Harvey Stephens (August 21, 1901 – December 22, 1986) was an American actor, known initially for his performances in

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

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 The Soaring Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made the highest achievements in, or contributions to, the sport of gliding, soaring in the United States of America. It has been located at the National Soaring Museum in Elmira, New York, s ...

in 1966 for his contributions to the sport.

Early years

Stephens was born on August 21, 1901, in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. As a student at the

University of California The University of California (UC) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university, research university system in the U.S. state of California. Headquartered in Oakland, California, Oakland, the system is co ...

at Los Angeles, he earned letters in basketball and football. 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.

Stage

Stephens' debut in the theater came in 1920 at the Pilgrimage Play in

Hemet, California Hemet is a city in the San Jacinto Valley in Riverside County, California, United States. It covers a total area of , about half of the valley, which it shares with the neighboring city of San Jacinto, California, San Jacinto. The population w ...

. Following that, he toured for two years in a troupe headed by Walter Hampden and worked in stock theater companies in several cities. On Broadway, Stephens appeared as Sam Worthing in '' Other Men's Wives'', written by

Walter Hackett Walter Laurence Hackett (usually referred to as Walter Hackett, sometimes given as Walter L. Hackett or Walter Lawrence Hackett, and erroneously given as Walter C. Hackett) (November 10, 1876 – January 20, 1944) was an American playwright an ...

, late in 1929. He also appeared as Richard Wadsworth in ''Dishonored Lady'' (1930); as Gail Redman in '' Tomorrow and Tomorrow'' (1931); as Joe Fisk in '' The Animal Kingdom'' (1932); Fred Barton in ''Best Years'' (1932); Bruce Blakely in '' The Party's Over'' (1933); and John Palmer in ''

Conquest Conquest involves the annexation or control of another entity's territory through war or Coercion (international relations), coercion. Historically, conquests occurred frequently in the international system, and there were limited normative or ...

'' (1933). He also appeared in ''

South Pacific The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

'' as Commander Harbison, alongside

Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in ''South Pacific (musica ...

; he was one of only two cast members who did not sing. For the summer of 1931, Stephens was a member of the

Summer stock In American theater, summer stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock ...

cast at Elitch Theatre.Levy, Edwin Lewis, "Elitch's Gardens, Denver, Colorado: A History of the Oldest Summer Theatre in the United States (1890-1941)" octoral dissertation, Columbia University, 1960/ref>

Film

Stephens made his leading debut opposite

Tallulah Bankhead Tallulah Brockman Bankhead (January 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968) was an American actress. Primarily an actress of the stage, Bankhead also appeared in several films including an award-winning performance in Alfred Hitchcock's ''Lifeboat (194 ...

in '' The Cheat'' (1931). After appearing in ''

The Texans ''The Texans'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Joan Bennett and Randolph Scott. The screenplay was written by Bertram Millhauser, Paul Sloane and William Wister Haines and is based on the novel ''Nort ...

'' (1938) and ''

The Oklahoma Kid ''The Oklahoma Kid'' is a 1939 Western film starring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. The film was directed for Warner Bros. by Lloyd Bacon. Cagney plays an adventurous gunslinger in a broad-brimmed cowboy hat while Bogart portrays his bl ...

'' (1939), he began appearing in many Western films, although he also appeared with

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, silent screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, ...

Joan Leslie Joan Leslie (born Joan Agnes Theresa Sadie Brodel; January 26, 1925 – October 12, 2015) was an American actress and vaudevillian, who during the Hollywood Golden Age, appeared in films such as '' High Sierra'' (1941), ''Sergeant York'' (1941) ...

, and

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ''Come and Get It (1936 film), Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky (film), Kentucky'' (19 ...

in ''

Sergeant York Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was an American soldier who was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor fo ...

'' (1941).

Television

Stephens appeared on a number of television shows beginning in the early 1950s and continuing through the late 1960s, including ''

The Aquanauts ''The Aquanauts'' (later known as ''Malibu Run'') is an American adventure/ drama series that aired on CBS September 14, 1960 - February 22, 1961 (or September 14, 1960 - September 27, 1961). The series stars Keith Larsen, Jeremy Slate and Ro ...

'', '' Ripcord'', ''

77 Sunset Strip ''77 Sunset Strip'' is an American private detective crime drama television series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Each epis ...

'', ''

Ben Casey ''Ben Casey'' is an American medical drama television series that aired on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, ✳, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member ...

'' and ''

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis ''The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis'' (also known as simply ''Dobie Gillis'' or ''Max Shulmans Dobie Gillis'' in later seasons and in syndication) is an American sitcom starring Dwayne Hickman that aired on CBS from September 29, 1959, to June 5, 1 ...

'', as well as multiple episodes of ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'', ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

'', ''

Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...

'', ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and four short stories, all of which involve a ...

'', and ''

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''.

Activities outside of acting

Beginning in the late 1930s, Stephens was one of the earliest major proponents of gliders, and pursued an interest in the sport throughout his life. 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

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

Partial filmography

* '' The Cheat'' (1931) – Jeffrey Carlyle * '' Paddy the Next Best Thing'' (1933) – Jack Breen * '' Jimmy and Sally'' (1933) – Ralph Andrews * '' The Worst Woman in Paris?'' (1933) – John Strong * ''

Sleepers East ''Sleepers East'' is a 1934 American pre-Code crime film directed by Kenneth MacKenna and written by Lester Cole. It is based on the 1933 novel ''Sleepers East'' by Frederick Nebel. The film stars Wynne Gibson, Preston Foster, Mona Barrie, Ha ...

'' (1934) – Martin Knox (uncredited) * ''

Evelyn Prentice ''Evelyn Prentice'' is a 1934 American crime drama film starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, and featuring Una Merkel and Rosalind Russell in her film debut. The movie was based on the 1933 novel of the same name by W. E. Woodward. Filmed betw ...

'' (1934) – Lawrence Kennard * ''

After Office Hours ''After Office Hours'' is a 1935 crime drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Clark Gable and Constance Bennett. The screenplay was written by Herman Mankiewicz. Plot Jim Branch (Clark Gable), a newspaper editor, falls for we ...

'' (1935) – Tommy Bannister * '' One New York Night'' (1935) – Collis * ''

Baby Face Harrington ''Baby Face Harrington'' is a 1935 American crime comedy film directed by Raoul Walsh and written by Nunnally Johnson, Edwin H. Knopf and Charles Lederer. The film stars Charles Butterworth, Una Merkel, Harvey Stephens, Eugene Pallette and N ...

'' (1935) – Ronald * ''

Let 'Em Have It ''Let 'Em Have It'' is a 1935 American gangster film directed by Sam Wood. The film was also known under the title ''False Faces'' in the United Kingdom and ''The Legion of Valour'' in Australia. Plot An FBI agent tracks down a gang leader. Cast ...

'' (1935) – Van Rensseler * ''

The Murder Man ''The Murder Man'' is a 1935 American crime-drama film starring Spencer Tracy, Virginia Bruce, and Lionel Atwill, and directed by Tim Whelan. The picture was Tracy's first film in what would be a twenty-year career with MGM. Tracy plays an inve ...

'' (1935) – Henry Mander * ''

Orchids to You ''Orchids to You'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring John Boles, Jean Muir and Charles Butterworth.Solomon p.379 Plot A flower shop owner and a married attorney begin a romance after meeting in court. P ...

'' (1935) – George Draper * '' It's in the Air'' (1935) – Sidney Kendall * ''

Whipsaw A whipsaw or pitsaw was originally a type of saw used in a saw pit, and consisted of a narrow blade held rigid by a frame and called a frame saw or sash saw (see illustrations). This evolved into a straight, stiff blade without a frame, up to ...

'' (1935) – Ed Dexter * '' Tough Guy'' (1936) – Chief Davison * '' Robin Hood of El Dorado'' (1936) – Captain Osborne * ''

Absolute Quiet ''Absolute Quiet'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by George B. Seitz and written by Harry Clork. The film stars Lionel Atwill, Irene Hervey, Raymond Walburn, Stuart Erwin, Ann Loring and Louis Hayward. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, it was ...

'' (1936) – Barney Tait * '' The Three Wise Guys'' (1936) – Ambersham * ''

Sworn Enemy Sworn Enemy is an American metalcore band from New York City, formed in 1997. History The band formed as "Downfall" and later on as "Mindset", a product of the extremely expansive and influential New York hardcore scene. At its original incep ...

'' (1936) – District Attorney Paul Scott * ''

All American Chump ''All American Chump'' is a 1936 American comedy film produced by MGM, directed by Edwin L. Marin and written by Lawrence Kimble. The film stars Stuart Erwin, Robert Armstrong, Betty Furness, Edmund Gwenn and Harvey Stephens. Plot When a tra ...

'' (1936) – Jim Crawford * '' Maid of Salem'' (1937) – Dr. John Harding * '' Murder Goes to College'' (1937) – Paul Broderick * '' Swing High, Swing Low'' (1937) – Harvey Howell * '' King of Gamblers'' (1937) – J.G. Temple * '' Night of Mystery'' (1937) – Dr. Von Blon * ''

Forlorn River ''Forlorn River'' is a Western novel written by Zane Grey, first published in 1927. Plot Ben Ide spends his time chasing wild horses in Northern California, accompanied by the wanderer, Nevada and his Native American companion, Modoc. Rather t ...

'' (1937) – Les Setter * '' Night Club Scandal'' (1937) – Frank Marsh * '' Dangerous to Know'' (1938) – Philip Easton * '' Tip-Off Girls'' (1938) – Chief Agent Jason Baardue * ''

'' (1938) – Lieutenant David Nichols * ''

'' (1939) – Ned Kincaid * '' The House of Fear'' (1939) - Richard 'Dick' Pierce * ''

You Can't Get Away with Murder ''You Can't Get Away with Murder'' is a 1939 crime drama directed by Lewis Seiler, starring Humphrey Bogart and Gale Page, and featuring " Dead End Kid" leader Billy Halop. The film is from Bogart's period of being cast in B pictures by Warn ...

'' (1939) – Fred Burke * '' Grand Jury Secrets'' (1939) – Michael Keefe * ''

Beau Geste ''Beau Geste'' is an adventure novel by British writer P. C. Wren, which details the adventures of three English brothers who enlist separately in the French Foreign Legion following the theft of a valuable jewel from the country house of a r ...

'' (1939) – Lieutenant Martin * '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940) – Ninian Edwards * ''

The Fighting 69th ''The Fighting 69th'' is a 1940 American war film starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, and George Brent. The plot is based upon the actual exploits of New York City's 69th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The regiment was given that nick ...

'' (1940) – Major Anderson * ''

Parole Fixer ''Parole Fixer'' is a 1940 American crime film directed by Robert Florey. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover is credited for the source material, the 1938 book called ''Persons in Hiding'', a purported expose of corruptio ...

'' (1940) – Bartley Hanford * ''

Stagecoach War ''Stagecoach War'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander, written by Norman Houston and Harry F. Olmsted, and starring William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Julie Carter, Harvey Stephens, J. Farrell MacDonald, Britt Wood and Rad ...

'' (1940) – Neal Holt * ''

When the Daltons Rode ''When the Daltons Rode'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by George Marshall and starring Randolph Scott, Kay Francis and Brian Donlevy. Based on the 1931 book of the same name by Emmett Dalton, a member of the Dalton Gang, and Jack J ...

'' (1940) – Rigby * '' The Texas Rangers Ride Again'' (1940) – Ranger Blair * ''

'' (1941) – Captain Danforth * '' Our Wife'' (1941) – Dr. Cassell * '' Joe Smith, American'' (1942) – Freddie Dunhill * '' The Lady Is Willing'' (1942) – Dr. Golding * '' The Courtship of Andy Hardy'' (1942) – Roderick O. Nesbit * '' Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die'' (1942) – Morgan Earp * '' George Washington Slept Here'' (1942) – Jeff Douglas * ''

Lady in the Dark ''Lady in the Dark'' is a musical with music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book and direction by Moss Hart. It was produced by Sam Harris. The protagonist, Liza Elliott, is the unhappy editor of a fashion magazine who is undergoing p ...

'' (1944) – Liza's Father * ''

The Story of Dr. Wassell ''The Story of Dr. Wassell'' is a 1944 American World War II film set in the Dutch East Indies, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, and starring Gary Cooper, Laraine Day, Signe Hasso and Dennis O'Keefe. The film was based on a book of the same name by ...

'' (1944) – Captain in Charge of Evacuation (uncredited) * '' Three Young Texans'' (1954) – Jim Colt * ''

Cell 2455, Death Row ''Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story'' is a 1954 memoir and the first of four books written on death row by convicted robbery, robber, rape, rapist and kidnapping, kidnapper Caryl Chessman (27 May 1921 – 2 May 1960). Sentenced to ...

'' (1955) – Prison Warden * ''

The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing ''The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing'' is a 1955 American film directed by Richard Fleischer from a screenplay by Walter Reisch and Charles Brackett, and starring Joan Collins, Ray Milland, and Farley Granger. The CinemaScope film was released ...

'' (1955) – Dr. Hollingshead DDS * ''

'' (1956) (Season 2 Episode 7: "Alibi Me") - Lieutenant James Larkin * '' Oregon Passage'' (1957) – Captain Boyson *''Wagon Train'' (1958) S1 E39 "The Sacramento Story" - Maxwell Revere * ''

'' (1958) (Season 3 Episode 25: "Flight to the East") - European Bureau Manager * '' The World Was His Jury'' (1958) – Judge Arthur Farrell * ''

Official Detective ''Official Detective'' is an American anthology television series which aired in syndication from 1957 to March 19, 1958. The series was hosted by veteran film actor Everett Sloane.McNeil, Alex (1996). ''Total Television'' (4th ed.). New York: ...

'' "Tinseled Alibi" – Houston – (1958) * ''

The Young Lions Young Lions may refer to: Music, film, and print * ''Young Lions'' (album), a 1990 album by Adrian Belew * ''Young Lions'' (TV series), a 2002 Australian police drama * ''Young Lions'' (book), a 2010 graphic novel by Blaise Larmee * ''The Young ...

'' (1958) – Brigadier General Sam Rockland (uncredited) * '' In Love and War'' (1958) – Amory Newcombe * ''

North by Northwest ''North by Northwest'' is a 1959 American spy thriller film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason. The original screenplay written by Ernest Lehman was intended to be the basis for ...

'' (1959) – US Intelligence Agency official (uncredited) * '' The Bat'' (1959) – John Fleming * ''

The Flight That Disappeared ''The Flight That Disappeared'' (a.k.a. ''Flight That Disappeared'') is a 1961 American science fiction film, produced by Robert E. Kent, directed by Reginald Le Borg, that stars Craig Hill, Paula Raymond, and Dayton Lummis. The film was relea ...

'' (1961) – Walter Cooper * '' Diary of a Madman'' (1963) – Louis Girot * '' Advance to the Rear'' (1964) – General Dunlop (uncredited) * '' Joy in the Morning'' (1965) – Dr. Marson

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Harvey 1901 births 1986 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male stage actors American male film actors American glider pilots Male actors from Los Angeles