Stephen Boyd (1931-1977)

biography

Born William Millar in Northern Ireland on July 4, 1931 (some sources suggest he was born in 1927 or 1928), actor Stephen Boyd hailed from a large family. In school, he studied bookkeeping but harbored a desire to become an actor. Using his mother's maiden name, beginning in his teens Boyd acted on stage and in radio, and in his 20's he made his way to London, where he was discovered by Sir Michael Redgrave while appearing in a stage production. Boyd's first film role was a bit part in the British romantic comedy Lilacs in the Spring (1954; with Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle). The size of his film roles grew quickly in such British films as The Man Who Never Was (1956; with Clifton Webb and Gloria Grahame), A Hill in Korea (1956; with George Baker and Robert Shaw), and Seven Waves Away (1957; with Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling, and Lloyd Nolan). In 1956, Boyd signed with 20th Century Fox. His first U.S. film for the studio was the romance Island in the Sun (1957; with James Mason, Joan Fontaine, and Dorothy Dandridge).

The zenith of Boyd's career was winning a Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ben-Hur (1959; with Charlton Heston and Martha Scott). Although he starred in several other big-budget pictures, such as Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962; with Doris Day and Jimmy Durante) and The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964; with Sophia Loren and Alec Guinness), nearly all proved to be box-office failures and did nothing for Boyd's career. By the late 1960s, Boyd had moved on to lower-budgeted European films and made-for-television movies.

the films of stephen boyd

The Man Who Never Was (1956)

Seven Waves Away (1957)

Island in the Sun (1957)

The Bravados (1958)

The Night Heaven Fell (1958)

Woman Obsessed (1959)

Ben-Hur (1959)

The Best of Everything (1959)

Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)

The Inspector (1962)

The Third Secret (1964)

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

Fantastic Voyage (1966)

The Oscar (1966)

The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967)

Assignment K (1968)

Kill! (1971)

A Man Called Noon (1973)

later years

Much of Stephen Boyd's personal life remains a mystery. Wedded twice, each of Boyd's marriages were short-lived. His first marriage to actress Mariella di Sarzana in 1958 ended after a few weeks. Boyd remarried in 1977, this time to his personal assistant. Sadly, Stephen Boyd died suddenly of a massive heart attack while playing golf at a Country Club in Northridge, California, on June 2, 1977, at age 45. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth.

stephen boyd films available from movies unlimited

TELEVISION
Hawaii Five-O: The Tenth Season [DVD](1977) DVD
All 24 episodes from season 10--including "Up the Rebels," "Deep Cover," "The Big Aloha," "Invitation to Murder," and "A Death in the Family"--are featured in a six-disc set. 19 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH). **24 episodes on 6 discs. 19 3/4 hrs.**

FILM
Lilacs In The Spring [DVD](1954) DVD
In WWII London, a dancer (Anna Neagle) is injured during an air raid and dreams about which of two suitors she should marry. Her dreams become fantasies, with her playing royal courtesan Neil Gwynn, a young Queen Victoria, and her own mother. Errol Flynn is the song-and-dance man who woos her mother. With David Farrar; look for an unbilled Sean Connery (his film debut) in a dance scene. AKA: "Let's Make Up." 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Diana Dors Comedy Double Feature [DVD] DVD
British blonde bombshell Diana Dors shines in this uproarious double feature. First, Dors is a rich heiress engaged to Donald Sinden. The couple encounters trouble when Sinden becomes the reluctant caretaker of a pet alligator and begins to form a bond with a comely zookeeper (Jeannie Carson). Will Dors issue an ultimatum in "An Alligator Named Daisy" (1955)? Then, "Value for Money" (1955) stars John Gregson as a young man who inherits his father's fortune, but his miserly leanings also imparted to him by his dad threaten his relationship with his sensible sweetheart (Susan Stephen). He then begins to take up with the gold-digging Dors. Dors is all too happy to spend Gregson's money, but when it threatens the town, he must learn to be more practical. 182 min. total. Standard/Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
The Man Who Never Was [DVD](1956) DVD
Amazing true-life WWII thriller stars Clifton Webb as a British intelligence officer who conceives an elaborate hoax to dupe the Nazis, planting plans for a false Allied invasion of Greece on a British corpse recovered by the enemy. Stephen Boyd is the German spy trying to verify the dead man's fabricated identity. With Robert Flemyng, Gloria Grahame. 103 min.
A Hill In Korea [DVD](1956) DVD
Atmospheric war story about a British Army patrol sent to a Korean village populated by enemy soldiers. Making their way to the town at night, the patrol encounters danger as they attempt to carry out their mission. With George Baker, Stephen Boyd, Harry Andrews, Robert Shaw, and Michael Caine (his film debut). 81 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Island In The Sun [DVD](1957) DVD
Political dealings, forbidden romances and racial tension threaten to explode on a peaceful West Indies island in this steamy drama based on Alec Waugh's novel. The stellar cast includes Harry Belafonte, Joan Collins, Dorothy Dandridge, Joan Fontaine, James Mason, and Michael Rennie. 119 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 4.0, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; documentary; theatrical trailer.
The Best Of British War Cinema [DVD] DVD
A foreign correspondent, an old salt, and his daughter unite to sabotage a U-boat base, in the British WWII thriller "The Day Will Dawn" (1942). With Deborah Kerr, Hugh Williams. Michael Wilding, Roland Culver, and James Mason carry out a "Secret Mission" (1942). With Williams, Carla Lehmann. A pilot risks discovery while in occupied France, in the fact-based "The Flemish Farm" (1943). With Clive Brook, Jane Baxter. The Battle of Arnhem is re-enacted in the docudrama "Theirs Is the Glory" (1946). Reporters Stanley Maxted, Allan Wood play themselves. A prize cow fuels the comic action of "Appointment with Venus" (1951). David Niven, Glynis Johns star. AKA: "Island Rescue." In "Seven Thunders" (1957), British POWs lay low in France. Stephen Boyd, Anna Gaylor star. AKA: "The Beasts Of Marseilles." Dirk Bogarde falls for a Japanese girl, in "The Wind Cannot Read" (1958). Yoko Tani, Ronald Lewis co-star. A British officer and the Dutch team to lift a diamond stash, in "Operation Amsterdam" (1959). With Peter Finch, Eva Bartok. Five-disc set also includes "Unpublished Story" and "Two Thousand Women." 10 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
The Night Heaven Fell [DVD](1958) DVD
Brigitte Bardot is a young woman living in a convent who helps con artist Stephen Boyd elude authorities while she is vacationing in Spain. The two start a steamy relationship, but if Bardot only knew Boyd killed her uncle and seduced her aunt, things would be different. Alida Valli and Cantinflas also star; Roger Vadim directs. 91 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; theatrical trailers; filmography. In French with English subtitles.
The Brigitte Bardot Classic Collection [DVD] DVD
In "Plucking the Daisy" (1956), Brigitte Bardot stars as a Paris schoolgirl who pens a steamy best-selling novel and is subsequently sent to a convent when her father finds out. But not even her new home can keep her out of trouble, and soon she is teasing men throughout Europe before deciding to become a stripper. With Daniel Gelin, Robert Hirsch. AKA: "Mademoiselle Striptease," "Please, Mr. Balzac." Three-disc set also includes "The Night Heaven Fell" and "Don Juan" (1973).
The Bravados [DVD](1958) DVD
Powerful drama of frontier justice stars Gregory Peck as the man out to catch four outlaws he believes were responsible for assaulting and killing his wife, only to learn that his vigilante actions come at a terrible cost. Thoughtful Western co-stars Stephen Boyd, Joan Collins; look for Lee Van Cleef and "Curly Joe" De Rita as a hangman. 99 min. Standard and Widescreen;
Western 4-Pack [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set includes "In Old Arizona," "Drums Along the Mohawk," "Buffalo Bill," and "The Bravados."
Ben-Hur (50th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray](1959)
Eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, went to this classic adaptation of the Lew Wallace story of Palestine in the time of Christ. Charlton Heston stars as a Jewish prince sent to the galleys after being falsely accused of trying to murder a Roman governor. His road to vengeance against Roman nobleman Stephen Boyd, the childhood friend who betrayed him, leads Heston to compete in a dangerous chariot race, depicted in one of cinema's most breathtaking action sequences. With Martha Scott, Hugh Griffith; William Wyler directs. This limited-edition collector's edition includes a hardbound book and a reproduction of Charlton Heston's personal diary. 3 1/2 hrs. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. Three-disc set.
Ben-Hur (50th Anniversary) [DVD](1959) DVD
Eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, went to this classic adaptation of the Lew Wallace story of Palestine in the time of Christ. Charlton Heston stars as a Jewish prince sent to the galleys after being falsely accused of trying to murder a Roman governor. His road to vengeance against Roman nobleman Stephen Boyd, the childhood friend who betrayed him, leads Heston to compete in a dangerous chariot race, depicted in one of cinema's most breathtaking action sequences. With Martha Scott, Hugh Griffith; William Wyler directs. 3 2/3 hrs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; audio commentary; isolated music score. Two-disc set.
Ben-Hur (Four-Disc Collector's Edition) [DVD](1959) DVD
Eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, went to this classic adaptation of the Lew Wallace story of Palestine in the time of Christ. Charlton Heston stars as a Jewish prince sent to the galleys after being falsely accused of trying to murder a Roman governor. His road to vengeance against Roman nobleman Stephen Boyd, the childhood friend who betrayed him, leads Heston to compete in a dangerous chariot race, depicted in one of cinema's most breathtaking action sequences. With Martha Scott, Hugh Griffith; William Wyler directs. 3 3/4 hrs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary; documentaries; featurette; newsreel footage; outtakes; theatric
The Best Of Everything [DVD](1959) DVD
Follow the tumultuous affairs of a group of women trying to juggle romantic fulfillment with a career in New York's publishing industry in this glossy, soap-styled drama. Diane Baker, Martha Hyer, Hope Lange and Suzy Parker are the ladies; Stephen Boyd, Robert Evans and Louis Jourdan are among the men in their lives; and Joan Crawford plays the no-nonsense boss. 121 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital Surround, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer; newsreel footage.
The Doris Day Collection [DVD] DVD
Eight-disc set includes "Young Man with a Horn," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Calamity Jane," "Love Me or Leave Me," "The Pajama Game," "Please Don't Eat the Daisies," "Billy Rose's Jumbo," and "The Glass Bottom Boat."
The Fall Of The Roman Empire (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) [DVD](1964) DVD
Epic drama set against the grandeur and decadence of 2nd-century Rome stars Stephen Boyd as the adopted scion of emperor Alec Guinness and Christopher Plummer as Guinness's greedy son, who has the ruler poisoned and claims the throne over rightful heir Boyd, a move that threatens to plunge Rome into chaos. The stellar cast includes Sophia Loren, James Mason, Anthony Quinn. 185 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish; audio commentary; 1964 promotional film; filmographies; photo gallery; featurettes; theatrical trailer. Two-disc set.
The Third Secret [DVD](1964) DVD
To the shock of everyone who knows him, a London psychologist apparently takes his own life. His daughter, however, suspects foul play and launches an investigation into his death with the help of one of her father's former patients. This suspense-laden British drama stars Stephen Boyd, Richard Attenborough, and Judi Dench. 103 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
Genghis Khan [DVD](1965) DVD
This epic retelling of the saga of ruthless Mongol ruler features Omar Sharif in the title role, tutored in the arts of conquest by military leader Jamuga (Stephen Boyd). Separating to form his own band of warriors in China, Khan grows in stature as a leader by fighting off assaults from his former mentor. James Mason, Eli Wallach also star in this exciting costume adventure. 126 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Fantastic Voyage (Special Edition) [DVD](1966) DVD
Academy Award-winning, special effects-filled adventure follows an expedition through the human body by a team of miniaturized scientists. Have you ever seen killer white corpuscles? A close-up look at the human heart in action? This sci-fi classic has this...plus Raquel Welch in a wet suit! Stephen Boyd, Donald Pleasence co-star. 100 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; art gallery; audio commentary; deleted scene; featurette; photo gallery; poster gallery; screen tests; storyboards; TV spots; theatrical trailers.
The Bible [DVD](1966) DVD
John Huston's mighty cinematic translation of the first 22 chapters of the Book of Genesis united an all-star cast, including George C. Scott as Abraham, Ava Gardner as Sarah, Peter O'Toole as the Three Angels, Richard Harris as Cain, Michael Parks as Adam, and Huston himself as Noah. 172 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
The Bible [Blu-ray](1966)
John Huston's mighty cinematic translation of the first 22 chapters of the Book of Genesis united an all-star cast, including George C. Scott as Abraham, Ava Gardner as Sarah, Peter O'Toole as the Three Angels, Richard Harris as Cain, Michael Parks as Adam, and Huston himself as Noah. Offering visual splendors and a reverent tone, the beloved epic continues to inspire. 175 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, French DTS 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.
The Sean Connery Collection [DVD] DVD
The fast-paced frontier actioner "Shalako" (1968) stars Sean Connery as a wandering gunfighter who comes to the aid of a group of travelling European aristocrats when they're stranded in Apache country. Stephen Boyd, Woody Strode, and Connery's "Goldfinger" co-star, Honor Blackman, also star. Four-disc set also includes "A Bridge Too Far," "Cuba," and "Never Say Never Again." 9 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.
Black Brigade [DVD](1969) DVD
Richard Pryor, Billy Dee Williams, Roosevelt Grier and Robert Hooks are the members of an all-black WWII commando squad with no combat experience, a contemptuous white topkick (Stephen Boyd), and a suicide assignment deep behind German lines! AKA: "Carter's Army." 90 min.
The Devil Has Seven Faces [DVD](1971) DVD
Italian-produced thriller stars Carroll Baker (in a dual role) as a beautiful woman who is being pursued by a dangerous gang of international jewel thieves who have mistaken her for her twin sister. Throw in plenty of murders, a stolen diamond, an incredible car race, and an unbelievable prank pulled by a man wearing a gorilla mask, and you've got a recipe for cinematic fun! With Stephen Boyd, George Hilton, Lucretia Love. 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English. Plays All Regions.
The Squeeze [DVD](1977) DVD
Hardening his nose for future "Hammer" appearances, Stacy Keach stars in this gritty crime drama as a burned-out, hard-drinking former Scotland Yard detective at the low point of his life. But when his ex-wife and her daughter are kidnapped by a ruthless Irish mobster and held for ransom, Keach must crawl out of the bottle in order to rescue them. Edward Fox, Stephen Boyd, David Hemmings, Carol White also star in this adaptation of James Tucker's novel by director Michael Apted. 107 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.

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filmography

FILM
Lady Dracula (1978) with Brad Harris
The Squeeze (1977) with Stacy Keach and David Hemmings
Casa Manchada (1977)
Women in Hospital (1977) with Horst Buchholz and Karin Dor
Montana Trap (1976) with Hardy Kruger and Anton Diffring
The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975) with Shirley Jones, James Darren, Farley Granger, George Grizzard, David Hedison, Ian McShane, Pernell Roberts, Dana Wynter, and Charles Drake
Treasure of Jamaica Reef (1975) with David Ladd, Chuck Woolery, Rosey Grier, Darby Hinton, and Cheryl Ladd
The Left Hand of the Law (1975) with James Mason
One Man Against the Organization (1975) with Alberto Dalbes
Key West (1973) with Woody Strode, Tiffany Bolling, Simon Oakland, Ford Rainey, and Sheree North
The Man Called Noon (1973) with Richard Crenna and Farley Granger
Charge! (1973) with Daniele Vargas and Helga Line
The Hands of Cormac Joyce (1972) with Colleen Dewhurst
The Big Game (1972) with France Nuyen, Ray Milland, and Cameron Mitchell
One Billion for a Blonde (1972) with Jean Sorel
Kill! (1971) with James Mason, Curd Jurgens, and Jean Seberg
The Devil Has Seven Faces (1971) with Carroll Baker and Daniele Vargas
African Story (1971) with Sylva Koscina
Marta (1971) with Marisa Mell and Isa Miranda
The Great Swindle (1971) with Marisa Mell, Fernando Rey, and Sylva Koscina
Black Brigade (1970) with Robert Hooks, Rosey Grier, Moses Gunn, Richard Pryor, and Billy Dee Williams
Slaves (1969) with Dionne Warwick, Ossie Davis, Julius Harris, David Huddleston, Gale Sondergaard, and Shepperd Strudwick
Shalako (1968) with Sean Connery, Brigitte Bardot, Honor Blackman, Woody Strode, and Don 'Red' Barry
Assignment K (1968) with Camilla Sparv and Michael Redgrave
The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967) with Yvette Mimieux, Vito Scotti, Walter Slezak, and Leon Askin
The Bible (1966) with Michael Parks, Richard Harris, John Huston, George C. Scott, Ava Gardner, and Peter O'Toole
Fantastic Voyage (1966) with Raquel Welch, Edmond O'Brien, Donald Pleasence, Arthur O'Connell, and Barry Coe
Poppies Are Also Flowers (1966) with Senta Berger, Yul Brynner, Angie Dickinson, Rita Hayworth, Trevor Howard, E.G. Marshall, Marcello Mastroianni, Gilbert Roland, Harold Sakata, Omar Sharif, Barry Sullivan, Eli Wallach, and Jocelyn Lane
The Oscar (1966) with Elke Sommer, Milton Berle, Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotten, Jill St. John, Tony Bennett, Edie Adams, Ernest Borgnine, Ed Begley, Walter Brennan, and Broderick Crawford
Genghis Khan (1965) with Omar Sharif, James Mason, Eli Wallach, Telly Savalas, Robert Morley, Yvonne Mitchell, and Woody Strode
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) with Sophia Loren, Alec Guinness, James Mason, Christopher Plummer, John Ireland, Omar Sharif, and Mel Ferrer
The Third Secret (1964) with Richard Attenborough, Diane Cilento, Pamela Franklin, and Judi Dench
Imperial Venus (1963) with Gina Lollobrigida
Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962) with Doris Day, Jimmy Durante, Martha Raye, Dean Jagger, and Grady Sutton
The Inspector (1962) with Dolores Hart, Hugh Griffith, and Donald Pleasence
The Big Gamble (1961) with Juliette Greco, David Wayne, Sybil Thorndike, and Jess Hahn
Ben-Hur (1959) with Charlton Heston, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy O'Donnell, and Sam Jaffe
The Best of Everything (1959) with Hope Lange, Suzy Parker, Martha Hyer, Diane Baker, Brian Aherne, Robert Evans, Brett Halsey, Louis Jourdan, and Joan Crawford
Woman Obsessed (1959) with Susan Hayward, Barbara Nichols, and Theodore Bikel
The Bravados (1958) with Gregory Peck, Joan Collins, Albert Salmi, Henry Silva, Barry Coe, Lee Van Cleef, and Andrew Duggan
The Night Heaven Fell (1958) with Brigitte Bardot and Fernando Rey
The Beasts of Marseilles (1957) with Anton Diffring
Island in the Sun (1957) with James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Dorothy Dandridge, Joan Collins, Michael Rennie, Harry Belafonte, John Williams, and Patricia Owens
Abandon Ship! (1957) with Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling, and Lloyd Nolan
Hell in Korea (1956) with George Baker and Robert Shaw
The Man Who Never Was (1956) with Clifton Webb, Gloria Grahame, Laurence Naismith, and Cyril Cusack
An Alligator Named Daisy (1955) with Jeannie Carson and Diana Dors
Born for Trouble (1955)

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Hawaii Five-O, episode Up the Rebels, originally aired September 15, 1977
Hunter, episode The Costa Rican Connection, originally aired March 18, 1977
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, episode War of Nerves, originally aired January 3, 1964
General Electric Theater, episode The Wall Between, originally aired January 7, 1962
Playhouse 90, episode To the Sound of Trumpets, originally aired February 10, 1960
Lilli Palmer Theatre, episode The Stolen Pearl, January 8, 1956
London Playhouse, Fighting Chance, originally aired December 15, 1955

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Stephen Boyd, Richard Pryor, and Robert Hooks
starring in the war drama Black Brigade (1970)