Lee Majors
Lee Majors | |
---|---|
Born | Harvey Lee Yeary April 23, 1939 Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S. |
Alma mater | Eastern Kentucky University |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1964–present |
Known for | |
Spouses |
|
Children | 4 |
Lee Majors (born Harvey Lee Yeary; April 23, 1939) is an American actor. He portrayed the characters of Heath Barkley on the American television Western series The Big Valley (1965–1969), Colonel Steve Austin on the American television science-fiction action series The Six Million Dollar Man (1973–1978), and Colt Seavers on the American television action series The Fall Guy (1981–1986).
Early life
Majors was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. His parents, Carl and Alice Yeary, were both killed in separate accidents. (His father died in a work accident five months prior to his birth, and his mother was killed in a car accident when he was almost seventeen months old.) At the age of two, Majors was adopted by his uncle and aunt, Harvey and Mildred Yeary, and he moved with them to Middlesboro, Kentucky.[1]
He participated in track and football at Middlesboro High School. He graduated in 1957, and earned a scholarship to Indiana University, where he again competed in sports. Majors transferred to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, in 1959.[1] He played in his first football game the following year, but suffered a severe back injury which left him paralyzed for two weeks and ruined his college athletic career. Following his injury, he turned his attention to acting and performed in plays at the Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, Kentucky. Majors graduated from Eastern Kentucky in 1962 with a degree in history and physical education.[2] He planned to be a football coach.[3]
After college, he received an offer to try out for the
Career
Early roles
Majors landed his first, although uncredited, role in
Majors got his big break when he was chosen out of over 400 young actors, including
Majors was called a "blond Elvis Presley" because of his resemblance to Elvis during this period of his career.[4]
1970s: The Six Million Dollar Man
In 1971, he landed the role of Arthur Hill's partner, Jess Brandon, on
Majors's co-starring role on Owen Marshall led him to a starring role as
In 1977, with The Six Million Dollar Man still a hit series, Majors tried to renegotiate his contract with
He also appeared in several films during the 1970s. The television film Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident (1976, as Francis Gary Powers), the Viking film The Norseman (1978) co-starring Cornel Wilde, the horror thriller Killer Fish (1979), the drama Steel (1979), which he produced, co-starring Jennifer O'Neill and Art Carney, and the political thriller Agency (1980), starring Robert Mitchum.
1980s: The Fall Guy
In 1981, Majors returned in another long-running television series. Producer
His 1980s films include the made-for-TV sequel High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane (1980), playing Gary Cooper's original role, the science fiction film The Last Chase (1981), and the disaster film Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983). Between 1987 and 1994, Majors and Lindsay Wagner reunited in three The Six Million Dollar Man/The Bionic Woman television films. Majors also made cameo appearances in Circle of Two (1980) and as himself in the 1988 holiday comedy Scrooged.
1990s–present
In 1990, he starred in the film
Majors played Coach Ross on
Majors appeared in the role of God in "Jim Almighty" a 2007 episode of
In March 2010, Majors played the crusty sailing instructor in the
Personal life
Marriages
- Kathy Robinson (married 1961, divorced 1964) – One child together, Lee Majors Jr. (born April 8, 1962), who later became an actor and appeared alongside his father in the three Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman reunion telefilms, credited as Lee Majors II.[citation needed]
- Unknown Stuntman, which makes reference to her.
- Faith Noelle Cross (married on November 1, 2002) – actress and model.[13][16]
Health
In 2003, Majors had heart bypass surgery.[17]
Los Angeles Express
In April 1983, Majors became part owner of the LA Express of the United States Football League.[18]
Popular culture
The song "Midnight Train to Georgia" was inspired by Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett.[19] Songwriter Jim Weatherly phoned his friend Majors one day, and the call was answered by Fawcett. Weatherly and Fawcett chatted briefly and she told him she was going to visit her mother and was taking "the midnight plane to Houston." Although Majors and Fawcett were both successful by that time, Weatherly used them as "characters" in his song about a failed actress who leaves Los Angeles, and is followed by her boyfriend who cannot live without her.[20] Eventually the genders were swapped, the plane became a train, and Houston was changed to Georgia. The recording by Gladys Knight & the Pips went to number one in 1973.[21]
In the 1994 The Simpsons episode "Burns' Heir", Marge Simpson fantasizes about running off with Majors.
The title of the Beastie Boys song "Lee Majors Come Again" is a reference to Majors.[22]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1964 | Strait-Jacket | Frank Harbin | Uncredited |
1967 | Clambake | Man in Restaurant | Uncredited |
1968 | Will Penny | Blue | |
1969 | The Ballad of Andy Crocker | Andy Crocker | |
1970 | The Liberation of L.B. Jones | Steve Mundine | |
1970 | Weekend of Terror | Larry | |
1976 | The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident | Francis Gary Powers | |
1977 | Just a Little Inconvenience | Frank Logan | |
1978 | The Norseman | Thorvald | |
1979 | Killer Fish | Lasky | |
1979 | Steel | Mike Catton | |
1980 | Agency | Philip Morgan | |
1980 | High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane | Will Kane | |
1981 | Circle of Two | Theatre Patron | Cameo |
1981 | The Last Chase | Franklyn Hart | |
1983 | Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land | Captain Cody Briggs | |
1988 | Scrooged | Lee Majors | |
1990 | Keaton's Cop | Mike Gable | |
1991 | Fire: Trapped on the 37th Floor | Deputy Chief Sterling | |
1992 | Raven: Return of the Black Dragons
|
Herman 'Ski' Jablonski | |
1994 | Bionic Ever After? | Colonel Steve Austin | |
1997 | Trojan War | Officer Austin | |
1998 | The Protector | Austin | |
1998 | Musketeers Forever | Ben O'Connor | |
2000 | Primary Suspect | Lieutenant Blake | |
2001 | Out Cold | John Majors | |
2002 | Big Fat Liar | Vince | |
2003 | Fate | Oscar Ogden | |
2004 | Arizona Summer | Mr. Travers | |
2005 | The Last Confederate: The Story of Robert Adams | Dr. Jack Lee | Deleted scenes |
2005 | Hell to Pay | Marshal Boone | |
2006 | When I Find the Ocean | Thomas | |
2006 | Lightspeed | Tanner | |
2006 | Waitin' to Live | Bucko Cassidy | |
2006 | National Lampoon's TV: The Movie | Dr. Lakin | |
2007 | The Brothers Solomon | Ed Solomon | |
2007 | Ben 10: Race Against Time | Max Tennyson | |
2009 | The Adventures of Umbweki | Police Captain Richard | |
2010 | Johnny | Dr. Miller | |
2010 | Corruption.Gov | Jim Lawrence | |
2011 | Jerusalem Countdown | Rockwell | |
2013 | Matt's Chance | The Figure | |
2014 | The Legend of Darkhorse County | Sheriff McElroy | |
2015 | Do You Believe? | J.D. | |
2015 | Toxin: 700 Days Left on Earth | President Austin | |
2016 | Almosting It | Chet | |
2016 | Wild Bill Hickok: Swift Justice | Grandpa Hickok | |
2016 | Jean | Spiritual Stone | |
2017 | Victory by Submission | Sam Jordan | |
2021 | Narco Sub | Dallas Chapman | |
2022 | Renegades | Carver | |
2024 | The Fall Guy[12] |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1965 | Gunsmoke | Dave Lukens | Episode: "Song for Dying" |
1965–1969 | The Big Valley | Heath Barkley | 112 episodes |
1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
|
Howard White | Episode: "The Monkey's Paw–A Retelling" |
1970 | Bracken's World | Frank Carver | Episode: "Super-Star" |
1970–1971 | The Virginian | Roy Tate | 24 episodes |
1971 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Jess Brandon | Episode: "Men Who Care" |
1971–1974 | Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law | Jess Brandon | 53 episodes |
1972 | Alias Smith and Jones | Joe Briggs | Episode: "The McCreedy Bust: Going, Going, Gone" |
1972 | The Sixth Sense | Clayton Ross | Episode: "With This Ring, I Thee Kill!" |
1973–1978 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Colonel Steve Austin
|
99 episodes TV Land Award for Superest Super Hero (2003) Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (1976) |
1974 | ABC Funshine Saturday Sneak Peek | Lee Majors / Steve Austin | Television film |
1976 | The Bionic Woman | Colonel Steve Austin
|
6 episodes |
1981–1986 | The Fall Guy | Colt Seavers | Lead role 112 episodes |
1983 | Trauma Center | Colt Seavers | Episode: "Notes About Courage" |
1983 | The Love Boat | Robert Richards | 2 episodes |
1984 | The Cowboy and the Ballerina | Bob Clayton (aka Clay) | Television film |
1986 | A Smoky Mountain Christmas | Mountain Dan | Television film |
1987 | The Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman | Colonel Steve Austin | Television film |
1988 | Dolly | Harold "Chance" Coleman | Episode: "#1.14" |
1988 | Danger Down Under | Reed Harris | Television film |
1989 | Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman | Steve Austin | Television film |
1989 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Jesse Pruitt | Episode: "Road Show" |
1990 | Tour of Duty | "Pop" Scarlet | 5 episodes |
1992–1993 | Raven
|
Herman "Ski" Jablonski | 20 episodes |
1993 | The Cover Girl Murders | Rex Kingman | Television film |
1995 | Lonesome Dove: The Series | Woodrow F. Call | Episode: "Ties That Bind" |
1995 | Achilles | Peleus | Television film |
1995 | The Pinocchio Shop | Howard Hughes | Episode: "Air Tristan" |
1996 | Promised Land | Jim Walker | Episode: "The Secret" |
1996 | Daytona Beach | Owen Travers | Television film |
1997 | Lost Treasure of Dos Santos | Roy Stark | Television film |
1998 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Sheriff Bell | Episode: "On the Border" |
1999 | Soldier of Fortune, Inc. | Tom Winters | Episode: "Critical List" |
2000 | Family Guy | Himself | Voice, episode: "Running Mates" |
2000 | V.I.P. | Jed Irons | Episode: "Ride of the Valkyries" |
2000 | The War Next Door | Kennedy Smith Sr. | Episode: "Father Knows Death" |
2000 | Too Much Sun | Scott Reed | 6 episodes |
2001 | Hotel! | President of the U.S.A. | Television film |
2001 | Hard Knox | Darrell Knox | Television film |
2002 | Son of the Beach | Colonel Seymore Kooze | 3 episodes |
2003 | Jake 2.0 | Richard Fox | Episode: "Double Agent" |
2004 | The Trail to Hope Rose | Marshall Toll | Television film |
2005 | Will & Grace | Burt Wolfe | Episode: "It's a Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad World" |
2007 | The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman | Governor of California | Episode: "Good Times and Great Oldies" |
2007–2009 | The Game
|
Coach Ross | 6 episodes |
2007 | Wapos Bay | Steve from Ausin | Voice, episode: "Guardians" |
2007 | Me & Lee? | Television film | |
2008 | Wainy Days | David's Dad | Episode: "Rebecca" |
2008–2009 | According to Jim | God | Episodes: "Jim Almighty" and "Heaven Opposed to Hell" |
2008 | Weeds | Minute-Man Leader | 3 episodes |
2008 | Cold Case | Dean London '08 | Episode: "Wings" |
2009 | Robot Chicken | Various | Voice; Episode: "Love, Maurice" |
2010 | Community | Admiral Lee Slaughter | Episode: "Beginner Pottery" |
2010 | Human Target | Christopher Chance | Episode: "Christopher Chance" |
2010–2011 | G.I. Joe: Renegades | General Abernathy | Voice; 3 episodes |
2011 | $h*! My Dad Says | Don Reger | Episode: "Well Suitored" |
2011 | Grey's Anatomy | Chuck Cain | Episode: "Poker Face" |
2012 | Crash & Burn | Boss McCoy | Television film |
2012 | CSI: NY | Paul Burton | Episode: "Flash Pop" |
2013 | Dallas | Ken Richards | 3 episodes |
2013–2014 | Raising Hope | Ralph | Episodes: "Burt Mitzvah: The Musical" and "Hot Dish" |
2015 | The AXI: The Avengers of Extreme Illusions | Steve the Mechanic | Episode: "The Mechanic" |
2016–2018 | Ash vs. Evil Dead
|
Brock Williams | 8 episodes Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2016) |
2017 | Eat, Play, Love | Dr. Isaac Monroe | Television film |
2018 | Fuller House | James | Episode: "Angels' Night Out" |
2018 | Bicycle | Jan | Television film |
2019 | Magnum P.I. | Russell Harlan | Episode #27: "The Man in the Secret Room" |
2019–2020 | Thunderbirds Are Go | Jeff Tracy | Voice, 3 episodes |
2021 | Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives | Himself | Episode: "Meat and Heat" (guest appearance) |
2022 | Guy's Grocery Games | Himself | Episode: "Craziest Day in Flavortown" (special guest appearance) |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Mitch Baker |
References
- ^ a b "Lee Majors Biography". Biography. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- ^ a b "The Early Years". Cyborg: Lee Majors Online. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Lee Majors Discusses Aging in Hollywood | HPL". YouTube.
- ^ "Lee Majors Stars in His First Movie". Nashua Telegraph. Associated Press. December 20, 1965. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Lee Majors will stay with series". The Morning Herald. Hagerstown, Maryland. United Press International. July 8, 1977. p. 21. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
- ^ "The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Collection" Archived April 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Time-Life. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ "The 'Six Million Dollar' Shark Lee Majors Refused to Jump". Hollywood Outbreak. June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "Lee Majors Is Game's Six Million Dollar Coach". TV Guide. September 6, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Raising Hope (TV Series 2010–2014)". IMDb.
- ^ "Majors to appear in new Dallas". Updated News. February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Braithwaite-Smith, Gavin (November 16, 2018). "Honda targets millennials with the help of retro toys". Motoring Research. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
- ^ a b "Lee Majors to star alongside Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy movie". Yahoo! Life. February 12, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Perry, Simon (May 8, 2019). "Lee Majors, 80, Reflects on His Famous Marriage to Farrah Fawcett: 'It Was Hard to Get Around'". People. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Kiner, Deb (June 25, 2021). "'I will not go gentle into that good night': The death of Farrah Fawcett in 2009". www.pennlive.com. Penn Live. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "Lee Majors is seeking a divorce". Sun Journal. Lewiston, Maine. Associated Press. September 22, 1994. p. 36. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Otiende, Scholastica (2021-11-21). "Faith Majors' biography: what is known about Lee Majors' wife?". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ "Lee Majors – Routine Surgery Saves Bionic Man's Life". Contactmusic.com. January 6, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Actor Majors purchases part of USFL Express". Lawrence Journal-World. Associated Press. April 13, 1983. p. 20. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Ten Questions with Jim Weatherly". Nashville Songwriters Foundation. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Junior, Chris M. (April 14, 2010). "Hop aboard the midnight train to Georgia with Gladys Knight & The Pips". Goldmine.
- ^ Mike Rowe (December 15, 2020). Mike Rowe is Nothing but a Sellout (Podcast). The Way I Heard It Episode 132. MRW Holdings. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Pollicino, Raul. "Lee Majors Come Again: Production Credits". Beastiemania. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
External links
- Lee Majors at IMDb
- Lee Majors at AllMovie
- Lee Majors at Rotten Tomatoes
- Lee Majors discography at Discogs