''I Know My First Name Is Steven'' is a 1989 American television

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

about kidnapping victim

Steven Stayner Steven Gregory Stayner (April 18, 1965September 16, 1989) was an American kidnapping victim and the younger brother of serial killer Cary Stayner. On December 4, 1972, seven-year-old Stayner was abducted in Merced, California, by child molester K ...

. The two-part miniseries was first broadcast by

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

on May 22 and 23, 1989. Screening rights were sold to a number of international television companies including the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

, which screened the miniseries in mid-July of the following year; later still, it was released as a feature-length movie. It was nominated as Best Miniseries or Television Film at the

47th Golden Globe Awards The 47th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television for 1989, were held on January 20, 1990 at the The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hilton. The nominations were announced on December 27, 1989. Winners and nominees F ...

and received four Emmy Award nominations.

Plot

Steven Stayner, a seven-year-old boy, is kidnapped by Kenneth Parnell, with the help of his partner in crime, Irving Murphy. Parnell continues to molest and produce pornographic images of Steven for seven years. When Steven is 14, Parnell kidnaps a boy named Timmy. As a result, Steven builds up the courage to prevent Timmy from going through the same thing that he went through when he was Timmy's age. He brings Timmy to the police and confesses that he was the victim of a kidnapping by his "dad", Parnell. Steven later testifies in court on Timmy's behalf, and then later, in a hearing for the crimes Parnell committed against Steven. Parnell spends five years of a seven-year sentence in prison for the kidnapping and sexual abuse against Steven, while his accomplice Murphy spends less than two years in prison.

Cast

Main

Cindy Pickett Cindy Pickett (born April 18, 1947) is an American actress. She is known for her 1970s role as Jackie Marler-Spaulding on the CBS soap ''Guiding Light'' and Dr. Carol Novino on the television drama ''St. Elsewhere'' in the 1980s. Pickett, however, ...

as Kay Stayner *

John Ashton John Ashton may refer to: Entertainment * John Ashton (composer) (1830–1896), Welsh musician * Will Ashton (John William Ashton, 1881–1963), British-Australian artist and art director * John Rowland Ashton (1917–2008), English author * John A ...

as Del Stayner * Cory "Corky" Nemec as

/ Dennis Parnell

Supporting

Luke Edwards Luke Edwards (born 12 January 2002) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League The Australian Football League (AFL) is the pre-eminent professional sports, professional competi ...

as Steven Stayner (age 7) *

Pruitt Taylor Vince Pruitt Taylor Vince (born July 5, 1960) is an American actor. Often classified as a character actor, he made his film debut with a supporting role in '' Angel Heart'' (1987). After supporting roles in the films ''Mississippi Burning'' (1988), ' ...

as Irving Murphy *

Ray Walston Herman Ray Walston (November 2, 1914 – January 1, 2001) was an American actor. He started his career on Broadway theatre, Broadway earning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Mr. Applegate in ''Damn Yankees'' (1956 ...

as Bob Augustine *

Gregg Henry Gregg Lee Henry (born May 6, 1952) is an American actor. He is best known for his performance as serial killer Dennis Rader in the television film '' The Hunt for the BTK Killer'' and for playing various "heavies" in various films, such as in ' ...

as Officer Kean *

Jim Haynie Jim Haynie (February 6, 1940 - April 4, 2021) was an American actor best known for his small roles in television shows and films. Notable among his film credits are performances in '' Staying Together'' (1989), ''The Bridges of Madison County'' ...

as Officer Scott * Amy O'Neill *

Barry Corbin Leonard Barrie Corbin (born October 16, 1940) is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as Maurice Minnifield on the television series ''Northern Exposure'' (1990–1995), which earned him two consecutive Primetime Emmy Award ...

as Officer Warner

Guest

* Peter Michael Goetz as Pat Halford * Alan Fudge as Chief Johnson * Todd Eric Andrews as

Cary Stayner Cary Anthony Stayner (born August 13, 1961) is an American serial killer and the older brother of kidnapping victim Steven Stayner. He worked as a mechanic in Mariposa County, California, and murdered four women between February and July 1 ...

(Age 18) * Hilary Morse as Cindy Stayner (Age 16) * Shantee Stebins as Jody Stayner (Age 12) * Marice Leeds as Cory Stayner (Age 11) * Harold P. Pruitt as Birch * Jonathan Perpich as Officer Severeid * William Frankfather as Judge Sabraw * John Vickery as George McLure * James Ingersoll as Joe Allen *

John DeMita John DeMita is an American actor. He is married to Julia Fletcher. He is most recognized as the voice of Dosu Kinuta, Hiashi Hyuga and Hizashi Hyuga on the hit anime series ''Naruto''. In addition to his many film roles, he is also notable for ...

as Dan Smith * Billy Ray Sharkey as Sheriff Suggs * Shannon Holt as Angela White * Mark Tymchyshyn as Jim White * Jason Presson as Deke * Michael Chieffo as Don * Whitney Rydbeck as Mr. Craft * Jacob Gelman as Timmy White * Natvido Vacio as Vicente * Pamela McMyler as Rosanna * Ron Tank as TV Journalist * Andrew Amadore as TV Reporter * Jeremy McCollum as Kleekie * David Glasser as Boots * Robert Balderson as P.E. Teacher * Gregory "Mars" Martin as Victor (Age 14) * Wendy Gordon as TV Newscaster * Darcy DeMoss as Debbie * Dave Adams as Cashier * Annie O'Donnell as Official * Dan Kelpie as Court Officer * Tiu Leek as Reporter #1 * Kim Maxwell as Reporter #2 * Jeff Olson as Reporter #3 *

Bryan Cranston Bryan Lee Cranston (born March 7, 1956) is an American actor. After taking minor roles in television, he established himself as a leading actor in both comedic and dramatic Bryan Cranston filmography, works on stage and screen. He has received ...

as Officer Dickinson (uncredited) *

Barbara Tarbuck Barbara Tarbuck (January 15, 1942 – December 26, 2016) was an American film, television, and stage actress from Detroit, Michigan, best known for her recurring role as Lady Jane Jacks on ''General Hospital''. Life and career Tarbuck was born ...

as School Counselor *

Arliss Howard Leslie Richard "Arliss" Howard (born October 18, 1954) is an American actor, screenwriter, and film director. He is known for his roles in the films ''Full Metal Jacket'' (1987), '' Tequila Sunrise'' (1988), '' The Lost World: Jurassic Park'' (19 ...

as Kenneth Parnell (uncredited) *

Stephen Dorff Stephen Hartley Dorff Jr. (born July 29, 1973) is an American actor. Starting his film career as a child appearing in the Cult following, cult horror (genre), horror film ''The Gate (1987 film), The Gate'' (1987), Dorff first rose to prominence ...

as Pete (uncredited) *

Beth Grant Beth Grant (born September 18, 1949) is an American character actor, character actress. Between 2012 and 2017, she was a series regular on the television comedy ''The Mindy Project'' in the role of Beverly Janoszewski. She is also known for her ...

as Mrs. Beta (uncredited)

Ratings

References

External links

* *{{Rotten Tomatoes, i_know_my_first_name_is_steven_1989 1989 American television series debuts 1989 American television series endings 1980s American drama television series 1980s American television miniseries NBC original films American English-language television shows Drama films based on actual events Television series by Lorimar Television Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios Films directed by Larry Elikann NBC television dramas