People
Photos
Purpose
Advertisement
Advertisement
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. B
  5. Bourazeris - Boytel
  6. Boyatyuk - Boydwalters
  7. Boyd
  8. Sholts - Sweetie
  9. Stephen Boyd
  10. Stephen Boyd
A photo of Stephen Boyd

Stephen Boyd 1931 - 1977

Stephen Boyd was born on July 4, 1931 in Ireland, and died at age 45 years old on June 2, 1977 in California United States. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Stephen Boyd.

Stephen Boyd
Name
Update name details
Last residence
Update residence details
July 4, 1931
Ireland
Birth
Update birth details
June 2, 1977
California, United States
Death
Update death details
Male
Looking for another Stephen Boyd?
Updated: April 13, 2021
Biography ID: 192813894 What's this
Stephen Boyd Stephen Boyd (1931 - 1977)
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Stephen.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Stephen Boyd's History: 1931 - 1977

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
- Discover how AncientFaces works.

  • Introduction

    Famous award-winning actor. Stephen Boyd Born July 4, 1931 in Glengormley, Northern Ireland, UK Died June 2, 1977 in Northridge, California, USA (heart attack) Birth Name William Millar Nickname Dimples Height 6' (1.83 m) Mini Bio (1) Stephen Boyd was born William Millar on July 4, 1931, at Glengormley, Northern Ireland, one of nine children of Martha Boyd and Canadian truck driver James Alexander Millar, who worked for Fleming's on Tomb Street in Belfast. He attended Glengormley & Ballyrobert primary school and then moved on to Ballyclare High School and studied bookkeeping at Hughes Commercial Academy. In Ireland he worked in an insurance office and travel agency during the day and rehearsed with a semi-professional acting company at night during the week and weekends. He would eventually manage to be on the list for professional acting companies to call him when they had a role. He joined the Ulster Theatre Group and was a leading man with that company for three years, playing all kinds of roles. He did quite a bit of radio work in between as well, but then decided it was distracting him from acting and completely surrendered to his passion. Eventually he went to London as an understudy in an Irish play, "The Passing Day." In England he became very ill and was in and out of work, supplementing his acting assignments with odd jobs such as waiting in a cafeteria, doorman at the Odeon Theatre and even busking on the streets of London. Even as things turned for the worst, he would always write back to his mother that all was well and things were moving along so as not to alarm her in any way or make her worry. Sir Michael Redgrave discovered him one night at the Odeon Theatre and arranged an introduction to the Windsor Repertory Company. The Arts Council of Great Britain was looking for leading man and part-time director for the only major repertory company that was left in England, The Arts Council Midland Theatre Company, and he got the job. During his stay in England he went into television with the BBC, and for 18 months he was in every big play on TV. One of the major roles in his early career was the one in the play "Barnett's Folly," which he himself ranked as one of his favorites. In 1956 he signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century-Fox. This led to his first film role, as an IRA member spying for the Nazis The Man Who Never Was (1956), a job he was offered by legendary producer Alexander Korda. William Wyler was so struck by Boyd's performance in that film that he asked Fox to loan him Boyd, resulting in his being cast in what is probably his most famous role, that of Messala in the classic Ben-Hur (1959) opposite Charlton Heston. He received a Golden Globe award for his work on that film but was surprisingly bypassed on Oscar night. Still under contract with Fox, Boyd waited around to play the role of Marc Anthony in Cleopatra (1963) opposite Elizabeth Taylor. However, Taylor became so seriously ill that the production was delayed for months, which caused Boyd and other actors to withdraw from the film and move on to other projects. Boyd made several films under contract before going independent. One of the highlights was Fantastic Voyage (1966), a science-fiction film about a crew of scientists miniaturized and injected into the human body as if in inner space. He also received a nomination for his role of Insp. Jongman in Lisa (1962) (aka "The Inspector") co-starring with Dolores Hart. Boyd's Hollywood career began to fade by the late 1960s as he started to spend more time in Europe, where he seemed to find better roles more suited to his interests. When he went independent it was obvious that he took on roles that spoke to him rather than just taking on assignments for the money, and several of the projects he undertook were, at the time, quite controversial, such as Slaves (1969) and Carter's Army (1970). Boyd chose his roles based solely on character development and the value of the story that was told to the public, and never based on monetary compensation or peer pressure. Although at the height of his career he was considered one of Hollywood's leading men, he never forgot where he came from, and always reminded everyone that he was, first and foremost, an Irishman. When the money started coming in, one of the first things he did was to ensure that his family was taken care of. He was particularly close to his mother Martha and his brother Alex. Boyd was married twice, the first time in 1958 to Italian-born MCA executive Mariella di Sarzana, but that only lasted (officially) during the filming of "Ben Hur." His second marriage was to Elizabeth Mills, secretary at the British Arts Council and a friend since 1955. Liz Mills followed Boyd to the US in the late 1950s and was his personal assistant and secretary for years before they married, about ten months before his death. He died on June 2, 1977, in Northridge, California, from a massive heart attack while playing golf - one of his favorite pastimes - at the Porter Valley Country Club. He is buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California. It was a terrible loss, just as he seemed to be making a comeback with his recent roles in the series Hawaii Five-O (1968) and the English movie The Squeeze (1977). It is a real tragedy to see that a man who was so passionate about his work, who wanted nothing but to tell a story with character, a man who was ahead of his time in many ways ended up being overlooked by many of his peers. One fact remains about Stephen Boyd, however--his fans are still passionate about his work to this day, almost 30 years after his death, and one has to wonder if he ever realized that perhaps in some way he achieved the goal he set out for himself: to entertain the public and draw attention to the true art of acting while maintaining glamour as he defined it by remaining himself a mystery. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Brigitte Ivory Spouse (2) Elizabeth Mills (August 1976 - 2 June 1977) ( his death) Mary Mariella di Sarzana (30 August 1958 - 20 March 1959) ( divorced) Trade Mark (2) Often cast in historical epics Dimple
  • 07/4
    1931

    Birthday

    July 4, 1931
    Birthdate
    Ireland
    Birthplace
    ADVERTISEMENT BY

  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Mother: Ireland. Father: Canada.

  • Nationality & Locations

    Irish. Born July 4, 1931 in Glengormley, Northern Ireland, UK Died June 2, 1977 in Northridge, California, USA (heart attack) Birth Name William Millar Nickname Dimples Height 6' (1.83 m) Stephen Boyd was born William Millar on July 4, 1931, at Glengormley, Northern Ireland, one of nine children of Martha Boyd and Canadian truck driver James Alexander Millar, who worked for Fleming's on Tomb Street in Belfast. He attended Glengormley & Ballyrobert primary school and then moved on to Ballyclare High School and studied bookkeeping at Hughes Commercial Academy. In Ireland he worked in an insurance office and travel agency during the day and rehearsed with a semi-professional acting company at night during the week and weekends. He would eventually manage to be on the list for professional acting companies to call him when they had a role. He joined the Ulster Theatre Group and was a leading man with that company for three years, playing all kinds of roles. He did quite a bit of radio work in between as well, but then decided it was distracting him from acting and completely surrendered to his passion. Eventually, he went to London as an understudy in an Irish play, "The Passing Day."

  • Professional Career

    In England he became very ill and was in and out of work, supplementing his acting assignments with odd jobs such as waiting in a cafeteria, doorman at the Odeon Theatre and even busking on the streets of London. Even as things turned for the worst, he would always write back to his mother that all was well and things were moving along so as not to alarm her in any way or make her worry. Sir Michael Redgrave discovered him one night at the Odeon Theatre and arranged an introduction to the Windsor Repertory Company. The Arts Council of Great Britain was looking for leading man and part-time director for the only major repertory company that was left in England, The Arts Council Midland Theatre Company, and he got the job. During his stay in England he went into television with the BBC, and for 18 months he was in every big play on TV. One of the major roles in his early career was the one in the play "Barnett's Folly," which he himself ranked as one of his favorites. In 1956 he signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century-Fox. This led to his first film role, as an IRA member spying for the Nazis The Man Who Never Was (1956), a job he was offered by legendary producer Alexander Korda. William Wyler was so struck by Boyd's performance in that film that he asked Fox to loan him Boyd, resulting in his being cast in what is probably his most famous role, that of Messala in the classic Ben-Hur (1959) opposite Charlton Heston. He received a Golden Globe award for his work on that film but was surprisingly bypassed on Oscar night. Still under contract with Fox, Boyd waited around to play the role of Marc Anthony in Cleopatra (1963) opposite Elizabeth Taylor. However, Taylor became so seriously ill that the production was delayed for months, which caused Boyd and other actors to withdraw from the film and move on to other projects. Boyd made several films under contract before going independent. One of the highlights was Fantastic Voyage (1966), a science-fiction film about a crew of scientists miniaturized and injected into the human body as if in inner space. He also received a nomination for his role of Insp. Jongman in Lisa (1962) (aka "The Inspector") co-starring with Dolores Hart. Boyd's Hollywood career began to fade by the late 1960s as he started to spend more time in Europe, where he seemed to find better roles more suited to his interests. When he went independent it was obvious that he took on roles that spoke to him rather than just taking on assignments for the money, and several of the projects he undertook were, at the time, quite controversial, such as Slaves (1969) and Carter's Army (1970). Boyd chose his roles based solely on character development and the value of the story that was told to the public and never based on monetary compensation or peer pressure. Although at the height of his career he was considered one of Hollywood's leading men, he never forgot where he came from, and always reminded everyone that he was, first and foremost, an Irishman. When the money started coming in, one of the first things he did was to ensure that his family was taken care of. He was particularly close to his mother Martha and his brother Alex. Boyd was married twice, the first time in 1958 to Italian-born MCA executive Mariella di Sarzana, but that only lasted (officially) during the filming of "Ben Hur." His second marriage was to Elizabeth Mills, secretary at the British Arts Council and a friend since 1955. Liz Mills followed Boyd to the US in the late 1950s and was his personal assistant and secretary for years before they married, about ten months before his death. He died on June 2, 1977, in Northridge, California, from a massive heart attack while playing golf - one of his favorite pastimes - at the Porter Valley Country Club. He is buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California. It was a terrible loss, just as he seemed to be making a comeback with his recent roles in the series Hawaii Five-O (1968) and the English movie The Squeeze (1977). It is a real tragedy to see that a man who was so passionate about his work, who wanted nothing but to tell a story with character, a man who was ahead of his time in many ways ended up being overlooked by many of his peers. One fact remains about Stephen Boyd, however--his fans are still passionate about his work to this day, almost 30 years after his death, and one has to wonder if he ever realized that perhaps in some way he achieved the goal he set out for himself: to entertain the public and draw attention to the true art of acting while maintaining glamour as he defined it by remaining himself a mystery. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Brigitte Ivory Spouse (2) Elizabeth Mills (August 1976 - 2 June 1977) ( his death) Mary Mariella di Sarzana (30 August 1958 - 20 March 1959) ( divorced) Trade Mark (2) Often cast in historical epics Dimple
  • 06/2
    1977

    Death

    June 2, 1977
    Death date
    Unknown
    Cause of death
    California United States
    Death location
    ADVERTISEMENT BY

  • Obituary

    Actor Stephen Boyd, 49, Dies Actor Stephen Boyd, best known for his role as Messala, Charlton Heston's chariot-racing opponent in "Ben Hur," collapsed while playing golf and died of heart failure Thursday. He was 49. Mr. Boyd's press agent said the actor was golfing with his wife, Elizabeth, when he collapsed. Mr. Boyd was rushed to a hospital and died about two hours later. Born William Miller near Belfast, Ireland, Mr. Boyd played in dozens of films as a Hollywood contract actor and co-starred with some of the most famous actresses in the movie industry. But he never quite attained star status. Mr. Boyd, a ruggedly handsome 6-footer with a superb physique, began his theatrical career in radio programs in Belfast at age 16. He went to London where he worked as a doorman for a theater and as a cafeteria attendant. Shortly afterward, he was chosen to help actors on stage during the British film academy awards. He was noticed by actor Michael Redgrave, who was presenting the awards. Redgrave gave him a letter of introduction to the head of a repertory company. Mr. Boyd won an audition and was hired immediately. He worked in British theater for two years and then began working in television. He was signed by London Films, which gave him a number of small parts and then lent him to 20th Century Fox. He received his first prominent role in "The Man Who never Was" and was given a long-term contract. "I don't know what goes into being a star," he told an interviewer at one time. "Perhaps it is the capacity to explain the character and story to any audience, in any language, in any country." He appeared in about 50 films, including "Island in the Sun," "The Best of Everything," "The Oscars," "Fantastic Voyage," "Fall of the Roman Empire," "Jumbo," "Imperial Venus," "The Inspector" and "Genghis Khan." He played opposite actresses like Brigitte Bardot, Susan Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner, and Raquel Welch. Mr. Boyd was never nominated for an Oscar but won the Golden Globe award of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for his role in "Ben Hur," filmed in 1959. His career peaked in that film, and the chariot race sequence, considered a film classic, was entered in the Motion Picture Academy's archives in Hollywood. After a role in "The Oscars" in 1966, Mr. Boyd decided to work with independent producers and began a new career in foreign-produced films. He recently returned from Hawaii where he played a guest role in the television series "Hawaii Five-O." Mr. Boyd's agent said the actor had no history of heart trouble. "he liked to find as many different golf courses as he could play on. Anywhere he went to film, he would seek out a new golf course," the agent said. Mr. Boyd is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, who was his second wife.Stephen Boyd died on June 2, 1977 in California at 45 years of age. He was born on July 4, 1931 in Ireland.
    ADVERTISEMENT BY
    Looking for more information?
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

6 Memories, Stories & Photos about Stephen

Ben Hur Star, Stephen Boyd.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
04/13/2021
Ben Hur Star, Stephen Boyd.
Movie still.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Stephen Boyd with wife.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
04/13/2021
Stephen Boyd with wife.
He was 6 feet tall.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Stephen Boyd.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
04/13/2021
Stephen Boyd.
Considered ruggedly handsome.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
With Doris Day in Jumbo.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
04/13/2021
With Doris Day in Jumbo.
He was extremely popular with directors.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Stephen Boyd looked healthy.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
04/13/2021
Stephen Boyd looked healthy.
He was a smoker and had a heart attack in his forties.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
He starred in THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
04/13/2021
He starred in THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS
Played an Irish terrorist and the phone didn't stop ringing.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
- See how biographies work.
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Stephen Boyd's Family Tree & Friends

Stephen Boyd's Family Tree

Parent
Parent
Stephen Boyd
Stephen Boyd Jul 4, 1931 - Jun 2, 1977
Partner
Child
Sibling
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

Stephen's Friends

Friends of Stephen Friends can be as close as family. Add Stephen's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
1 Follower & Sources

Connect with others who remember Stephen Boyd to share and discover more memories. People who have contributed to this page are listed below and in the Biography History of changes. Sign in to to view changes.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Other Biographies

Other Stephen Boyd Biographies

Boyd, Stephen (Jun 6, 1956 - Jan 2, 2013) Boyd, Stephen (Nov 28, 1909 - Mar 1970) Boyd, Stephen (Mar 19, 1963 - Dec 8, 2005) Boyd, Stephen (Aug 9, 1941 - Oct 1985) Boyd, Stephen (Nov 17, 1950 - Mar 1981) Boyd, Stephen (Dec 14, 1954 - Mar 19, 1995) Boyd, Stephen (Jan 30, 1892 - May 1965) Boyd, Stephen (Nov 21, 1960 - Oct 29, 2006) Boyd, Stephen (Nov 14, 1944 - Dec 1, 2003) Boyd, Stephen (Jun 10, 1952 - Apr 7, 2009)
Boyd, Stephen (Jan 18, 1963 - Aug 1981) Boyd, Stephen (Feb 14, 1909 - Jan 4, 1990) Boyd, Stephen (Feb 6, 1955 - Aug 10, 1994) Boyd, Stephen (May 25, 1958 - Jan 1981) Boyd, Stephen (Apr 7, 1979 - Jun 15, 1988) Boyd, Stephen (Aug 4, 1954 - Feb 13, 2000) Boyd, Stephen (Feb 23, 1962 - May 28, 2008) Boyd, Stephen (Mar 17, 1948 - Jun 27, 1993) Boyd, Stephen (Mar 10, 2003 - Apr 18, 2006) Boyd, Stephen (Sep 15, 1911 - Nov 4, 1994)

Other Boyd Family Biographies

Boyd, Noah (Jul 17, 1885 - Aug 1964) Boyd, Brieanna (Born Aug 14, 1995) Boyd, Ella (Born Jul 4, 1861) Boyd, Susannah Catherine  (Born Apr 7, 1870) Boyd, Walter (Dec 25, 1902 - Apr 19, 1991) Brubaker, Esther (Born Jan 14, 1894) Lowber, Iva (Born Dec 29, 1896) Tharrington, Susannah (Born Jun 10, 1898) Boyd, Clement (Jun 25, 1900 - Nov 1, 1992) Cripe, Bertha (Nov 17, 1891 - Nov 28, 1988)
Boyd, Ogden (May 9, 1907 - Nov 17, 1991) Boyd, Doris (Apr 18, 1911 - Dec 31, 2004) Boyd, Sophia (Sep 24, 1916 - Jun 4, 1998) Boyd, Bernard (Sep 29, 1892 - Apr 1955) Boyd, Clyde (Jun 10, 1906 - Jan 1, 1992) Boyd, Dougald (Jul 16, 1898 - Dec 1977) Boyd, William (Dec 9, 1908 - Sep 20, 2002) Boyd, Ernest (Oct 13, 1896 - Mar 1963) Boyd, Armond (May 20, 1916 - Sep 3, 1990) Boyd, Leona (Jun 6, 1905 - Mar 1977)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Show more
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. B
  5. Bourazeris - Boytel
  6. Boyatyuk - Boydwalters
  7. Boyd
  8. Sholts - Sweetie
  9. Stephen Boyd
  10. Stephen Boyd
Back to Top
Advertisement
Advertisement