The life narrative of Steve Harvey is one of victory against adversity. Because both his mother and father were employed as Sunday school teachers and coal miners, Harvey didn’t have much growing up.
Many people are unaware that Steve went by the name Steve and that his real name was Broderick Stephen Harvey, inspired by the actor Broderick Crawford. Harvey spent his high school years in Virginia before his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio.
Harvey had a number of jobs before he tried stand-up comedy.
He worked as a boxer, carpet cleaner, postman, and car mechanic when he first learned about comedy clubs. “I had never even heard of a comedy club; I was unaware they existed.”
He made his stage debut at Cleveland’s Hilarities Comedy Club in 1985. To live a comfortable life, Harvey needed more than this, though.
He lived in his old car and had been homeless for a while. But things were about to change for the young comedian, who is now recognized as one of the best TV program hosts in the nation.
Harvey’s dedication and hard work allowed his talent to shine.
Soon after, he was given his own show, which mostly African-Americans found to be quite successful. From 1996 to 2002, he served as the host of “The Steve Harvey Show” on the WB network.
He still needed to connect with a lot more individuals, though. Fortunately, Harvey didn’t have to wait long to become well-known. He became one of the most well-known people in the entertainment sector as a result of his performances, which drew crowds from all over the nation.
The six-time Daytime Emmy Award winner has hosted Family Feud, Celebrity, Little Big Shots, radio shows, his own talk show, and four books. Harvey has maintained his groundedness and never lost sight of his roots in spite of his great success.
In his lifetime, Steve has been married three times.
The comedian shares three kids—two daughters and a son—with his first wife, Marcia Harvey.
After the couple’s 1994 divorce, Harvey lost touch with his kids because it seemed like he put his career above his family and didn’t have much time for them.
After they made peace, Harvey claimed that his kids told him, “Dad, we didn’t understand why you left us, but we know now you had to go.”
After they divorced, Harvey’s second wife, Mary Shackelford, with whom he shares a son named Wynton, accused him of adultery. Harvey supposedly abandoned her and kidnapped her children, but this was ultimately shown to be inaccurate.
He is currently married to Marjorie Bridges, with whom he co-directs the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, which offers low-income families financial assistance, mentoring, and educational opportunities.
Harvey feels that because he has experienced being less fortunate, he owes it to others who are having a hard time making ends meet to be there for them.
The life story of Harvey and Marjorie is like a romance movie.
The first time he met her was in 1990 when she was attempting to get to her front-row seat at one of his stand-up performances. He said, “I’m sorry, I don’t know who she is, but I’m going to marry her.” 15 years later, when destiny brought them back together, the comedian maintained his word.
Marjorie expressed her admiration for Harvey to Essence magazine, saying, “I hope every woman could meet a soulmate as I’ve been lucky to find. Without a doubt, this is my best friend.”
Harvey never misses an occasion to tell her how much she means to him and how much he loves her. In fact, he made a moving disclosure on his show on Mother’s Day of 2015 that was seen by everyone on the planet.
Marjorie immediately glanced at her husband in confusion since she had no idea what her husband was about to do.
“I wanted to let you know…
I’m going to marry you one day was the first thing I ever said to you,” he said.
Harvey started to speak. He then declared that without her at his side, he would never have reached his current position in his passionate speech. She makes his life better, brightens his days, and she gives him joy and happiness.
“You gave my kids a sense of security, and I existed before you; today I live as a result of you. I never lived before you,” Harvey said. He adopted Marjorie’s three children from her previous marriage, and together with Harvey’s kids, they make a loving large family.
