1939 -

Also known as Harvey Lee Yeary
American actor

Majors was born Harvey Lee Yeary. His father was killed in a work accident a month before he was born, and his mother died in a car accident when he was a toddler. He was adopted by his paternal aunt and uncle, who had an older biological son.

He did not learn he was adopted until he was 12 or 13 years old, and it deeply disturbed him.

He excelled in sports in high school and college, until a back injury made him change direction, and he graduated as a qualified teacher in PE and history. Moving to Los Angeles from Kentucky, with a young wife (they divorced a few years later) and son, he began working for the city parks and recreation department, where he came into contact with actors, who encouraged him to go into acting.

His big break came in 1965 when he won a major role in The Big Valley TV series. His first major file role was in Will Penny in 1968. In 1973 he won the part of Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man films and TV series. He has been married four times in all and has three more children.
[Last updated: 30 JUN 2004]

References

“Lee Majors.” [Includes portrait]. Available at: http://www.sixmilliondollarsite.co.uk/biographies/lee_majors.htm [Last visited: 20 June 2004]
Cubster. “The Unofficial Lee Majors Page: Biography.” [Includes portraits]. Available at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/shaft/24/bio/ [Last visited: 20 June 2004]

© Roger Ridley Fenton