Broderick Stephen Harvey, known as Steve Harvey, born January 17, 1957, is an American comedian, actor, author, television host, and radio personality. He rose from working-class roots in Cleveland, Ohio, to become one of America’s most recognized entertainers.
His journey from homelessness to a $200 million empire is one of the most inspiring stories in show business.
Who is Steve Harvey?
Steve Harvey is a household name in American entertainment. Per IMDb, his full birth name is Broderick Stephen Harvey, Sr. He first gained national attention through his sharp observational humor and stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s.
Harvey later expanded his reach across television, radio, publishing, and business. He is best known for hosting Family Feud since 2010, a role that made him a prime-time television staple. He also hosts the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show and the courtroom comedy series Judge Steve Harvey on ABC.
He is a seven-time Daytime Emmy Award winner, a two-time Marconi Award winner, and a 14-time NAACP Image Award winner. Few entertainers have achieved success across so many different fields simultaneously.
Early Life of Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey was born in Welch, West Virginia, and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of five children. His father, Jesse Harvey, worked as a coal miner, and his mother, Eloise Vera Harvey, was a Sunday school teacher.
The family was not wealthy, but faith was central to their household. Harvey found humor early in life as a coping mechanism and a way to connect with others. His natural comedic instincts were evident from childhood.
He graduated from Glenville High School in Cleveland in 1974. He later attended West Virginia University, where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and also spent time at Kent State University. He did not complete a degree at either institution.
Before breaking into comedy, Harvey held a wide variety of jobs. He worked as a boxer, a mailman, an insurance salesman, a carpet cleaner, an autoworker, and a car salesman. Those years of struggle shaped the perseverance that would define his career.
Steve Harvey Age
Steve Harvey was born on January 17, 1957. Since his birth month (January) is before June, Steve Harvey is 69 years old as of June 2, 2026.
Steve Harvey Ethnicity and Nationality
Steve Harvey is American by nationality. He is of African American ethnicity. He identifies as a born-again Christian, and his faith has been a central theme throughout his public life and work.
Steve Harvey Height and Weight
Steve Harvey stands at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighs approximately 86 kg (196 lbs). His tall, commanding presence has become a signature part of his on-screen identity.
He is also well known for his bold fashion choices. His flashy suits and signature mustache have made him a recognizable style icon in American pop culture.
Steve Harvey Education
Harvey attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, graduating in 1974. He subsequently enrolled at West Virginia University and later attended Kent State University. However, he left college before earning a degree.
His self-made success story proves that formal education was not the defining factor in his rise. Practical experience, talent, and relentless hustle built his career from the ground up.
Steve Harvey Career
Steve Harvey began his professional comedy career in 1985 with his first stand-up performance in Cleveland, Ohio. That first show set everything in motion.
Stand-Up Comedy and Early Television
Harvey quickly gained traction on the stand-up circuit throughout the late 1980s. He hosted Showtime at the Apollo, which gave him a major national platform. His observational humor and high-energy delivery earned him a loyal following.
In the early 1990s, Harvey participated in the Kings of Comedy Tour alongside Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac. That tour was later turned into Spike Lee’s film The Original Kings of Comedy (2000), further cementing his place in comedy history. Harvey performed his last stand-up gig in 2012.
The Steve Harvey Show (1996–2002)
Harvey’s television breakthrough came in 1996 with The Steve Harvey Show on The WB network. The sitcom ran for six seasons until 2002. It made him a household name and earned him four consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002). The show also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Radio Career and the Morning Show
Harvey launched his radio career in 1996 with a morning show on Chicago’s WGCI. He started The Steve Harvey Morning Show in 2005 after it joined Premiere Networks, the syndication arm of iHeartMedia. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the show now reaches approximately 7 million listeners weekly and earns Harvey an estimated $20 million annually.
The show remains one of the most listened-to urban radio programs in the United States. Additionally, Harvey released the comedy album Steve Harvey Live: Down South Somewhere in 1997.
Family Feud and Continued Television Success
Harvey became the host of Family Feud in 2010, a move that transformed his career for a second time. Under his hosting, Family Feud became one of the top-rated game shows in American television. He also hosts Celebrity Family Feud and Family Feud Africa, which launched in South Africa in 2020 and quickly became the number one show on the continent.
In 2021, Harvey launched Judge Steve Harvey on ABC, an arbitration-based courtroom comedy that drew strong ratings. Furthermore, he hosted Little Big Shots and its spinoff Little Big Shots: Forever Young. In 2019, he moved his daytime talk show to Facebook Watch, launching Steve on Watch in January 2020.
Books, Business, and Steve Harvey Global
Harvey is also a best-selling author. His book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, published in March 2009, became a major bestseller and was later adapted into a film. He followed it with Straight Talk, No Chaser (2010) and Jump, Take the Leap of Faith to Achieve Your Life of Abundance (2016).
In 2017, Harvey founded Steve Harvey Global, an entertainment company that houses his production company East 112 and various other business ventures. The company covers film production, product licensing, fashion, and investments. Together with his wife Marjorie, he also co-founded The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, a nonprofit focused on youth education and mentoring.
On May 13, 2013, Harvey received the 2,497th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Radio, presented at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard. Speakers at the ceremony included Ellen DeGeneres and Dr. Phil McGraw.
Steve Harvey Wife
Steve Harvey has been married three times. His current wife is Marjorie Harvey (born Marjorie Bridges), whom he married in June 2007. It is the third marriage for both of them.
Harvey first married Marcia Harvey in 1981. Their marriage ended in 1994. He then married Mary Shackelford in 1996, and that union ended in 2005. During a 2023 podcast appearance, Harvey revealed that after his 2005 divorce, he had only $1,700 left in his bank account.
Steve and Marjorie first met in 1990 but split shortly after. They reconnected in 2005 and married two years later. Harvey has credited Marjorie with transforming his personal life. As of 2026, they have been married for nearly 19 years. Their marriage remains one of the most celebrated relationships in American entertainment.
Marjorie Harvey runs a fashion and lifestyle blog called The Lady Loves Couture. She is also co-founder of The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation.
Steve Harvey Children
Steve Harvey is the father of seven children across his three marriages, including three adopted children from Marjorie’s previous relationship.
With his first wife Marcia, Harvey has twin daughters Brandi Harvey and Karli Harvey, born on August 20, 1982, and a son, Broderick Harvey Jr., born on April 29, 1991. With his second wife Mary, Harvey has a son, Wynton Harvey. Additionally, when Harvey married Marjorie, he adopted her three children: Morgan Harvey, Jason Harvey, and Lori Harvey. Lori Harvey has become a well-known model and public figure in her own right.
The family is large, blended, and close-knit. Harvey has spoken openly about the challenges and joys of building a blended household. Family remains the center of his public identity.
Steve Harvey Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steve Harvey’s estimated net worth is $200 million as of 2026. He earns approximately $45 million annually from his various television, radio, and business ventures.
His income streams include approximately $10 million per year from hosting Family Feud and an estimated $20 million annually from The Steve Harvey Morning Show. Additional revenue comes from Judge Steve Harvey, book royalties, the Steve Harvey Global business empire, and product licensing deals.
Harvey’s financial journey is remarkable. He once lived in his 1976 Ford Tempo for approximately three years in the late 1980s, surviving on $50 a week while pursuing his comedy career. The contrast between that period and his current wealth is extraordinary.
Steve Harvey Social Media
Steve Harvey maintains an active presence across multiple social media platforms. His official Instagram handle is @iamsteveharveytv, where he has over 11 million followers. He has approximately 34.7 million followers on Facebook and around 6.2 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). His YouTube channel has over 2.31 million subscribers.
His combined social media reach exceeds 53 million across all platforms, reflecting his massive and loyal fanbase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Steve Harvey’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steve Harvey’s estimated net worth is $200 million as of 2026. He earns approximately $45 million per year from television, radio, and business ventures.
How old is Steve Harvey?
Steve Harvey was born on January 17, 1957. He is 69 years old as of June 2, 2026.
Who is Steve Harvey’s wife?
Steve Harvey’s current wife is Marjorie Harvey. They married in June 2007 and have been together for nearly 19 years as of 2026.
What is Steve Harvey’s height?
Steve Harvey stands at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall.
Where was Steve Harvey born?
Steve Harvey was born in Welch, West Virginia, USA, on January 17, 1957. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.
What is Steve Harvey’s real name?
Steve Harvey’s full birth name is Broderick Stephen Harvey, Sr. He was named after actor Broderick Crawford of the TV series Highway Patrol.
The Bottom Line
Steve Harvey’s life is a remarkable testament to what perseverance, faith, and talent can accomplish. From sleeping in his car in the late 1980s to building a $200 million entertainment empire, his journey has inspired millions of people across the world.
He has excelled as a stand-up comedian, sitcom star, radio host, game show host, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Very few entertainers have achieved sustained success across so many different fields over such a long period. His seven Daytime Emmy Awards and 14 NAACP Image Awards speak to the consistency of his excellence.
We hope you enjoyed reading about Steve Harvey. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!