Cool News
Father Geek and Uncapie say farewell to the real Hercules
Father Geek has some sad news this evening... Steve Reeves, star of many European-made action-adventure epics of the 50s and
'60s whose world-class physique won him the signature role as the
mythical demi-god Hercules, died at 74 on
Monday at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California of
complications from a lymphoma cancer, which had been diagnosed about
eight weeks ago.
A bodybuilder his entire life, Reeves won the Mr. America title in 1947, which
he followed with Mr. World and Mr. Universe titles in 48 and a second Mr. Universe win in 1950.
His impressively packaged 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame attracted the attention of European
filmmakers, who cast him in 18 films before he retired from acting in
1969 to raise championship horses in Southern California.
In 1959, Reeves became one of the world's biggest box office draws
based on the huge success of "Hercules", his third motion picture and its sequel
"Hercules Unchained". He had appeared on several American TV shows before turning to the big screen.
By 1967, Reeves was the highest-paid actor working in Europe. He had already turned down the role of James Bond in Dr. No several years before because it would have required a 20% pay cut. He also rejected the role of "the man with no name" offered to him by his friend Sergio Leone because the payday would have been half his usual take-home. He
retired in comfort to his ranch outside San Diego in 1969 at the youthful age of 43 after appearing in the tough Spagetti Western
"A Long Ride From Hell" which he also wrote.
He continued following his rigid fitness regimen into his later
years, championing drug-free bodybuilding through his Steve Reeves
International Society Web site and writing a workout guide, Building
the Classic Physique the Natural Way. He also wrote the best seller Power Walking.
As a kid growing up in San Antonio Father Geek caught most of Reeves Fantasy films, along with Harryhausen's they helped to whisk me away from the everyday terror of the era's Cold War. San Antonio with its 5 military bases was a major target and life was pretty tense down there from the mid-50s thru the Cuban Missile Crisis. Later on, Harry's Mother who loved Steve Reeves collected all the movie stuff we could find that featured him; lobby cards, 1-sheet posters, stills, even a standee from "Goliath and the Barbarians". I will really miss this icon from my youth.
Now for some words from Uncapie on a rare appearance outside the hallowed halls of AICN's Talkbacks...
he followed with Mr. World and Mr. Universe titles in 48 and a second Mr. Universe win in 1950.
His impressively packaged 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame attracted the attention of European
filmmakers, who cast him in 18 films before he retired from acting in
1969 to raise championship horses in Southern California.
In 1959, Reeves became one of the world's biggest box office draws
based on the huge success of "Hercules", his third motion picture and its sequel
"Hercules Unchained". He had appeared on several American TV shows before turning to the big screen.
By 1967, Reeves was the highest-paid actor working in Europe. He had already turned down the role of James Bond in Dr. No several years before because it would have required a 20% pay cut. He also rejected the role of "the man with no name" offered to him by his friend Sergio Leone because the payday would have been half his usual take-home. He
retired in comfort to his ranch outside San Diego in 1969 at the youthful age of 43 after appearing in the tough Spagetti Western
"A Long Ride From Hell" which he also wrote.
He continued following his rigid fitness regimen into his later
years, championing drug-free bodybuilding through his Steve Reeves
International Society Web site and writing a workout guide, Building
the Classic Physique the Natural Way. He also wrote the best seller Power Walking.
As a kid growing up in San Antonio Father Geek caught most of Reeves Fantasy films, along with Harryhausen's they helped to whisk me away from the everyday terror of the era's Cold War. San Antonio with its 5 military bases was a major target and life was pretty tense down there from the mid-50s thru the Cuban Missile Crisis. Later on, Harry's Mother who loved Steve Reeves collected all the movie stuff we could find that featured him; lobby cards, 1-sheet posters, stills, even a standee from "Goliath and the Barbarians". I will really miss this icon from my youth.
Now for some words from Uncapie on a rare appearance outside the hallowed halls of AICN's Talkbacks...
He
retired in comfort to his ranch outside San Diego in 1969 at the youthful age of 43 after appearing in the tough Spagetti Western
"A Long Ride From Hell" which he also wrote.
He continued following his rigid fitness regimen into his later
years, championing drug-free bodybuilding through his Steve Reeves
International Society Web site and writing a workout guide, Building
the Classic Physique the Natural Way. He also wrote the best seller Power Walking.
As a kid growing up in San Antonio Father Geek caught most of Reeves Fantasy films, along with Harryhausen's they helped to whisk me away from the everyday terror of the era's Cold War. San Antonio with its 5 military bases was a major target and life was pretty tense down there from the mid-50s thru the Cuban Missile Crisis. Later on, Harry's Mother who loved Steve Reeves collected all the movie stuff we could find that featured him; lobby cards, 1-sheet posters, stills, even a standee from "Goliath and the Barbarians". I will really miss this icon from my youth.
Now for some words from Uncapie on a rare appearance outside the hallowed halls of AICN's Talkbacks...
years, championing drug-free bodybuilding through his Steve Reeves
International Society Web site and writing a workout guide, Building
the Classic Physique the Natural Way. He also wrote the best seller Power Walking.
As a kid growing up in San Antonio Father Geek caught most of Reeves Fantasy films, along with Harryhausen's they helped to whisk me away from the everyday terror of the era's Cold War. San Antonio with its 5 military bases was a major target and life was pretty tense down there from the mid-50s thru the Cuban Missile Crisis. Later on, Harry's Mother who loved Steve Reeves collected all the movie stuff we could find that featured him; lobby cards, 1-sheet posters, stills, even a standee from "Goliath and the Barbarians". I will really miss this icon from my youth.
Now for some words from Uncapie on a rare appearance outside the hallowed halls of AICN's Talkbacks...
Chief Uncapie is saddened by this news. Steve Reeves, who portrayed
"Hercules" in the Italian Sword And Sandal films in the sixties, has died of
lymphatic cancer.
Born in 1926, he joined the army where he began to develop his physique.
After taking first place in many body building competitions, a talent scout
discovered him and the rest was history.
Some of the notable films he was in were, "Morgan the Pirate", "David And
Goliath", "Romulus And Remus" aka "Duel of the Titans" with longtime fellow
body builder friend, Gordon Scott, "Last Days Of Pompeii", "The Trojan Horse"
and of course, what he is most remembered for, "Hercules" and "Hercules
Unchained."
I was lucky to have met the man a year ago at the Hollywood Collector's Show
in Los Angeles. He was in incredible shape for his age. All natural, no
steroids like some of today's bodybuilders. A real gentleman and had much
sage advice to offer to young people. Hero, best fits his description.
Mr. Reeves was the best Hercules to be portrayed on the screen and he will be
missed. He was 74.
Chief Uncapie
-
+ Expand All
-
Don't ever get old, kids...
-
Whenever I thought of Hercules, the only person I thought of was Steve Reeves (not the disastrous Lou Ferrigno movie that was made in the early to mid 80's). I still feel compelled to watch "Hercules" and "Hercules Unchained" whenever they're on TV. He will be missed...
-
You were a hero to all of us; now Olympus waits for you.
-
Sad news, great story.
-
in the title song of the Rocky Horror Picture Show....
-
While growing up in York, Pa. I had a friend whose father owned York Barbell and was a former champion bodybuilder. He was friends with Mr. Reeves who would visit from time to time and work out. One Saturday he was in town and he took Kenny and I to the movies. What a treat sitting next to Hercules which had been released about a year before. Nice, gentle man...wonderful memory.
-
Fame is such a weird, sometimes wonderful, but mostly weird thing. Reeves was one of the most popular actors of his day, yet I haven't thought of him for so long, I didn't even know he was alive. Yet, when the word goes out about his death, suddenly I'm having trouble thinking about anything else. I wonder sometimes about today's stars. Who will be ones we haven't thought of for years, that suddenly come back to us because of death. I'll see you around, Steve. Leash that Cerebus for me, will ya.
-
...this sucks. I'm gonna have to watch the mst3k tapes of the hercules movies. They were the best ones mst ever did.
-
A true hero has been lost to us this week.I live in the UK and you could search the nation's video shops high and low and never find a Steve Reeves movie;nor are his films shown on TV yet for a period in the 60s he was one of the biggest box office draws in the world beating even John Wayne.I was a fan back in those days and remain so to this day.As Shakespeare said of one of his heroes:"He was a man for all that,we shall not look upon his like again......2
-
...that's not too abysmal...yes, yes, I know, the other guy beat me to it. But hey, he wouldn't live on in song if it didn't get repeated, eh?
-
The line is:
"Or if you want something visual,
That's not too abysmal,
We could take in an old Steve Reeves movie."
from the song "Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
And let's not forget the amusing job Joel and the 'Bots did when they watched Reeves' movies. Who here remembers, "Pants!"
PopeZ -
I always hoped to meet Steve Reeves in person and am truly saddened to know that I will never have the opportunity. He was the first movie actor who was literally larger than life! He will be missed.
Image, Criterion! Get those Steve Reeves remastered DVD's out now! -
The Gods of Greece are cruel!! In time all men shall learn to live without them!!
-
Tis true, this is very bad news, Uncapie, and thanks for your tribute. I remember seeing pictures of Steve Reeves in his youth, and cursing the gods for not making me that handsome and in shape. I remember a story about Sylvester Stallone, who went to see Steve Reeves at the movies when he was a teenager, and came out thinking "are you going to be a bum all your life, or are you going to be like Steve Reeves?" Ditto, Sly.
-
It sure seems like Reeves missed out on some great roles. Bond? Man w/No Name. Jesus, he must have been kicking himself over that later on.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts