Steve Harvey

Who Is Steve Harvey?

Steve Harvey is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, renowned for his multifaceted career as a stand-up comedian, television host, and author. He gained early recognition in stand-up comedy, eventually securing a hosting position on Showtime at the Apollo and starring in his own sitcom on the WB network. Harvey also appeared as one of the four comedians in Spike Lee’s acclaimed film, The Original Kings of Comedy. In addition, he launched a successful radio show in 2000, which inspired his best-selling relationship book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. Today, he is widely known as the host of the long-running game show Family Feud.

Early Life and Career

Broderick Steven Harvey was born on January 17, 1957, in Welch, West Virginia. He was the youngest of five children born to Eloise and Jesse Harvey, a coal miner who passed away in 2000 from black lung disease. During his childhood, Harvey’s family relocated to Cleveland, where he graduated from Glenville High School in 1974. He subsequently returned to West Virginia to attend West Virginia University.

After completing his education, Harvey worked various jobs, including as an insurance salesman, postman, and aspiring professional boxer, but struggled to find his true calling. His career trajectory shifted dramatically when he took the stage for the first time in 1985, performing stand-up comedy. Over the next several years, he honed his craft in small clubs and made significant strides, finishing as a finalist in the Second Annual Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search in 1989.

Showtime at the Apollo and The Steve Harvey Show

Harvey’s career began to flourish in 1993 when he became the host of Showtime at the Apollo, a renowned variety show filmed at Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theater. He continued in this role until 2000, during which time he also launched his own sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show, on the WB network in 1996. The show resonated with audiences, particularly within the African American community, and ran until 2002. It was instrumental in establishing a professional partnership with Cedric the Entertainer, who portrayed Harvey’s best friend on the show and later collaborated with him on a groundbreaking national stand-up tour.

The Kings of Comedy

Harvey, along with Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, and D.L. Hughley, embarked on a successful tour titled The Kings of Comedy, which became a cultural phenomenon. In 1999, it was recognized as the highest-grossing comedy tour in U.S. history at that time, grossing over $19 million. Their fame was further solidified with the release of Spike Lee’s 2000 documentary, The Original Kings of Comedy, which showcased the tour’s highlights. The film, produced on a budget of just $3 million, grossed more than $38 million at the box office, solidifying Harvey’s status as a national celebrity.

Although Harvey’s role as the M.C. of The Kings of Comedy is often viewed as the pinnacle of his career, the notoriety he garnered from the tour and the documentary served as the launching pad for a diverse and prosperous multimedia career.

Radio Show, Film, and Television Career

In 2000, Steve Harvey launched The Steve Harvey Morning Show, a daily talk radio program that initially aired in Los Angeles and Dallas. Over time, the show expanded to national syndication and continues to reach audiences across numerous stations. Harvey’s engaging style and dynamic presence earned him the Radio & Records magazine’s National Syndicated Personality/Show of the Year award in 2007.

While establishing himself as a prominent radio personality, Harvey also pursued opportunities in stand-up comedy and acting. Although The Steve Harvey Show on the WB concluded its six-year run in 2002, he quickly transitioned to new ventures, including hosting the reality competition Steve Harvey’s Big Time from 2003 to 2005. His film debut came in 2003 with a supporting role in The Fighting Temptations, followed by significant roles in You Got Served (2004), Johnson Family Vacation (2004), and as a voice actor in the animated film Racing Stripes (2005).

Literary Success

In 2009, Harvey became a best-selling author with his relationship advice books. Originating from a popular segment on his radio show, where he offered candid advice to women struggling with their relationships, his books presented the straightforward premise that men are often untrustworthy and that women should adapt accordingly. While some critics labeled his advice as simplistic and rooted in stereotypes, many readers appreciated his humor and frankness. Harvey’s debut book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man (2009), and its sequel, Straight Talk, No Chaser (2010), both achieved bestseller status, with the former being adapted into the film Think Like a Man in 2012.

Television Hosting and Acclaim

In 2010, Harvey secured a prestigious role as the host of the iconic game show Family Feud. This position allowed him to showcase his quick wit while engaging with contestants from diverse backgrounds. “The producers are going, ‘Wow, you really know how to handle everyday people,’ and yeah, because really I just got this money I got recently,” he remarked during this period. In 2012, he launched his daytime talk show, Steve Harvey, which garnered critical acclaim and multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as an NAACP Image Award. In 2017, he transitioned to a new talk show, Steve, which emphasized celebrity interviews over the human-interest stories that characterized his previous program.

Notable Events and New Ventures

In 2015, Harvey was selected to host the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, a role that garnered attention due to a significant on-stage error in which he mistakenly crowned Miss Colombia instead of Miss Philippines. Despite the miscommunication, Harvey continued to host the pageant in the following years, including events in the Philippines and in 2017 and 2018.

Additionally, he hosted the NBC program Little Big Shots, which premiered in March 2016 and featured talented children showcasing their skills in various fields such as music, dance, and martial arts. The show was renewed for multiple seasons but saw a change in hosting in 2019 when Melissa McCarthy took over.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

A committed born-again Christian, Harvey has been married three times and is a father to twin daughters, Brandi and Karli, and a son, Broderick Jr., from his first marriage, as well as a son, Wynton, from his second. He values his time with his blended family, which includes his current wife, Marjorie Bridge Harvey, who has three children from a previous marriage. Harvey is also the founder of The Steve Harvey Foundation, dedicated to mentoring young men.

Reflecting on his family life and charitable endeavors in a 2010 interview with The New York Times, Harvey stated, “I’m 53, I’m thinking about the responsibility of being a father, and my listeners, and I’ve just gotten to a place where it’s got to be more than jokes. I know it sounds corny, but I’m starting really to think about my life in terms of ‘What are they going to say about me?’ Do I want it just to be said this guy was a king of Comedy? Well, it’s not enough. Been there, done that. The sense of wanting to do something meaningful is upon me now.”