Here is the biography of Stephen Boyd:
Stephen Boyd was born William Millar on July 4, 1931, in Glengormley, Northern Ireland, as one of nine children to Martha Boyd and Canadian truck driver James Alexander Millar. He studied bookkeeping at Hughes Commercial Academy and worked in an insurance office and travel agency during the day, while rehearsing with a semi-professional acting company at night.
He joined the Ulster Theatre Group and became a leading man, playing various roles, and also did radio work. Boyd eventually moved to London as an understudy in an Irish play, "The Passing Day." He became ill and had to supplement his acting assignments with odd jobs, but continued to write to his mother, assuring her that everything was fine.
Sir Michael Redgrave discovered Boyd at the Odeon Theatre and introduced him to the Windsor Repertory Company. He landed a job as leading man and part-time director for the Arts Council Midland Theatre Company, and began working in television with the BBC. He appeared in every big play on TV for 18 months and had a major role in the play "Barnett's Folly," which he considered one of his favorites.
In 1956, Boyd signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century-Fox, which led to his first film role in "The Man Who Never Was." He received a Golden Globe award for his work in "Ben-Hur" (1959) opposite Charlton Heston, but was surprisingly bypassed on Oscar night. He went on to make several films under contract before going independent.
Boyd's Hollywood career began to fade by the late 1960s, and he started spending more time in Europe, where he found better roles. When he went independent, he took on roles that spoke to him, rather than just taking on assignments for the money. He was particularly drawn to controversial projects, such as "Slaves" (1969) and "Carter's Army" (1970).
Boyd was married twice, first to Mariella di Sarzana, and then to Elizabeth Mills, his personal assistant and secretary. He died on June 2, 1977, from a massive heart attack while playing golf at the Porter Valley Country Club. He is buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California.
Despite being overlooked by many of his peers, Stephen Boyd's fans remain passionate about his work to this day, almost 30 years after his death.
