Sadly, we acknowledge the recent passing of yet another irreplaceable icon of the movies -- the legendary muscleman Steve Reeves. What can you say about such a major figure of world cinema? Here was a man who appeared in less than 20 films during a career that spanned only a bit more than a decade, and yet, perhaps only Greta Garbo was more universally recognized. Out of deep respect we offer here just a short list of his more notable accomplishments and honors:
1. He was a Mr. America (1947).
2. He was a Mr. Universe (1950).
3. He made his film debut in an Ed Wood film (Jail Bait -- 1954).
4. He co-starred in a Jane Powell musical (Athena -- 1954).
5. Everybody on earth saw him as Hercules in 1957.
6. At least half the people on earth returned for Hercules Unchained in 1959.
7. He starred in a remake of The Thief of Baghdad (1960).
8. He starred in a remake of The Last Days of Pompeii (1960).
9. His name cropped up in a Rocky Horror Picture Show lyric.
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And for a lot of people he was, quite simply . . .
The fantasy object of all time. |