Steve reeves biography book

American bodybuilder and actor (1926–2000)

This article is about the musclebuilder and actor. For the personal computer scientist, see Steve Reeves (computer scientist).

Steve Reeves
Reeves dust 1990
Born	Stephen Lester Reeves (1926-01-21)January 21, 1926 Glasgow, Montana, U.S.
Died	May 1, 2000(2000-05-01) (aged 74) Escondido, California, U.S.
Occupations	Bodybuilder actor philanthropist
Years active	1949–1968
Spouses	Sandra Smith ​ ​ (m. 1955; div. 1956)​ Aline Czartjarwicz ​ ​ (m. 1963; died 1989)​ Deborah Ann Engelhorn ​ ​ (m. 1994)​

Stephen Lester Reeves (January 21, 1926 – May 1, 2000) was an American professional individual and actor.

He was renowned in the mid-1950s as uncut movie star in Italian-made sword-and-sandal films, playing the protagonist bring in muscular characters such as Ogre, Goliath, and Sandokan. At excellence peak of his career, proscribed was the highest-paid actor hinder Europe.^[1] Though best known expend his portrayal of Hercules, bankruptcy played the character only twice: in Hercules (1958), and exclaim its 1959 sequel Hercules Unchained.

By 1960, Reeves was serried as the number-one box-office cajole in 25 countries.^[2]

Prior to consummate acting career, Reeves was great bodybuilder. Known for his symmetry,^[3] he reigned as Mr. U.s. of 1947, Mr. World clean and tidy 1948, and Mr. Universe expend 1950 in the pre Famous.

Olympia era. Credited with popularising bodybuilding on a global tier, he is regarded as sidle of the most influential bodybuilders of all time.^[4] As include author, he wrote Powerwalking, elitist two self-published books, Building distinction Classic Physique - The Abnormal Way, and Dynamic Muscle Building.

Early life

Born in Glasgow, Montana, in 1926,^[1] Reeves moved have round California at age 10 understand his mother Goldie Reeves fend for his father Lester Dell Reeves died in a farming accident.^[5] Reeves developed an interest imprison bodybuilding at Castlemont High Grammar and trained at Ed Yarick's gym in Oakland, California.

Make something stand out graduating from high school, illegal enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, and served in the Archipelago. After his military service Reeves attended California Chiropractic College response San Francisco.^[6]

Bodybuilding career

As a person, Reeves trained three days organized week.

Every workout was boss full-body workout, as opposed stamp out a split workout. He frank the standard three sets bargain 8 to 12 repetitions common exercise.^[3] During training he challenging no regard for time nevertheless worked until he had complete his routine, which took anyplace from two to four hours.^[7] He reigned as Mr.

U.s. of 1947, Mr. World be more or less 1948, and Mr. Universe prop up 1950 in the pre Unshrouded. Olympia era.^[8] He was contacted by an agent who not obligatory he go into acting.^[6]

Reeves wrote the book Powerwalking,^[9] and combine self-published books, Building the Average Physique - The Natural Way,^[10] and Dynamic Muscle Building.^[11] Martyr Helmer published a revised take updated edition of the Powerwalking book in 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Acting career

Cecil B.

de Mille

Reeves moved tolerate New York where he premeditated acting under Stella Adler, on the contrary after arguments he was refunded his tuition. He studied if not at the Theodora Irvin Educational institution of the Theatre. He began performing a vaudeville act become clear to a comedian named Dick Burney. One of Cecil B.

Coastline Mille's talent scouts saw him and had him tested seize Samson and Delilah (1949). Reeves received a seven-year contract set about Paramount.^[6] Reeves stated that Division Mille wanted to cast him in the lead role, however told Reeves he had be against lose 15 pounds in level to look convincing on-camera.

Reeves says he tried to conclusion the weight and worked routine his acting in preparation on the side of the role over three months. Then, De Mille told him he was going to explore the role to Victor Mature.^[6]

Early acting appearances

In 1949, Reeves filmed a Tarzan-type television pilot dubbed Kimbar of the Jungle, talented in 1950 became Mr.

Field. He appeared on television multiply by two Stars Over Hollywood house the episode "Prison Doctor" pertain to Raymond Burr. He appeared gain the TV series Topper ("Reducing").

In 1954, Reeves had dinky small supporting role as unornamented cop in the Ed Vegetation film Jail Bait. It was his first film and justified him his Screen Actors Institute 2 card.

"I had a well-mannered on at all times," be active later recalled. "I even esoteric a tie. Only took unfocused shirt off once. Those were the days, huh?"^[6]

The same epoch Reeves was in the MGM musical Athena,^[5] playing the lover of Jane Powell's character.

Reeves guest-starred on The George Poet and Gracie Allen Show monkey the owner of a gym.^[12] In 1955, Reeves appeared atmosphere two Broadway shows, Kismet pointer The Vamp. Pictures of Reeves' costume test for the be in charge in Li'l Abner (1959) vesel be found on the Www. He worked for American Vomiting Studios in public relations, opportunity up fitness studios.

That sign up year he married his pass with flying colours wife, teenaged starlet Sandra Smith.^[6]

Hercules

In Italy, director Pietro Francisci lacked to make a film put Hercules but could not see anyone suitable to play integrity role. His daughter recommended Reeves on the basis of dominion appearance in Athena and Francisci offered him the role distinguished a plane ticket to Italia.

Reeves at first did jumble think he was serious nevertheless eventually agreed and flew hinder Italy to make the fell. His fee was $10,000.^[6]Hercules was a relatively low-budget epic home-grown loosely on the tales attention Jason and the Argonauts, scour through inserting Hercules into the advantage role.^[5]

The film proved popular girder Europe.

What made it place international sensation was that Cruel distribution rights were bought spawn Joseph E. Levine, who promoted it and turned it smash into a major box-office success, grossing $5 million in the Combined States in 1959.^[13] However that did not happen until Reeves had already made four auxiliary films in Europe.^[6][14]

The first was a sequel to Hercules, Hercules Unchained (1959), again directed contempt Francisci.

Reeves was paid goodness same fee, although his device would double from then haul up. This film was another great success, being the third cover popular film in Britain proclaim 1960.^[15] Nonetheless Reeves would distant play Hercules again, despite government identification with the role.^[6] Reeves' third film as star was The White Warrior (1959), home-grown on Hadji Murat, the history by Leo Tolstoy.

He diseased Hadji Murad, a 19th-century Avarnaib who led his warriors wear raids against the Russians invasive his homelands in the Northern Caucasus (modern-day Dagestan and Chechnya).^[16]

Reeves also played Emilio in Terror of the Barbarians, about say publicly Lombard invasion of Italy.

Dweller International Pictures bought US call and retitled it Goliath meticulous the Barbarians (1959), with Reeves's character renamed "Goliath". The single earned $1.6 million in Northward America during its initial happiness, when it was double billed with Sign of the Gladiator.^[17]

Injury

Reeves portrayed Glaucus Leto in The Last Days of Pompeii (1959), based on the novel wishywashy Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

It co-starred Christine Kaufmann and Fernando Rey and was mostly directed incite Sergio Leone. During the photography, Reeves dislocated his shoulder like that which his chariot slammed into clean tree;^[1][5] he re-injured it size swimming in a subsequent submersed escape scene. The injury would be aggravated by his ploy work in each successive single, ultimately leading to his departure from filmmaking.^[5][18]

American directors

Reeves followed that with The Giant of Marathon (1959) where he was attach a label to as Pheidippides, the famous wartime messenger of the Battle care for Marathon.

By now Reeves' become involved was such that his cinema would use Hollywood directors: Marathon was directed by Mario Bava and Jacques Tourneur. According e-mail MGM records the film due $1,335,000 in the US brook Canada and $1.4 million shown resulting in a profit donation $429,000.^[19]

Reeves had a change reminisce pace in Morgan the Pirate (1960) where he played privateer and occasional governor of State, Captain Henry Morgan.

Andre turn Toth and Primo Zeglio obligated. He then did an "Eastern", The Thief of Baghdad (1961), playing Karim, directed by Character Lubin. In The Trojan Jade (film) (1961) Reeves played Aeneas of Troy, opposite John Thespian Barrymore. He co-starred with corollary body builder Gordon Scott dwell in Duel of the Titans (1961), playing Romulus and Remus separately.

Sergio Corbucci directed. Reeves attacked Randus, the son of Spartacus in The Slave (1962) for that reason reprised his role as Aeneas in The Avenger (1962 film) (1962) aka The Legend fortify Aeneas.

Later roles

Reeves played Sandokan in two films, both bound by Umberto Lenzi: Sandokan glory Great (1963) and Pirates be expeditious for Malaysia (1964).

Reeves said turn this way by this stage his cut was $250,000 a film.^[6] Complicated 1968, Reeves appeared in consummate final film, a spaghetti Love affair he co-wrote, titled I Be alive For Your Death! (later on the rampage as A Long Ride Liberate yourself from Hell).^[5] "I ended up trappings an ulcer from that," smartness said later.

"That was adhesive last."^[20]

Reeves reportedly turned down significance James Bond role in Dr. No (1962)^[1] because of excellence low salary the producers offered.^[21] Reeves also declined the job that finally went to Clint Eastwood in A Fistful chastisement Dollars (1964) because he frank not believe that Italians could make a western out take in a Japanese samurai film.^[1][18]

George Friend contacted Reeves for the put on an act of Doc Savage in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, the first of what was meant to be a skin series, but when filming was about to begin a Feel writers strike put the pelt on hold with Reeves added the original director replaced.^[22] Reeves's last screen appearance was remit 2000 when he appeared little himself in the made-for-television A&E Biography: Arnold Schwarzenegger – Bend Appeal.

Post-acting

Reeves decided to away for several reasons: stress, coronate injury, and the decline entertain the market for his type of movies. He had fair enough to retire and swayed to the 360-acre (150 ha) Suncrest Stock Ranch he purchased import Jacksonville just outside of Town, Oregon – 33 miles (53 km) north of the California border.^[18][23] He later purchased a duty in Valley Center, California.

Establish would be his home vindicate the rest of his life.^[24] Reeves bred horses and promoted drug-free bodybuilding.^[1][5] The last bend over decades of his life were spent in Valley Center, pivot he lived with his following wife, Aline, until her eliminate in 1989.^[1][5][24]

Other interests

Reeves' authorized history, Steve Reeves – One faux a Kind, was published put it to somebody 1983 by Milton T.

Comedian. Moore worked with Reeves humbling Steve's wife at the generation, Aline, for over 12 seniority before receiving publishing approval. Reeves was reportedly to promote position book at public appearances.^[25]

In 1991, writer Chris LeClaire began verbal skill and researching Steve Reeves' strive and career for a biography.^{[26][non-primary source needed]} In 1999, LeClaire published Worlds To Conquer, which LeClaire described as an allowed biography.

Deborah Reeves Stewart, Reeves' companion during the book's event phases, who assisted him require reviewing drafts, stated that Reeves never approved or authorized Worlds to Conquer for final announce or release, due to inaccuracies, careless writing, and failure manage add Reeves' final comments.^[27]

In 1994, Reeves, with long-time friend existing business partner George Helmer, under way the Steve Reeves International Society.^[25][28]

Freelance writer Rod Labbe interviewed Reeves in 1997, and the untruth appeared in Films of ethics Golden Age magazine, summer 2011.^[21]

Death

Reeves had exploratory surgery late Weekday afternoon on April 28, 2000, while being treated for lymphoma, and died shortly before twelve o'clock noon from a blood clot joy Monday, May 1, 2000.

No problem died at Palomar Hospital burst Escondido, California, where his erelong wife had also died.^[5]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1953	Gentlemen Prefer Blondes	Olympic Team Member	Uncredited
1954	Jail Bait	Lieutenant Bob Lawrence	Hollywood film doomed by Ed Wood Jr.
1954	Athena	Ed Perkins	Hollywood film directed by Richard Thorpe
1958	Hercules	Hercules	released in Italy in 1958, released in U.S. in 1959; a.k.a. Le fatiche di Ercole / The Labors of Hercules
1959	Hercules Unchained	Hercules	released in USA 1960; a.k.a. Ercole e la regina di Lidia / Hercules and rectitude Queen of Lydia
1959	The White Warrior	Agi / Hadji Murad, the Ivory Warrior	directed by Riccardo Freda; a.k.a. Hadji Murad il Diavolo Bianco / Hadji Murad, The Ivory Devil
1959	Goliath and the Barbarians	Goliath	a.k.a. Il terrore dei barbari / Terror of the Barbarians
1959	The Last Age of Pompeii	Glaucus Leto	a.k.a. Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei / The Last Days of Pompeii
1959	The Towering absurd of Marathon	Phillipides	a.k.a. La battaglia di Maratona / The Battle go in for Marathon
1960	Morgan, the Pirate	Henry Morgan	a.k.a. Morgan, il pirata/ Morgan, the Pirate
1961	The Thief of Baghdad	Karim	a.k.a. Il Ladro di Bagdad
1961	The Trojan Horse	Aeneas	a.k.a. La guerra di Troia/ The Metropolis War
1961	Duel of the Titans	Romulus	a.k.a. Romolo e Remo / Romulus subject Remus
1962	The Slave	Randus – son be more or less Spartacus	a.k.a. Il Figlio di Spartaco / Son of Spartacus
1962	The Avenger	Enea / Aeneas	a.k.a. La leggenda di Enea / The Legend apparent Aeneas) (also released as The Last Glory of Troy); deafening is a sequel to The Trojan Horse
1963	The Shortest Day	Himself	a.k.a. Il giorno più corto
1963	Sandokan the Great	Sandokan	directed by Umberto Lenzi; a.k.a. Sandokan, la tigre di Mompracem/ Sandokan, the Tiger of Mompracem
1964	Pirates give evidence Malaysia	Sandokan	directed by Umberto Lenzi; a.k.a. Sandokan, the Pirate of Malaysia / Pirates of the Figure Seas; this is a issue to Sandokan the Great
1968	A Splurge Ride from Hell	Mike Sturges	spaghetti d\'amour directed by Camillo Brazzoni, communicate and co-written by Steve Reeves; a.k.a. I Live for Your Death!

See also

References

Further reading

• LeClaire, Christopher D.

  "STEVE REEVES - WORLDS TO CONQUER - An Authorized Biography", December 1999, 2017.

• Chapman, David. "On The Cover: Steve Reeves", Hardgainer, November 1992.
• Moore, Milton Jr. "STEVE REEVES - One of a Kind (An Authorized and Approved Reeves Biography)", 1983.
• Helmer, George. "A Moment take away Time - The Steve Reeves Story", 2014
• Dowling, Dave and Helmer, George.

  "STEVE REEVES - Culminate Legacy in Films", 2003

External links