Parker Stevenson Explained

Parker Stevenson
Birth Name:Richard Stevenson Parker Jr.
Birth Date:4 June 1952
Education:Brooks School
Occupation:Actor
Yearsactive:1972–present
Children:2
Alma Mater:Princeton University

Richard Stevenson Parker Jr. (born June 4, 1952), known professionally as Parker Stevenson, is an American actor best known for playing Frank Hardy in the 1970s series The Hardy Boys and Craig Pomeroy on the 1990s series Baywatch.

Early life

Stevenson was born on the Main Line of Philadelphia, on June 4, 1952, as Richard Stevenson Parker Jr., one of two sons of Richard Stevenson Parker Sr., an investment advisor, and Sarah Meade, an actress who worked on Broadway and in television commercials. His mother took him to a filming session when he was five years old, which resulted in him making two small television appearances. The elder Parker moved his family to Rye, New York and disapproved of the whole business. Richard Jr. appeared in a few plays at Brooks Preparatory School, but initially had no intention of becoming an actor and wanted to be an architect.[1]

Career

Stevenson's first notable screen appearance was a starring role in the 1972 movie A Separate Peace, credited as Parker Stevenson. After graduating from Brooks School and Princeton University, where he studied architecture, he moved to Hollywood and landed a role opposite Sam Elliott in the 1976 film Lifeguard.

Stevenson became well known from starring with teen heartthrob Shaun Cassidy in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries series, produced by Glen A. Larson's production company through MCA-Universal Television (now NBCUniversal) under license from the Stratemeyer Publication Syndicate, from 1977 to 1979 on ABC. In 1983, he co-starred in the movie Stroker Ace as Burt Reynolds's brash race-car driving nemesis, Aubrey James. The film was a critical and financial failure.

In 1986, Stevenson starred as Billy Hazard in the television miniseries North and South. He co-starred with then-wife Kirstie Alley, who portrayed his sister Virgilia Hazard.[2] He starred on the short-lived 1988 series Probe in the lead role of Austin James. He was part of the original cast of Baywatch in the 1989 season, returning for the syndicated 1997 and 1998 seasons. He had a recurring role as a computer tycoon on Melrose Place during the second season.[3] He starred in Legion. In 2014, he had a guest role on the Western/mystery series Longmire.

Stevenson has been a photographer since he was young; his work can be found at his photography website.[4] [5]

From 2017 to 2020 he starred on Greenhouse Academy as Louis Osmond, Academy Director.[6]

Personal life

Stevenson was married to his first wife, actress Kirstie Alley, on December 22, 1983, and they divorced in 1997.[7] They adopted two children: a son in 1992 and a daughter in 1995.[8] [9]

Stevenson married celebrity chef Lisa Schoen on September 29, 2018, at Demetria Vineyards in Los Olivos, California.[10]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1972 A Separate Peace Gene Forrester
1974 Our Time Michael Brooks Alternative title: Death of Her Innocence
1976 Lifeguard Chris Randall
1983 Stroker Ace Aubrey James
1985 Stitches Bobby Stevens
1995 Not of This Earth Officer Jack Sherbourne
2003 Terror Peak
2008 Loaded Ben Ryan
2014 McTaggart's Fortune Richard Heywood
2015 Perfect Disguise General William Tecumseh Sherman
His Secret Family Detective Daniel Sharpson
2016 The War Riders General Sherman
Hidden Truth Sheriff Underwood
2018 Mistrust Brandon McKellan
2019 American Confederate General Sherman
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1974 Gunsmoke Steven Episode: "To Ride a Yeller Horse"
1976 The Streets of San Francisco Andy Horvath Episode: "The Drop"
1977–79 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Frank Hardy Main role (46 episodes)
1981 This House Possessed Gary Straihorn Television film
1983 The Love Boat Bill Watkins Episode: "The Dean and the Flunkee" (Parts 1 & 2)
Shooting Stars Bill O'Keefe Television film pilot
The Love Boat Matt Stevens Episode: "Don't Take My Wife, Please"
1984 Hotel Michael Episode: "Confrontations"
1984–85 Falcon Crest Joel McCarthy Recurring role (11 episodes)
1985 Rockhopper Nick Larabee Television film
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Lance Richards Episode: "Method Actor"
Murder, She Wrote Michael Digby Episode: "Sticks and Stones"
1986 North and South: Book II Billy Hazard Miniseries
That Secret Sunday Investigative Reporter Scott Dennis Television film
1987 Matlock Dr. Philip Eagen Episode: "The Author"
The Hitchhiker Brett Episode: "Best Shot"
Shades of Love: The Rose Cafe Josh Television film
1988 Mission: Impossible Champ Foster Episode: "The Haunting"
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Clark Taylor Episode: "Prosecutor"
Probe Austin James Main role (8 episodes)
1989 The Cover Girl and the Cop Cable Hayward Television film, uncredited
Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier Craig Pomeroy Television film pilot
Caddie Woodlawn Uncle Edmund Grey Television film
1989–90,
1997–99
Baywatch Craig Pomeroy Main cast (season 1), recurring (seasons 8–9)
1990 All the Rivers Run II Cyrus P. James Television film
1991 Flesh 'n' Blood Jeffrey Hazelwood Episode: "Tall, Dark and Wanted in Four States"
1992 Blossom Jim / Scott Alexander Episode: "Hot for Teacher"
Are You Lonesome Tonight? Mat Henderson Television film
Shadow of a Stranger Ted Clinton Television film
1993 Melrose Place Steve McMillan Recurring role (6 episodes)
Official Denial Paul Corliss Television film
1994 Burke's Law Ted Cranshaw Episode: "Who Killed Good Time Charlie?"
1998 Legion Captain Aldrich Television film
1999 Avalon: Beyond the Abyss Commander John Alden Television film; also executive producer
2000 Batman Beyond Paxton Powers Voice, episode: "King's Ransom"
2001 Trapped Oliver Sloan Television film
2002 Judging Amy Mr. Andrew Pickeral Episode: "Who Shot Dick?"
The District Mr. Skols Episode: "Convictions"
2003 Terror Peak Kevin Fraser Television film
2010 Legend of the Seeker The Margrave Episode: "Princess"
2014 Longmire Welles VanBlarcom Episode: "Reports of My Death"
2015 Win, Lose or Love Mike Canton Television film
A Christmas Reunion Don Dupree Television film
2016 The Perfect Daughter Bruce Cahill Television film
Bull Gavin Everton Episode: "Just Tell the Truth"
2017 My Christmas Prince Jim Logan Television film
2017–2020 Greenhouse Academy Louis Osmond Main cast (40 episodes)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 10 Things You Didn't Know about Parker Stevenson. Mason. Aiden. December 29, 2019. TVOvermind. en-US. February 14, 2020.
  2. News: Kirstie Alley: I Had an Affair with Patrick Swayze. Robyn. Ross. November 6, 2012. TV Guide.
  3. Parker Stevenson visits 'Melrose Place'. Alan. Carter. October 22, 1993. Entertainment Weekly.
  4. Web site: Shadowworks . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220309050713/https://www.parkerstevensonshadowworks.com/ . March 9, 2022 . Parker Stevenson Shadowworks.
  5. Web site: Parker Stevenson Talks About The Hardy Boys, Probe, and His Passion for Photography . Classic Film and TV Café . July 27, 2014 . July 24, 2014.
  6. News: 'Greenhouse Academy' Season 3: Brooke, Emma Actresses Recast and New Characters Added. Rachael. Ellenbogen. October 24, 2019. International Business Times. January 20, 2021.
  7. News: 'Gal-imony': Celeb Women Who Pay in the Divorce. Fisher. Luchina. April 16, 2009. ABC News. January 20, 2021.
  8. News: Kirstie Alley Kids: Actress Shares First Photo Of Grandson Waylon Tripp Parker. Khoo. Isabelle. June 22, 2016. HuffPost. January 20, 2021.
  9. Web site: Kirstie Alley Is a Grandma, Son William Stevenson Welcomes First Child. June 22, 2016. E! Online.
  10. Inside 'Hardy Boys' Star Parker Stevenson's Wedding To Lisa Schoen (EXCLUSIVE). November 17, 2018. Closer Weekly. January 20, 2021.