more expansive mission. Funds to repair a damaged day care center and to a home for unwed mothers have also been allocated. Also supported are the programs of the Los Angeles Archdiocese for its Catholic Charities programs in psychological counseling for teen parents. Operation Blessing, an organization that clothes and feeds school aged children in this country, has also been a beneficiary.

In 2000, this multi-talented actress published her autobiography, "Making a Miracle," which rose to No. 35 on the New York Times Best-Seller List.

Hunter remains a tireless fundraiser for many causes, including Smiles for Life, Garth Brooks' Touch 'Em All Foundation, CareNet, Childhood Cancer Awareness and many other foundations and groups that help children in need.

With over 350 million viewers worldwide, and in over 100 countries, Hunter has portrayed Dr. Taylor Forrester on "The Bold and the Beautiful." She describes Taylor as "the psychiatrist who can't take her own medicine." She has been a fan favorite on the show for 11 years and won many awards and nominations for her work.