Lee Majors, born Harvey Lee Yeary on April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan, became one of the most recognizable faces on American television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his rugged good looks and stoic demeanor, Majors starred in two iconic television series: The Six Million Dollar Man and The Fall Guy. These shows cemented his status as a cultural icon, particularly in the action and science fiction genres. Over the course of his career, Majors developed a persona that embodied heroism, masculinity, and perseverance, resonating deeply with audiences.

Early Life and Education

Majors’ early life was marked by tragedy. Both of his parents died in separate accidents before he turned two, and he was subsequently adopted by his uncle and aunt in Kentucky. Despite this, Majors excelled in sports, particularly football, during his high school years. His athleticism earned him a scholarship to Indiana University, where he initially planned to pursue a career in professional football. However, after suffering a severe back injury, Majors was forced to reconsider his future.

This injury ultimately led him to change course and focus on acting, moving to Los Angeles in the early 1960s. He began taking acting classes and soon caught the attention of Hollywood agents. His tall, athletic build and chiseled features made him a natural fit for leading roles, and his career began to take off quickly.

Early Acting Career

Majors’ first significant television role came in 1965 when he was cast in the western series The Big Valley, playing Heath Barkley, the illegitimate son of a powerful California ranch family. The series, which also starred Barbara Stanwyck and Richard Long, ran for four seasons and helped establish Majors as a major television star. His role as Heath Barkley allowed him to develop a steady fanbase, and his on-screen charisma made him a standout even among the strong ensemble cast.

His career gained momentum in the late 1960s, and he was soon cast in several notable projects. In 1968, Majors landed a role in the film Will Penny, starring alongside Charlton Heston. While the film did not achieve major box office success, it allowed Majors to demonstrate his versatility as an actor beyond television. However, it was his next television role that would propel him to the heights of stardom.

The Six Million Dollar Man

In 1973, Lee Majors starred in the television movie The Six Million Dollar Man, a science fiction story based on the novel Cyborg by Martin Caidin. Majors played Colonel Steve Austin, a former astronaut who is severely injured in a test flight crash. Austin is “rebuilt” with bionic implants that give him superhuman strength, speed, and vision. The success of the TV movie led to the development of a full series, which ran from 1974 to 1978.

As Steve Austin, Majors became a symbol of futuristic heroism. His portrayal of the bionic man, with his signature slow-motion running sequences and iconic sound effects, became embedded in pop culture. The series combined action, adventure, and cutting-edge special effects, and Majors’ calm, composed performance as Austin was central to the show’s success. The Six Million Dollar Man not only became a hit in the United States but also garnered a global fanbase, making Majors an international star.

The series also led to a spin-off show, The Bionic Woman, starring Lindsay Wagner, further expanding the “bionic” universe. Majors made numerous guest appearances on The Bionic Woman, reinforcing his iconic status as the face of the bionic franchise.

The Fall Guy

Following the success of The Six Million Dollar Man, Majors transitioned to another action-packed series, The Fall Guy, which aired from 1981 to 1986. Majors played Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. The series was created by Glen A. Larson, the prolific producer behind many popular TV shows of the era, including Battlestar Galactica and Magnum, P.I.

The Fall Guy combined humor, stunts, and crime-fighting, with Majors performing many of his own stunts, a point of pride for the athletic actor. The show’s premise allowed Majors to bring an element of fun to his tough-guy persona, making Colt Seavers a likable and relatable character. The series enjoyed a successful five-season run, and once again, Majors found himself at the center of a hit television show.

One of the most memorable aspects of The Fall Guy was its theme song, “The Unknown Stuntman,” sung by Majors himself. The song, which humorously described the life of a stuntman who does dangerous work while the stars get all the glory, became synonymous with the show and added to Majors’ appeal as a multi-talented entertainer.

Personal Life and Off-Screen Persona

Off-screen, Lee Majors became a tabloid fixture due to his high-profile relationships. In 1973, Majors married actress Farrah Fawcett, who would soon become a star in her own right with Charlie’s Angels. The couple was one of Hollywood’s most famous pairs during the 1970s, but their marriage faced significant challenges, partly due to the demands of their respective careers. They separated in 1979 and divorced in 1982, but their relationship remains one of the most talked-about celebrity marriages of the era.

Majors’ stoic and rugged image on screen mirrored his off-screen persona. He was known for being private, rarely engaging in Hollywood’s social scene, preferring instead to focus on his work and family. Over the years, Majors’ professional reputation grew as an actor who consistently delivered strong performances, particularly in roles that emphasized action and heroism.

Later Career and Legacy

Although Majors’ career peaked with The Six Million Dollar Man and The Fall Guy, he continued to work steadily in television and film well into the 1990s and 2000s. He made guest appearances on various shows, including Tour of Duty and Walker, Texas Ranger, and had a recurring role on Raising Hope in the 2010s. He also appeared in films such as Out Cold (2001) and Big Fat Liar (2002), showing that he could still captivate audiences with his presence.

Majors’ impact on television and pop culture cannot be overstated. His portrayal of Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man remains one of the most iconic roles in sci-fi television history, influencing later generations of action heroes and characters. The show’s success also paved the way for other bionic-themed media and helped establish Majors as a pioneer of the action genre on television.

Throughout his career, Lee Majors has embodied the archetype of the tough, unflappable hero, whether as a bionic man or a stuntman-turned-bounty hunter. His enduring popularity is a testament to his ability to connect with audiences across different genres and eras. Today, Majors remains a beloved figure in television history, celebrated for his contributions to some of the most memorable shows of the 1970s and 1980s.