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Steve Harvey
SteveHarveyHWOFMay2013 (cropped).jpg
Harvey in 2013
Born
Broderick Stephen Harvey

(1957-01-17) January 17, 1957 (age 68)
Education Kent State University
West Virginia University
Occupation
  • Comedian
  • television host
  • actor
  • writer
  • producer
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s)
  • Marcia Harvey
    (m. 1981; div. 1994)
  • Mary Shackelford
    (m. 1996; div. 2005)
  • Marjorie Bridges
    (m. 2007)
Children 7, including Lori Harvey

Broderick Stephen Harvey Sr. (born January 17, 1957) is a famous American comedian, television host, actor, writer, and producer. He is well-known for hosting popular shows like The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, and Judge Steve Harvey. He also used to host the Miss Universe competition.

Steve Harvey has achieved many awards. These include seven Daytime Emmy Awards, two Marconi Awards, and fourteen NAACP Image Awards. He started his career as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s. Later, he hosted Showtime at the Apollo and starred in the TV show The Steve Harvey Show. In 2000, he was part of The Original Kings of Comedy after a very successful comedy tour. His last stand-up show was in 2012.

As an author, Harvey has written four books. His 2009 book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, was a huge bestseller. In 2017, he started Steve Harvey Global. This is an entertainment company that includes his production company, East 112, and other projects. He also helped launch an African version of Family Feud. Steve and his wife, Marjorie, created The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation. This group helps young people with education.

Early Life and Education

Broderick Stephen Harvey was born on January 17, 1957. His birthplace was Welch, West Virginia. His father, Jesse Harvey, was a coal miner. Steve was the youngest of five children. He was named after the actor Broderick Crawford.

When he was a child, Steve had a bad stutter. He worked hard and eventually overcame it. In sixth grade, he wrote that he wanted to be on TV. His teacher thought he was joking. But his father believed in him. After Steve became famous, he sent that teacher a TV every Christmas.

Steve and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. They lived on East 112th Street. In 2015, this street was renamed Steve Harvey Way. He graduated from Glenville High School in 1974.

After high school, Harvey went to Kent State University. He was part of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He studied advertising but left after two years. He later said he regretted not finishing his degree.

Career Highlights

Starting in Comedy

Before comedy, Steve Harvey worked many jobs. He was a boxer, an autoworker, and an insurance salesman. He also cleaned carpets and delivered mail.

He first performed stand-up comedy on October 8, 1985. This was at the Hilarities Comedy Club in Cleveland, Ohio. In the late 1980s, Harvey was homeless for three years. He often slept in his car. He would shower at gas stations or swimming pools. Some kind people helped him during this tough time.

Moving to Television and Film

Steve Harvey September 2008
Harvey in September 2008

In 1990, Steve Harvey was a finalist in a national comedy search. This led him to become the host of It's Showtime at the Apollo. He hosted this popular show for many years.

His success in stand-up comedy led to acting roles. In 1994, he starred in the ABC series Me and the Boys. Later, he starred in The Steve Harvey Show on The WB network. This show ran from 1996 to 2002. It was very popular, especially in the African-American community.

In 1997, Harvey joined the Kings of Comedy tour. He performed with Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac. This tour became the highest-earning comedy tour ever. It made millions of dollars. The comedy act was later made into a film by Spike Lee. It was called The Original Kings of Comedy.

Steve Harvey has hosted The Steve Harvey Morning Show since 2000. This is a weekday morning radio program. It is broadcast across the United States.

He also appeared in several movies. These include The Fighting Temptations (2003) with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles. He was also in Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003). In 2005, he voiced Buzz the Fly in Racing Stripes.

In 2009, Harvey released his book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. This book gives advice on relationships. A movie based on the book, Think Like a Man, came out in 2012. The book was a bestseller for many weeks.

Hosting Family Feud and Other Shows

Steve Harvey, April 6, 2010
Harvey hosting his syndicated radio show in April 2010

Steve Harvey started hosting Family Feud in September 2010. The show's ratings improved a lot with him as host. He has hosted Family Feud longer than anyone else. He also hosts Celebrity Family Feud. On this show, celebrities play to win money for charity.

On August 2, 2012, Harvey performed his last stand-up comedy show. It was in Las Vegas. This ended his 27-year career as a stand-up comedian. The show was broadcast live.

In 2012, Harvey launched his own talk show. It was produced in Chicago. In 2013, he made history by being nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards. He was nominated for both Outstanding Talk Show Host and Outstanding Game Show Host. That same year, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In December 2015, Harvey hosted the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. He accidentally announced the wrong winner. He quickly corrected his mistake and apologized. He continued to host the Miss Universe pageant for several more years.

In 2016, Harvey published another book, Jump: Take the Leap of Faith to Achieve Your Life of Abundance. This book was inspired by a motivational speech he gave. In the speech, he encouraged people to use their natural talents.

He also co-created and hosted Little Big Shots. This show, launched in 2016, featured talented children. He hosted it until 2019. In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Alabama State University.

Steve Harvey Global

In 2017, Steve Harvey brought all his businesses together under one company called Steve Harvey Global (SHG). This includes his production company, East One Twelve. This company creates digital content, films, and TV shows. SHG also owns the rights for international versions of Family Feud. An African version of the show started in 2020.

He also started the Sand and Soul Festival in 2017. This event happens every year. It features live music, comedy, and a Q&A session with Steve and his wife. He also launched Harvey Events, a company that plans special events.

In January 2022, Harvey began hosting a new court comedy show called Judge Steve Harvey on ABC. In March 2024, it was announced that Harvey would join Merit Street Media. This is a new media company created by his friend Phil McGraw.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

Steve Harvey I hear you calling
Harvey talking to a group of Chicago youths during the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend in 2015.

Steve Harvey is the founder of the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation. This organization helps young people. It hosts a yearly camp for children who do not have fathers. It also works with Kent State University to provide scholarships. Harvey also partners with Walt Disney World Resort for the Disney Dreamers Academy. This is a yearly workshop for 100 students.

In 2022, Steve Harvey received the "Man in The Mirror" Award. This award is given to people who use their fame for good.

Steve Harvey has been married three times and has seven children. He has four biological children and three stepchildren. In June 2007, he married Marjorie Bridges. He says Marjorie has made him a better person. Steve adopted Marjorie's three children. They have five grandchildren.

Through 2017, Steve and his family lived in both Atlanta and Chicago. His radio show and Family Feud were recorded in Atlanta. His talk show was in Chicago. In 2018, he moved all his shows to Los Angeles.

Steve Harvey is a Christian. He believes his success comes from his faith in God. He also supports religious harmony. He believes there are many ways to reach heaven. For health reasons, Steve Harvey follows a vegan diet. He has shared information about his diet on his TV show.

Written Works

  • 2009, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
  • 2010, Straight Talk, No Chaser
  • 2014, Act Like a Success
  • 2016, Jump, Take the Leap of Faith to Achieve Your Life of Abundance

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1993–2000,
2016–2018
Showtime at the Apollo Himself/host
1994–1995 Me and the Boys Steve Tower 19 episodes
1996–2002 Steve Harvey Show, TheThe Steve Harvey Show Steve Hightower 122 episodes; also producer
2001 Proud Family, TheThe Proud Family The Credit Card (voice) Episode: "Don't Leave Home Without It"
2002, 2003 Essence Awards Himself/host
2002 My Wife and Kids Steve Episode: "Jay the Artist"
2003 Parkers, TheThe Parkers Mr. Barnes Episode: "The Hold Up"
2003–2005 Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge Himself/host Also executive producer
2004, 2005 BET Comedy Awards
2010 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Himself/Guest host 5 episodes
2010–present Family Feud Himself/host
2012 Praise the Lord Himself/Guest host November 30
2012–2017 Steve Harvey Himself/host Also executive producer
2013 NAACP Image Awards February 1
2015 Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Himself Season 6 Episode 2
2015–present Celebrity Family Feud Himself/host Also executive producer
2015–2019, 2021 Miss Universe
2016–2018 Little Big Shots Also creator/executive producer
2017 Steve Harvey's Funderdome
2017 Little Big Shots: Forever Young Also executive producer
2017–2019 Steve Also executive producer
2019–2021 NFL Honors Host of the 8th, 9th, and 10th honors.
2019–2020 WWE Network Special Special Guest
2020–present Family Feud Africa South African and Ghanaian version
2020–present Steve on Watch Also executive producer
2022–present Judge Steve Harvey Also executive producer

Film

Year Title Role Note
2000 Original Kings of Comedy, TheThe Original Kings of Comedy Himself Standup special
2003 Fighting Temptations, TheThe Fighting Temptations Miles Smoke
2003 Love Don't Cost a Thing Clarence Johnson
2004 Johnson Family Vacation Mack Johnson
2004 You Got Served Mr. Rad
2005 Racing Stripes Buzz the Fly Voice only
2006 Steve Harvey: Don't Trip... He Ain't Through with Me Yet Himself Standup special
2008 Still Singing
2009 Madea Goes to Jail Cameo appearance
2012 Think Like a Man Cameo appearance; also executive producer

Internet Streaming

Year Title Role Note
2021 Verzuz Himself/host "The Isley Brothers vs Earth Wind & Fire" Episode

Awards and Honors

SteveHarveyStandingHWOFMay2013
Harvey receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013

Emmy Awards

NAACP Image Awards

  • Four-time winner: Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
  • Three-time winner: Outstanding Comedy Series (as executive producer/star of The Steve Harvey Show – 2000, 2001, 2002)
  • 2001: Entertainer of the Year
  • Three-time winner: Outstanding News/Talk/Info Series (as executive producer/host of Steve Harvey – 2014, 2015, 2017)
  • 2015: Outstanding Host – Talk/Reality/Variety/News/Information
  • 2016: Outstanding Host – Talk/Reality/Variety/News/Information
  • 2016: Outstanding Variety Series/Special (as host of Family Feud)

Radio

  • 2007: Syndicated Personality/Show of the YearRadio & Records magazine
  • 2013: Marconi Award winner – Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year
  • 2015: Marconi Award winner – Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year

Television

  • 2013: Favorite New Talk Show Host – 39th People's Choice Awards

Organizational

  • 2011: BET Humanitarian Award – 2011 BET Awards

Halls of Fame

State/Local

  • 2015: East 112th Street in Cleveland renamed Steve Harvey Way

Honorary Degrees

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Steve Harvey para niños

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