Steve Reeves
Steve was born in Montana, January 21, 1926; moving to California at the age of ten with his widowed mother. While in his teens he began working out with weights. By seventeen he had already developed the world's most perfect body, to go along with a perfectly proportioned handsome face.
After serving a stint in the army at the end of the second war Steve entered body building contests. He easily won "Mr. Pacific Coast," "Mr. Western America," "1947 Mr. America," "1948 Mr. World," and "1950 Mr. Universe."
Hollywood called Steve, but his shyness and stiffness limited his chances. He did several parts that were always linked to his physical appearance. Steve then went to work for a health chain. His good luck came in 1958 when a producer in Italy was looking for someone to play Hercules. Though Steve had a good deep voice, he spoke haltingly, but since the films were always dubbed, this did not present a problem. An excellent stunt double, Gianni Friglia, did all the physical parts of the films, since Steve was not very athletic. Basically, Steve only needed to show his physical great looks.
Another great fortune entered his life, his second wife Aline. She gave Steve the assurance he needed. Soon he was investing in the stock market. His whole demeanor improved. When Aline passed away in 1989, it was a terrible blow to Steve. He spent his last years content in his Orange ranch in Southern California. Steve said he would live to be a hundred, but a blood clot in his leg proved him wrong. He died in May of 2000. At his funeral Richard Harrison spoke and said the only way there will ever be another Steve Reeves is if he is created in a laboratory.
