Let’s talk about Lee Majors, a man who became a household name in the world of television. Picture this: the 1960s, and he’s making waves as Heath Barkley on the classic Western The Big Valley. Fast forward to the 1970s, and he’s transformed into the unstoppable Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man, becoming the husband of none other than Farrah Fawcett. The '80s saw him as the daring Hollywood stuntman and bounty hunter, Colt Seavers. And in more recent years, thanks to Ash vs. Evil Dead, a whole new generation got to experience the magic of Lee Majors. Honestly, calling him a Classic TV icon might be an understatement.
Now, here’s something fascinating. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Lee shares how he took a decade-long break after wrapping up The Fall Guy. “I went to Florida for 10 years,” he says with a chuckle. “I just needed that break, you know? While I was there, I only did a few small independent films. When I came back, I started doing more independent work and even some comedies like Weeds and Community. It felt like starting over, but in a good way. During those 10 years, I realized just how big The Six Million Dollar Man was. Traveling around the world, I met people from all walks of life who would approach me, complete strangers, just to say hello. It was incredibly touching and humbling.”
A Life Shaped by Loss and Determination
Lee Majors wasn’t always Lee Majors. He was born Harvey Lee Years on April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan. But life had other plans. By the time he was a year old, he found himself orphaned, though he wouldn’t know it for years. At the tender age of two, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Harvey and Mildred Yearly, and moved to Middlesboro, Kentucky. His life took a dramatic turn when, as a curious teenager, he discovered a pile of newspaper clippings in the attic. These articles revealed the tragic deaths of his biological parents. His father died in a steel mill accident before Lee was born, and a few years later, his mother was struck by a drunk driver while waiting to go to her nursing job. This discovery wasn’t something he shared with his adoptive parents for another five years, showing a level of introspection and solitude that would later define both his real-life personality and the characters he portrayed on screen.
Read also:Harris Father The Man Behind The Scenes You Need To Know
A Desire to Make Them Proud
This revelation about his biological parents ignited a fire within Lee. He was determined to make Harvey and Mildred proud, and he spent much of his life striving to do just that. It’s no wonder that many of the characters he played shared a similar introspective nature. They weren’t exactly the chatty type, but they had depth and substance, much like the man behind them. Lee Majors’ journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of making the most out of life, no matter the circumstances.
For a deeper dive into the incredible world of Lee Majors, keep scrolling.
Listen on Spotify to Closer Classic Film and TV as we celebrate Classic TV with behind-the-scenes coverage, celebrity interviews, news, and much more!
