Lee Majors

Synopsis of Lee Majors’ Life and Career

Lee Majors, born Harvey Lee Yeary III on April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan, is a celebrated American actor who rose to fame through iconic television roles. Prior to his acting career, Majors worked as a park recreation director for the City of Los Angeles. His breakthrough came in the 1960s, and he achieved stardom with hit TV series such as The Big Valley and The Fall Guy. However, it was his portrayal of Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man that cemented his status as a television icon.

Early Life

Lee Majors experienced tragedy early in life, losing both of his parents by the age of 18 months. His father died in a steel mill accident, and his mother was struck and killed by a drunk driver while crossing the street. Raised by an aunt and uncle, Majors only discovered the truth about his parents’ deaths during his teenage years when he came across newspaper clippings about the incidents. Instead of succumbing to grief, Majors found strength in this discovery and resolved to honor his adoptive parents by excelling in life.

An exceptional athlete, Majors earned a football scholarship to Indiana University before transferring to Eastern Kentucky State College (now Eastern Kentucky University). Unfortunately, a severe back injury ended his hopes for a career in sports, but it also led him to pursue acting. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in physical education, and soon after, his ambitions shifted towards Hollywood.

Personal Life and Career Beginnings

While still in college, Majors married Kathy Robinson, and they welcomed their son, Lee, in 1962. The following year, Majors and his family moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks. However, the move strained his marriage, leading to the separation of Majors from his wife and son, who returned to Kentucky. Despite these personal challenges, Majors remained focused on his acting aspirations, setting the stage for his eventual success in the entertainment industry.

Early Career

Lee Majors began his acting journey in Los Angeles, where he trained with renowned coach Estelle Harmon at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. Early in his career, Majors was touted as the next “James Dean” and quickly began securing small roles. His breakout came in the TV Western The Big Valley (1965-69), where he portrayed Heath Barkley.

On The Big Valley, Majors had the opportunity to work alongside legendary actress Barbara Stanwyck. Reflecting on his experience in a 2013 interview with Fox News, Majors credited Stanwyck as a mentor, stating, “She took me under her wing. She was a disciplinarian and taught me the essentials: be on time, know your lines, hit your mark, and stay quiet.”

‘The Six Million Dollar Man’

After The Big Valley ended, Majors appeared in shows like The Virginian and Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law. However, his career soared when he was cast as the lead in the 1973 TV movie The Six Million Dollar Man, where he played Steve Austin, an astronaut rebuilt with bionic technology after a devastating accident. His character becomes a government agent, equipped with superhuman strength and abilities. The TV movie’s success led to a full-fledged series that ran from 1974 to 1978, catapulting Majors to stardom.

Later Career

Following the success of The Six Million Dollar Man, Majors found further fame with The Fall Guy (1981-86), in which he played a stuntman who also worked as a bounty hunter. During the 1980s and 1990s, he reprised his iconic role as Steve Austin in several TV movies. Majors continued to work steadily, with notable appearances in shows such as The Game, Weeds, and Raising Hope. In 2013, he returned to TV with a guest role on Dallas, where he shared screen time with Linda Gray.

Personal Life

Lee Majors has been married four times. His first marriage to actress Kathy Robinson in 1961 produced a son, Lee Majors II, before they divorced in 1964. Majors then married actress Farrah Fawcett in 1973. During their high-profile marriage, both actors were at the height of their careers—Majors on The Six Million Dollar Man and Fawcett on Charlie’s Angels. They separated in 1979 and divorced in 1982. Fawcett passed away in 2009.

In 1988, Majors married former Playboy model Karen Velez. The couple had three children together: daughter Nikki, and twin sons, Dane and Trey. They divorced in 1994. Majors married his fourth wife, Faith Cross, in 2002, and they reside in Houston, Texas.

In 2003, Majors underwent heart surgery to repair a blocked artery, but he has since remained active in both his professional and personal life.