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.
Having experienced the hard life, Harvey believes he has to be there for those who struggle to make ends meet because he knows the feeling of being less fortunate.
The life story of Harvey and Marjorie resembles that of the romantic movies.
The moment he first laid eyes on her in 1990 while she was trying to get to her front-row seat during one of his stand up shows, he said, “I’m sorry, I do not know who this is, but I’m going to marry her.” The comedian fulfilled this ‘promise’ some 15 years later when fate brought them together again.
Speaking of her love for Harvey, Marjorie told Essence, “I wish every woman can find a soulmate like I’ve been blessed to find. This is really my best friend.” Harvey never misses a chance to tell her how much he loves and how much she means to him. In fact, the whole world was a witness of a touching confession he made on his show on Mother’s Day in 2015.
Marjorie had no idea what her husband was about to do and she just looked at him all puzzled.
“I wanted to tell you..from the moment I saw you … the first thing I said to you ever was …‘I’m gonna marry you one day,'” Harvey started his confession. He then continued his emotional speech by saying that he would never be where he is today without her by his side. She makes his days and his life full and is the reason for his joy and happiness.
“You made my children comfortable and I existed before you and now I live. 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 an amazing big family.
Marjorie couldn’t stop tears falling down her face. Listening to the man who means the world to her saying such touching and heartwarming words on the national television was a bold move.