Steve Reeves

Steve Reeves

Steve Reeves is regarded by many as the greatest bodybuilder of all time for his legendary symmetrical physique, visionary bodybuilding techniques, dedication and love for the sport through which he won five bodybuilding titles between 1946 and 1950. His peak measurements were: 6'1" at 216 lbs. with 18½" arms, 52" chest, and a 29" waist, partly depicting his creation: "The Classic Physique." Steve Reeves was born in Montana in 1926, yet by age 10 moved to Oakland, California where he first became captivated with the art of bodybuilding at age 16, placing pioneer John Grimek as his top role model. After two years of bodybuilding Steve's body weight reached 203 lbs by high school graduation, but was he then inducted into the Army. He was assigned to Company A of the 25th Division and was sent to the front lines in the Philippines where he endured to continue his bodybuilding training, becoming known as "The Shape" among his fellow GIs. After WWII had ended he was part of the occupational forces sent to Japan and was stationed there from September 1945 to September 1946. After his service ended, he entered and won several bodybuilding championships becoming: "Mr. Pacific Coast" (1946), "Mr. Western America" (1947), "Mr. America" (1947), "Mr. World" (1948) and "Mr. Universe" (1950) announcing his retirement from bodybuilding competition that very night after he won. From that point onward Reeves set his sights on the silver screen as well as the small screen. He made several appearances on variety shows of the early-to-mid 1950s and non-starring roles during 1954 in two films: Athena (1954) starring Debbie Reynolds and Ed Wood's Jail Bait (1954). In 1957, he had been called to Italy to play the lead role Hercules in "Le Fatiche di Ercole" which was filmed during the summer and autumn of 1957 with a USA premiere in 1959. The tremendous worldwide success of "Hercules," (the USA title), led to a sequel and many other Italian epic films many based on heroes played by Reeves. These roles included Romulus, Phillipides, Captain Henry Morgan, Glaucus, and Sandokan. With 20 film/TV acting credits to his name by 1968, Steve Reeves retired from film and returned to California to live on his ranch, remaining committed to his lifelong belief in natural, drug-free bodybuilding through his writings and personal appearances. Steve Reeves has served as a great inspiration to many bodybuilders such as Sylvester Stallone and Lou Ferrigno, and millions of others the world over for all that he was: a genuine hero, a true man, an authentic gentleman, the first (and to many fans the only true) Hercules, and nothing less than the greatest bodybuilder of all time.

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Known For

Filmography

2021

The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago'
The Making of 'Rocky vs. Drago'
as Hercules (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 10/30/2021

2019

Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic
Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 4/14/2019

2018

Generation Iron 3
Generation Iron 3
as Himself (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 12/7/2018

1968

A Long Ride from Hell
A Long Ride from Hell
as Mike Sturges
Movie - Released: 4/5/1968

1964

The Pirates of Malaysia
The Pirates of Malaysia
as Sandokan
Movie - Released: 10/16/1964

1963

Sandokan the Great
Sandokan the Great
as Sandokan
Movie - Released: 11/19/1963

1962

The Avenger
The Avenger
as Enea
Movie - Released: 11/28/1962
The Slave
The Slave
as Randus
Movie - Released: 8/24/1962

1961

Duel of the Titans
Duel of the Titans
as Romulus
Movie - Released: 12/6/1961
The Thief of Baghdad
The Thief of Baghdad
as Karim
Movie - Released: 3/23/1961
The Trojan Horse
The Trojan Horse
as Aeneas
Movie - Released: 10/26/1961

1960

Morgan, the Pirate
Morgan, the Pirate
as Henry Morgan
Movie - Released: 11/17/1960

1959

The Last Days of Pompeii
The Last Days of Pompeii
as Glaucus Leto
Movie - Released: 11/12/1959
Hercules Unchained
Hercules Unchained
as Ercole (Hercules)
Movie - Released: 2/14/1959
The Giant of Marathon
The Giant of Marathon
as Phillipides
Movie - Released: 12/3/1959
Goliath and the Barbarians
Goliath and the Barbarians
as Emiliano
Movie - Released: 6/30/1959
The White Warrior
The White Warrior
as Agi / Hadji Murad, the White Warrior
Movie - Released: 6/21/1959

1958

Hercules
Hercules
as Ercole (Hercules)
Movie - Released: 2/20/1958

1954

Jail Bait
Jail Bait
as Lt Bob Lauwrence
Movie - Released: 5/12/1954
Athena
Athena
as Ed Perkins
Movie - Released: 11/4/1954

1953

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
as Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 7/14/1953

1950

Riviera Dream
Riviera Dream
as Steve Reeves
Movie - Released: 1/1/1950
TV
Stars Over Hollywood
TV - Released: 9/6/1950
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
as Foley
TV - Released: 10/12/1950

1949

Movie
Kimbar of the Jungle
as Kimbar
Movie - Released: 7/19/1949

1948

Le Plus Bel Homme du monde
Le Plus Bel Homme du monde
as Self
Movie - Released: 8/26/1948