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Exhibit pays tribute to 'Hercules' actor

Reeves' items to be shown at museum

By Cheryl Walker
TODAY'S LOCAL NEWS
October 11, 2008
VALLEY CENTER – Many celebrities have come and gone in Valley Center. But once bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves discovered the rural town in 1957, he put down permanent roots.
“He loved Valley Center, and he lived here until he died in 2000,” said Bob Lerner, a Valley Center History Museum volunteer. “One of the things he liked about Valley Center was the residents never bothered him because he was famous. They would acknowledge him when they saw him, but he said, 'They never harassed me. They just let me live my life.' ”

The museum has put together an exhibit of Reeves memorabilia that will be on display through December. The enclosed case will be changed each month because the museum has a number of the actor's items, including pictures, movie posters, a saddle and bodybuilding trophies.

Reeves became interested in bodybuilding when he was training at a gym in Oakland during high school. By the time he left high school, he had developed a bodybuilder's muscles and stature. From school he served in the Army in the Pacific during the last part of World War II.

Bodybuilding titles won by Reeves were Mr. Pacific Coast, in 1946; Mr. Western America, 1947; Mr. America, 1947; Mr. World, 1948; and Mr. Universe, 1950.

Reeves went on to become an actor, best known for his roles in the “Hercules” films. “He was making waves all over the movie industry, and the 'Hercules' films were so popular,” Lerner said. “ 'Hercules' went on to be the No. 1 movie.”

Other movies included “Jail Bait” (1954), “Goliath and the Barbarians” (1959) and “The Thief of Baghdad” (1960).

Reeves' first television role was in “Kimbar of the Jungle,” made for television in 1949. It was supposed to be the first of 13 episodes, but because of funding problems, it was the only one made. His contract paid $275 per episode plus 10 percent of the net profits.

Reeves was divorced from his first wife, Sandra Smith, in 1956 and was married to Aline Czartjarwicz from 1963 until her death in 1989. Deborah Reeves-Stewart of Valley Center was his partner until he died.

“Movies and bodybuilding were not the largest part of who he was,” Reeves-Stewart said. “Horse ranching-raising was his first love.”

Reeves worked out at the gym and kept in shape until his death. He wrote books, was a big believer in power walking and had a line of high-energy power drinks that are still available.

“He walked everywhere,” Lerner said. “He walked a lot of miles around Valley Center.”

Reeves-Stewart said Reeves was always busy, and had a great mind and a wonderful sense of humor.

“He pretty much kept on a schedule,” she said. “He was very goal-oriented. He was very intelligent and always figured out a way to make things better. He should have been an engineer.”