Steve Reeves | |
|---|---|
 Reeves in 1990 | |
| Born | Stephen Lester Reeves January 21, 1926 Glasgow, Montana, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 2000 (aged 74) Escondido, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1949–1968 |
| Spouses | Aline Czartjarwicz
(m. 1963; died 1989)Deborah Ann Engelhorn
(m. 1994) |
Stephen Lester Reeves (January 21, 1926 – May 1, 2000) was an American professional bodybuilder and actor. He was famous in the mid-1950s as a movie star in Italian-made sword-and-sandal films, playing the protagonist as muscular characters such as Hercules, Goliath, and Sandokan. At the peak of his career, he was the highest-paid actor in Europe.[1] Though best known for his portrayal of Hercules, he played the character only twice: in Hercules (1958), and in its 1959 sequel Hercules Unchained. By 1960, Reeves was ranked as the number-one box-office draw in 25 countries.[2]
Prior to his acting career, Reeves was a bodybuilder. Known for his symmetry,[3] he reigned as Mr. America of 1947, Mr. World of 1948, and Mr. Universe of 1950 in the pre Mr. Olympia era.
- ^ Lane, John Francis (June 5, 2000). "Steve Reeves: Putting muscle and myth in the movies". Retrieved July 15, 2009.
- ^ Rutledge, Leigh W. (1989). The Gay Fireside Companion. Alyson Publications, Inc. p. 146. ISBN 978-1555831646.
- ^ "Steve Reeves".