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{{short description|American actor (1901–1986)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{For|the former child actor|Harvey Spencer Stephens}}
{{For|the former child actor|Harvey Spencer Stephens}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Harvey Stephens
| name = Harvey Stephens
| image = Harvey Stephens in Swing High Swing Low.jpg
| image = Harvey Stephens in Swing High, Swing Low (1937).jpg
| imagesize =
| image_size =
| caption = Stephens in ''[[Swing High, Swing Low (film)|Swing High, Swing Low]]'' (1937)
| caption = Stephens in ''[[Swing High, Swing Low (film)|Swing High, Swing Low]]'' (1937)
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1901|8|21}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1901|08|21|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1986|12|22|1901|8|21}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1986|12|22|1901|08|21|mf=yes}}
| death_place = [[Laguna Hills, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Laguna Hills, California]], U.S.
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1931–1965
| years_active = 1931–1965
| spouse = Barbara Adams (1946-1986) (his death) (2 children)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/26/obituaries/harvey-stephens-85-dies-acted-on-stage-and-in-films.html|title=Harvey Stephens, 85, Dies; Acted on Stage and in Films|first=|last=Ap|date=26 December 1986|publisher=|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><br>Beatrice Nichols (1929-1944) (divorced)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/29/archives/mrs-bn-stephens.html|title=Mrs. B. N. Stephens|date=29 October 1970|publisher=|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
| spouse = {{marriage|Beatrice Nichols|1929|1944|reason=divorced}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/29/archives/mrs-bn-stephens.html|title=Mrs. B. N. Stephens|date=29 October 1970|publisher=|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><br />{{marriage|Barbara Adams<br>|1946}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/26/obituaries/harvey-stephens-85-dies-acted-on-stage-and-in-films.html|title=Harvey Stephens, 85, Dies; Acted on Stage and in Films|last=Ap|date=26 December 1986|publisher=|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>
| children = 2
}}
}}


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== Early years ==
== Early years ==
Before he turned to acting, Stephens worked in western copper mines and Mexican oil fields in addition to working around the world on a freighter.<ref name="bg" />
Stephens was born in Los Angeles. As a student at the University of California at Los Angeles, he earned letters in basketball and football.<ref name="tu" /> Before he turned to acting, Stephens worked in western copper mines and Mexican oil fields in addition to working around the world on a freighter.<ref name="bg" />


== Broadway ==
== Stage ==

⚫
At the Times Square Theatre, Stephens appeared as Sam Worthing in [[Other Men's Wives|''Other Men's Wives'']], written by [[Walter C. Hackett]], late in 1929. He also appeared as Richard Wadsworth in [[Dishonored Lady|''Dishonored Lady'']] (1930), as Gail Redman in ''[[Tomorrow and Tomorrow (play)|Tomorrow and Tomorrow]]'' (1931),<ref name="dtb">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uHw0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=FMoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3273,2605867&dq=harvey-stephens&hl=en|title=Character Actor Harvey Stephens|date=Dec 26, 1986|work=Daytona Beach News-Journal|accessdate=8 April 2012}}</ref> as Joe Fisk in ''[[The Animal Kingdom]]'' (1932),<ref name="dtb"/> Fred Barton in ''[[Best Years]]'' (1932), Bruce Blakely in ''[[The Party's Over (play)|The Party's Over]]'' (1933), and John Palmer in ''[[Conquest (play)|Conquest]]'' (1933). He also appeared in ''[[South Pacific (musical)|South Pacific]]'' as Commander Harbison, alongside [[Mary Martin]]; he was one of only two cast members who did not sing.<ref name="dtb"/>
[[File:Cornell-Dishonored-Lady-1930.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Stephens (right) opposite [[Katharine Cornell]] in the 1930 Broadway production of ''Dishonored Lady'']]
Stephens' debut in the theater came in 1920 at the Pilgrimage Play in [[Hemet, California]]. Following that, he toured for two years in a troupe headed by [[Walter Hampden]] and worked in stock theater companies in several cities.<ref name="tu" />

⚫
On Broadway, Stephens appeared as Sam Worthing in ''[[Other Men's Wives (play)|Other Men's Wives]]'', written by [[Walter C. Hackett]], late in 1929. He also appeared as Richard Wadsworth in ''Dishonored Lady'' (1930); as Gail Redman in ''[[Tomorrow and Tomorrow (play)|Tomorrow and Tomorrow]]'' (1931);<ref name="dtb">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uHw0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=FMoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3273,2605867&dq=harvey-stephens&hl=en|title=Character Actor Harvey Stephens|date=Dec 26, 1986|work=Daytona Beach News-Journal|access-date=8 April 2012}}</ref> as Joe Fisk in ''[[The Animal Kingdom (1932 film)|The Animal Kingdom]]'' (1932);<ref name="dtb" /> Fred Barton in ''[[Best Years]]'' (1932); Bruce Blakely in ''[[The Party's Over (play)|The Party's Over]]'' (1933); and John Palmer in ''[[Conquest (play)|Conquest]]'' (1933). He also appeared in ''[[South Pacific (musical)|South Pacific]]'' as Commander Harbison, alongside [[Mary Martin]]; he was one of only two cast members who did not sing.<ref name="dtb" />

For the summer of 1931, Stephens was a member of the [[Summer stock theater|Summer stock]] cast at [[Elitch Theatre]].<ref>Levy, Edwin Lewis, "Elitch's Gardens, Denver, Colorado: A History of the Oldest Summer Theatre in the United States (1890-1941)" [Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University, 1960]</ref>


== Film ==
== Film ==
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== Television ==
== Television ==
Stephens appeared on a number of television shows beginning in the early 1950s and continuing through the late 1960s, including ''[[The Aquanauts]]'', ''[[Ripcord (TV series)|Ripcord]]'', ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'', ''[[Ben Casey]]'' and ''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]'', as well as multiple episodes of ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'', ''[[Wagon Train]]'', ''[[Perry Mason (TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', and ''[[Bonanza]]''.
Stephens appeared on a number of television shows beginning in the early 1950s and continuing through the late 1960s, including ''[[The Aquanauts]]'', ''[[Ripcord (TV series)|Ripcord]]'', ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'', ''[[Ben Casey]]'' and ''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]'', as well as multiple episodes of ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'', ''[[Wagon Train]]'', ''[[Bat Masterson (TV series)|Bat Masterson]]'', ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', and ''[[Bonanza]]''.


== Activities outside of acting ==
== Activities outside of acting ==
Beginning in the late 1930s, Stephens was one of the earliest major proponents of [[Glider (sailplane)|glider]]s,<ref name="soaring">{{cite journal|first=Fred C. |last=Barnes|date=April 1937|title=Seven Hours in a Two-Seater |journal=Soaring|volume=1|issue=4|page=9|url=http://soaringweb.org/Soaring_Index/1937/PDF/1937_Apr_05.html}}</ref> and pursued an interest in the sport throughout his life.<ref name="lat1">{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-25/local/me-336_1_harvey-stephens|title=Harvey Stephens, 85; Character Actor on Stage and in Films|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=8 April 2012|date=25 December 1986}}</ref> In 1937, [[Harland Ross]] custom built a glider for Stephens, which became the [[Ross RS-1 Zanonia]] (The "RS" designation stands for "Ross-Stephens"). He organized a number of competitions and was still participating after his retirement from acting into the 1960s.
Beginning in the late 1930s, Stephens was one of the earliest major proponents of [[Glider (sailplane)|glider]]s,<ref name="soaring">{{cite journal|first=Fred C. |last=Barnes|date=April 1937|title=Seven Hours in a Two-Seater |journal=Soaring|volume=1|issue=4|page=9|url=http://soaringweb.org/Soaring_Index/1937/PDF/1937_Apr_05.html}}</ref> and pursued an interest in the sport throughout his life.<ref name="lat1">{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-25/local/me-336_1_harvey-stephens|title=Harvey Stephens, 85; Character Actor on Stage and in Films|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=8 April 2012|date=25 December 1986}}</ref> In 1937, [[Harland Ross]] custom built a glider for Stephens, which became the [[Ross RS-1 Zanonia]] (The "RS" designation stands for "Ross-Stephens"). He organized a number of competitions and was still participating after his retirement from acting into the 1960s.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
On January 20, 1946, Stephens married Barbara Adams, a stage director.<ref name="bg">{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Marjory |title=Harvey Stephens Says Minots Light Ideal for Honeymoon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38858653/harvey_stephens/ |accessdate=November 12, 2019 |work=The Boston Globe |location=Massachusetts, Boston |page=30 A|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He had previously been married to stage actress Beatrice Nichols.<ref name="tu">{{cite news |title=Quits Mining for Movies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38859577/harvey_stephens/ |accessdate=November 12, 2019 |work=Times Union |date=May 27, 1935 |location=New York, Brooklyn |page=17|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
On January 20, 1946, Stephens married Barbara Adams, a stage director.<ref name="bg">{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Marjory |title=Harvey Stephens Says Minots Light Ideal for Honeymoon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38858653/harvey_stephens/ |access-date=November 12, 2019 |work=The Boston Globe |location=Massachusetts, Boston |page=30 A|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He had previously been married to stage actress Beatrice Nichols.<ref name="tu">{{cite news |title=Quits Mining for Movies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38859577/harvey_stephens/ |access-date=November 12, 2019 |work=Times Union |date=May 27, 1935 |location=New York, Brooklyn |page=17|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>


==Partial filmography==
==Partial filmography==
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
* ''[[The Cheat (1931 film)|The Cheat]]'' (1931) - Jeffrey Carlyle
* ''[[The Cheat (1931 film)|The Cheat]]'' (1931) – Jeffrey Carlyle
* ''[[Paddy the Next Best Thing (1933 film)|Paddy the Next Best Thing]]'' (1933) - Jack Breen
* ''[[Paddy the Next Best Thing (1933 film)|Paddy the Next Best Thing]]'' (1933) – Jack Breen
* ''[[Jimmy and Sally]]'' (1933) - Ralph Andrews
* ''[[Jimmy and Sally]]'' (1933) – Ralph Andrews
* ''[[The Worst Woman in Paris?]]'' (1933) - John Strong
* ''[[The Worst Woman in Paris?]]'' (1933) – John Strong
* ''[[Sleepers East]]'' (1934) - Martin Knox (uncredited)
* ''[[Sleepers East]]'' (1934) – Martin Knox (uncredited)
* ''[[Evelyn Prentice]]'' (1934) - Lawrence Kennard
* ''[[Evelyn Prentice]]'' (1934) – Lawrence Kennard
* ''[[After Office Hours]]'' (1935) - Tommy Bannister
* ''[[After Office Hours]]'' (1935) – Tommy Bannister
* ''[[One New York Night]]'' (1935) - Collis
* ''[[One New York Night]]'' (1935) – Collis
* ''[[Baby Face Harrington]]'' (1935) - Ronald
* ''[[Baby Face Harrington]]'' (1935) – Ronald
* ''[[Let 'Em Have It]]'' (1935) - Van Rensseler
* ''[[Let 'Em Have It]]'' (1935) – Van Rensseler
* ''[[The Murder Man]]'' (1935) - Henry Mander
* ''[[The Murder Man]]'' (1935) – Henry Mander
* ''[[Orchids to You]]'' (1935) - George Draper
* ''[[Orchids to You]]'' (1935) – George Draper
* ''[[It's in the Air (1935 film)|It's in the Air]]'' (1935) - Sidney Kendall
* ''[[It's in the Air (1935 film)|It's in the Air]]'' (1935) – Sidney Kendall
* ''[[Whipsaw (film)|Whipsaw]]'' (1935) - Ed Dexter
* ''[[Whipsaw (film)|Whipsaw]]'' (1935) – Ed Dexter
* ''[[Tough Guy (film)|Tough Guy]]'' (1936) - Chief Davison
* ''[[Tough Guy (film)|Tough Guy]]'' (1936) – Chief Davison
* ''[[Robin Hood of El Dorado (film)|Robin Hood of El Dorado]]'' (1936) - Capt. Osborne
* ''[[Robin Hood of El Dorado (film)|Robin Hood of El Dorado]]'' (1936) – Captain Osborne
* ''[[Absolute Quiet]]'' (1936) - Barney Tait
* ''[[Absolute Quiet]]'' (1936) – Barney Tait
* ''[[The Three Wise Guys]]'' (1936) - Ambersham
* ''[[The Three Wise Guys]]'' (1936) – Ambersham
* ''[[Sworn Enemy]]'' (1936) - District Attorney Paul Scott
* ''[[Sworn Enemy]]'' (1936) – District Attorney Paul Scott
* ''[[All American Chump]]'' (1936) - Jim Crawford
* ''[[All American Chump]]'' (1936) – Jim Crawford
* ''[[Maid of Salem]]'' (1937) - Dr. John Harding
* ''[[Maid of Salem]]'' (1937) – Dr. John Harding
* ''[[Murder Goes to College]]'' (1937) - Paul Broderick
* ''[[Murder Goes to College]]'' (1937) – Paul Broderick
* ''[[Swing High, Swing Low (film)|Swing High, Swing Low]]'' (1937) - Harvey Howell
* ''[[Swing High, Swing Low (film)|Swing High, Swing Low]]'' (1937) – Harvey Howell
* ''[[King of Gamblers]]'' (1937) - J.G. Temple
* ''[[King of Gamblers]]'' (1937) – J.G. Temple
* ''[[Night of Mystery]]'' (1937) - Dr. Von Blon
* ''[[Night of Mystery (1937 film)|Night of Mystery]]'' (1937) – Dr. Von Blon
* ''[[Forlorn River (1937 film)|Forlorn River]]'' (1937) - Les Setter
* ''[[Forlorn River (1937 film)|Forlorn River]]'' (1937) – Les Setter
* ''[[Night Club Scandal]]'' (1937) - Frank Marsh
* ''[[Night Club Scandal]]'' (1937) – Frank Marsh
* ''[[Dangerous to Know]]'' (1938) - Philip Easton
* ''[[Dangerous to Know]]'' (1938) – Philip Easton
* ''[[Tip-Off Girls]]'' (1938) - Chief Agent Jason Baardue
* ''[[Tip-Off Girls]]'' (1938) – Chief Agent Jason Baardue
* ''[[The Texans]]'' (1938) - Lt. David Nichols
* ''[[The Texans]]'' (1938) – Lieutenant David Nichols
* ''[[The Oklahoma Kid]]'' (1939) - Ned Kincaid
* ''[[The Oklahoma Kid]]'' (1939) – Ned Kincaid
* ''[[The House of Fear (1939 film)|The House of Fear]]'' (1939)
* ''[[The House of Fear (1939 film)|The House of Fear]]'' (1939) - Richard 'Dick' Pierce
* ''[[You Can't Get Away with Murder]]'' (1939) - Fred Burke
* ''[[You Can't Get Away with Murder]]'' (1939) – Fred Burke
* ''[[Grand Jury Secrets]]'' (1939) - Michael Keefe
* ''[[Grand Jury Secrets]]'' (1939) – Michael Keefe
* ''[[Sherlock Holmes and the House of Fear]]'' (1939) - Richard 'Dick' Pierce
* ''[[Beau Geste (1939 film)|Beau Geste]]'' (1939) – Lieutenant Martin
* ''[[Beau Geste (1939 film)|Beau Geste]]'' (1939) - Lieutenant Martin
* ''[[Abe Lincoln in Illinois (film)|Abe Lincoln in Illinois]]'' (1940) – Ninian Edwards
* ''[[Abe Lincoln in Illinois (film)|Abe Lincoln in Illinois]]'' (1940) - Ninian Edwards
* ''[[The Fighting 69th]]'' (1940) – Major Anderson
* ''[[The Fighting 69th]]'' (1940) - Major Anderson
* ''[[Parole Fixer]]'' (1940) – Bartley Hanford
* ''[[Parole Fixer]]'' (1940) - Bartley Hanford
* ''[[Stagecoach War]]'' (1940) – Neal Holt
* ''[[Stagecoach War]]'' (1940) - Neal Holt
* ''[[When the Daltons Rode]]'' (1940) – Rigby
* ''[[When the Daltons Rode]]'' (1940) - Rigby
* ''[[The Texas Rangers Ride Again]]'' (1940) – Ranger Blair
* ''[[The Texas Rangers Ride Again]]'' (1940) - Ranger Blair
* ''[[Sergeant York (film)|Sergeant York]]'' (1941) – Captain Danforth
* ''[[Sergeant York (film)|Sergeant York]]'' (1941) - Captain Danforth
* ''[[Our Wife (1941 film)|Our Wife]]'' (1941) – Dr. Cassell
* ''[[Our Wife (1941 film)|Our Wife]]'' (1941) - Dr. Cassell
* ''[[Joe Smith, American]]'' (1942) – Freddie Dunhill
* ''[[Joe Smith, American]]'' (1942) - Freddie Dunhill
* ''[[The Lady Is Willing (1942 film)|The Lady Is Willing]]'' (1942) – Dr. Golding
* ''[[The Lady Is Willing (1942 film)|The Lady Is Willing]]'' (1942) - Dr. Golding
* ''[[The Courtship of Andy Hardy]]'' (1942) – Roderick O. Nesbit
* ''[[The Courtship of Andy Hardy]]'' (1942) - Roderick O. Nesbit
* ''[[Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die]]'' (1942) – Morgan Earp
* ''[[Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die]]'' (1942) - Morgan Earp
* ''[[George Washington Slept Here]]'' (1942) – Jeff Douglas
* ''[[George Washington Slept Here]]'' (1942) - Jeff Douglas
* ''[[Lady in the Dark (film)|Lady in the Dark]]'' (1944) – Liza's Father
* ''[[Lady in the Dark (film)|Lady in the Dark]]'' (1944) - Liza's Father
* ''[[The Story of Dr. Wassell]]'' (1944) – Captain in Charge of Evacuation (uncredited)
* ''[[Three Young Texans]]'' (1954) – Jim Colt
* ''[[The Story of Dr. Wassell]]'' (1944) - Captain in Charge of Evacuation (uncredited)
* ''[[Three Young Texans]]'' (1954) - Jim Colt
* ''[[Cell 2455, Death Row (film)|Cell 2455, Death Row]]'' (1955) – Prison Warden
* ''[[Cell 2455, Death Row (film)|Cell 2455, Death Row]]'' (1955) - Prison Warden
* ''[[The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing]]'' (1955) – Dr. Hollingshead DDS
* ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' (1956) (Season 2 Episode 7: "Alibi Me") - Lieutenant James Larkin
* ''[[The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing]]'' (1955) - Dr. Hollingshead DDS
* ''[[Oregon Passage]]'' (1957) - Capt. Boyson
* ''[[Oregon Passage]]'' (1957) – Captain Boyson
*Wagon Train (1958) S1 E39 "The Sacramento Story" - Maxwell Revere
* ''The World Was His Jury'' (1958) - Judge Arthur Farrell
* ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' (1958) (Season 3 Episode 25: "Flight to the East") - European Bureau Manager
⚫
* ''[[Official Detective]]'' "Tinseled Alibi" - Houston - (1958)
* ''[[The Young Lions (film)|The Young Lions]]'' (1958) - Brig. Gen. Sam Rockland (uncredited)
* ''The World Was His Jury'' (1958) – Judge Arthur Farrell
⚫
* ''[[Official Detective]]'' "Tinseled Alibi" – Houston – (1958)
* ''[[In Love and War (1958 film)|In Love and War]]'' (1958) - Amory Newcombe
* ''[[North by Northwest]]'' (1959) - US Intelligence Agency official (uncredited)
* ''[[The Young Lions (film)|The Young Lions]]'' (1958) – Brigadier General Sam Rockland (uncredited)
* ''[[The Bat (1959 film)|The Bat]]'' (1959) - John Fleming
* ''[[In Love and War (1958 film)|In Love and War]]'' (1958) – Amory Newcombe
* ''[[North by Northwest]]'' (1959) – US Intelligence Agency official (uncredited)
* ''[[The Flight That Disappeared]]'' (1961) - Walter Cooper
* ''[[Diary of a Madman (film)|Diary of a Madman]]'' (1963) - Louis Girot
* ''[[The Bat (1959 film)|The Bat]]'' (1959) – John Fleming
* ''[[Advance to the Rear]]'' (1964) - Gen. Dunlop (uncredited)
* ''[[The Flight That Disappeared]]'' (1961) – Walter Cooper
* ''[[Joy in the Morning (film)|Joy in the Morning]]'' (1965) - Dr. Marson
* ''[[Diary of a Madman (film)|Diary of a Madman]]'' (1963) – Louis Girot
* ''[[Advance to the Rear]]'' (1964) – General Dunlop (uncredited)
* ''[[Joy in the Morning (film)|Joy in the Morning]]'' (1965) – Dr. Marson
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Commons and category|Harvey Stephens}}
* {{imdb name|0827031}}
* {{imdb name|0827031}}
* {{IBDB name|60984}}
* {{IBDB name|60984}}
* {{Find a Grave|83213142}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Harvey}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Harvey}}
⚫
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:1901 births]]
[[Category:1901 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male stage actors]]
[[Category:American male stage actors]]
[[Category:Broadway theatre people]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American glider pilots]]
⚫
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]

Latest revision as of 00:19, 25 March 2024

For the former child actor, see Harvey Spencer Stephens.
Harvey Stephens
Stephens in Swing High, Swing Low (1937)
Born(1901-08-21)August 21, 1901
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 1986(1986-12-22) (aged 85)
Laguna Hills, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1931–1965
Spouse(s)
Beatrice Nichols
​
​
(m. 1929; div. 1944)​
[1]
Barbara Adams
​
​
(m. 1946)​
[2]
Children2

Harvey Stephens (August 21, 1901 – December 22, 1986)[3] was an American actor, known initially for his performances in Broadway productions, and thereafter for his work in film and on television. He was most active in film beginning in the 1930s and through the mid-1940s. Beginning in the mid-1950s, he transitioned to television and enjoyed success there through the 1960s.

Stephens was also an avid competitive glider pilot. He was inducted into the Soaring Hall of Fame in 1966 for his contributions to the sport.

Early years[edit]

Stephens was born in Los Angeles. As a student at the University of California at Los Angeles, he earned letters in basketball and football.[4] Before he turned to acting, Stephens worked in western copper mines and Mexican oil fields in addition to working around the world on a freighter.[5]

Stage[edit]

Stephens (right) opposite Katharine Cornell in the 1930 Broadway production of Dishonored Lady

Stephens' debut in the theater came in 1920 at the Pilgrimage Play in Hemet, California. Following that, he toured for two years in a troupe headed by Walter Hampden and worked in stock theater companies in several cities.[4]

On Broadway, Stephens appeared as Sam Worthing in Other Men's Wives, written by Walter C. Hackett, late in 1929. He also appeared as Richard Wadsworth in Dishonored Lady (1930); as Gail Redman in Tomorrow and Tomorrow (1931);[6] as Joe Fisk in The Animal Kingdom (1932);[6] Fred Barton in Best Years (1932); Bruce Blakely in The Party's Over (1933); and John Palmer in Conquest (1933). He also appeared in South Pacific as Commander Harbison, alongside Mary Martin; he was one of only two cast members who did not sing.[6]

For the summer of 1931, Stephens was a member of the Summer stock cast at Elitch Theatre.[7]

Film[edit]

Stephens made his leading debut opposite Tallulah Bankhead in The Cheat (1931). After appearing in The Texans (1938) and The Oklahoma Kid (1939), he began appearing in many Western films, although he also appeared with Gary Cooper, Joan Leslie, and Walter Brennan in Sergeant York (1941).

Television[edit]

Stephens appeared on a number of television shows beginning in the early 1950s and continuing through the late 1960s, including The Aquanauts, Ripcord, 77 Sunset Strip, Ben Casey and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, as well as multiple episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Wagon Train, Bat Masterson, Perry Mason, and Bonanza.

Activities outside of acting[edit]

Beginning in the late 1930s, Stephens was one of the earliest major proponents of gliders,[8] and pursued an interest in the sport throughout his life.[9] In 1937, Harland Ross custom built a glider for Stephens, which became the Ross RS-1 Zanonia (The "RS" designation stands for "Ross-Stephens"). He organized a number of competitions and was still participating after his retirement from acting into the 1960s.

Personal life[edit]

On January 20, 1946, Stephens married Barbara Adams, a stage director.[5] He had previously been married to stage actress Beatrice Nichols.[4]

Partial filmography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mrs. B. N. Stephens". October 29, 1970 – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ Ap (December 26, 1986). "Harvey Stephens, 85, Dies; Acted on Stage and in Films" – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ^ "Harvey Stephens, 85, Actor in Theater, Films". Newsday. December 26, 1986.
  4. ^ a b c "Quits Mining for Movies". Times Union. New York, Brooklyn. May 27, 1935. p. 17. Retrieved November 12, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Adams, Marjory. "Harvey Stephens Says Minots Light Ideal for Honeymoon". The Boston Globe. Massachusetts, Boston. p. 30 A. Retrieved November 12, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c "Character Actor Harvey Stephens". Daytona Beach News-Journal. December 26, 1986. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  7. ^ Levy, Edwin Lewis, "Elitch's Gardens, Denver, Colorado: A History of the Oldest Summer Theatre in the United States (1890-1941)" [Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University, 1960]
  8. ^ Barnes, Fred C. (April 1937). "Seven Hours in a Two-Seater". Soaring. 1 (4): 9.
  9. ^ "Harvey Stephens, 85; Character Actor on Stage and in Films". Los Angeles Times. December 25, 1986. Retrieved April 8, 2012.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Harvey Stephens (category)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harvey_Stephens&oldid=1215413890"