Steve Harvey’s life story goes from rags to riches. Born to a father who worked as a coal miner and a mom who was a teacher at a Sunday school, Harvey didn’t have a lot while growing up. Not many know that Steve was actually named Broderick Stephen Harvey, after actor Broderick Crawford, but he never used that name and preferred Steve instead. After some years living in Virginia, Harvey and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended high-school.
Harvey worked several jobs before he tried himself in stand-up comedy.
He was a boxer, a carpet-cleaner, a postman, and a car-repairman when he first learned of the comedy clubs. “I had never even heard of a comedy club,” he told People. “I didn’t even know they existed.”
He had his first gig ever at the Hilarities Comedy Club in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1985. This, however, wasn’t enough for Harvey to be able to afford a nice life for himself. In fact, he spent a few years as a homeless person and was living in his old car. But things were about to change for the better for the aspiring comedian who is until this day known as one of the best TV show hosts.
His determination and hard work let Harvey’s talent shine.
Soon after, he had his own show which was very popular, but mostly within the African-American community. From 1996 to 2002 he landed “The Steve Harvey Show” on the WB network. However, he was yet to reach to even wider audiences. Luckily, it didn’t take long before Harvey made a name for himself. His shows were now watched by people from all over the country and today, he is one of the most famous people in the show business.
The six-time Daytime Emmy Award winner has hosted Family Feud, Celebrity, Little Big Shots, radio programs, his own talk show and written four books. But despite his enormous success, Harvey has managed to stay grounded and never forgot where he came from
Steve was married three times.
The comedian has two daughters and a son with his first wife Marcia Harvey. After the couple divorced in 1994, Harvey lost touch with his kids as it looked like he put his career on the top of his priorities and didn’t have much time for the family. Later, however, he and his kids got on good terms and Harvey said, “Years later they said to me, ‘Dad, we didn’t understand why you left us, but we know now you had to go. You didn’t just belong to us. You belonged to the world.”
His second wife, Mary Shackelford, whom Harvey has son Wynton with, accused him after they divorced of infidelity. She was reported saying how Harvey left her with nothing and took her son away from her, which later turned not to be true.
Now, he’s married to his third wife Marjoire Bridges with whom he runs the foundation The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation which offers mentoring programs, education, and financial assistance to families in need.