Lee Majors: The Six Million Dollar Man Star – Career, Wives & Net Worth (2026)

Lee Majors became a household name in the 1970s as Colonel Steve Austin on The Six Million Dollar Man, a role that turned him into one of the biggest TV stars on the planet. Decades later, at 86 years old, he’s still recognized as an icon of American action television. From his breakout on The Big Valley to his stunt-filled run on The Fall Guy, Majors built a career that spanned over five decades — and a personal life that kept tabloids busy for just as long.

But behind the slow-motion running and the bionic sound effects, there’s a story most fans don’t know. Born Harvey Lee Yeary, Majors overcame a childhood marked by devastating loss before he ever stepped in front of a camera.

Early Life and Background

A Tragic Start in Wyandotte, Michigan

Harvey Lee Yeary was born on April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan, a working-class city just south of Detroit. His father, Carl Yeary, worked in the local steel mills — dangerous, grueling labor that defined the region. Carl died in an industrial accident at the mill before his son was even born. Harvey never got the chance to meet him.

Tragedy struck again roughly 18 months later. His mother was killed by a drunk driver, leaving the toddler an orphan before he could form any lasting memories of either parent. It’s the kind of loss that could break a person entirely. Instead, it set the stage for a remarkably resilient life.

Adoption and Growing Up in Kentucky

After his mother’s death, Harvey was taken in by relatives — his aunt and uncle — in Middlesboro, Kentucky, a small Appalachian town nestled at the Cumberland Gap. They raised him as their own and gave him the stability he desperately needed. He eventually took the surname Majors from his adoptive family.

Growing up in eastern Kentucky in the 1940s and 1950s, Majors developed a toughness and self-reliance that would serve him well later in Hollywood. He threw himself into athletics, particularly football, and became a standout player at Middlesboro High School.

College Football and a Career-Ending Injury

Majors earned a football scholarship to Eastern Kentucky University, where he played as a running back. He was good — good enough that a professional career seemed realistic. But a serious back injury during his college years ended those aspirations permanently. The injury required surgery, and any dreams of the NFL were over.

It turned out to be a pivotal moment. With football no longer an option, Majors shifted his focus to acting. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s, determined to make it in front of the camera instead of on the field.

Career and Filmography

How Did Lee Majors Become Famous?

Majors landed small TV roles throughout the early 1960s, but his big break came in 1965 when he was cast as Heath Barkley on ABC’s The Big Valley. The Western drama starred Barbara Stanwyck and ran for four seasons, from 1965 to 1969. As the illegitimate son of the Barkley family patriarch, Majors brought a quiet intensity to the role that made him a fan favorite.

The Big Valley put him on the map, but it was his next major role that made him a superstar. After a string of TV movies and guest spots in the early 1970s, Majors was cast as Colonel Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man.

What Are Lee Majors’ Most Famous Roles?

The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978) — This is the role that defined his career. Majors played Steve Austin, a former astronaut who’s rebuilt with bionic implants after a catastrophic crash. The show ran for five seasons on ABC and became a cultural phenomenon. The slow-motion action sequences and that unmistakable electronic sound effect became part of pop culture DNA. At its peak, the series drew over 30 million viewers per episode. Majors was, for a time, one of the highest-paid actors on television.

The Fall Guy (1981–1986) — After The Six Million Dollar Man ended, Majors didn’t slow down. He created and starred in The Fall Guy, playing Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. The show ran for five seasons and featured real stunt work that Majors insisted on performing himself whenever possible. It also had one of the catchiest theme songs in TV history — which Majors sang himself. The show earned a renewed wave of attention in 2024 when a feature film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling hit theaters.

The Big Valley (1965–1969) — His breakout Western role as Heath Barkley. Four seasons alongside Barbara Stanwyck gave Majors the credibility and screen time he needed to launch into leading-man territory.

Beyond these three signature series, Majors appeared in dozens of TV movies, guest spots, and film roles throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He’s never fully retired, popping up at fan conventions and in occasional screen projects well into his 80s.

Personal Life

Who Has Lee Majors Been Married To?

Majors has been married four times, and his romantic life attracted nearly as much attention as his acting career — particularly his marriage to Farrah Fawcett.

Kathy Robinson (1961–1964): Majors’ first marriage was to Kathy Robinson. They married young, and the union produced his first child, Lee Majors II. The marriage ended in divorce after three years.

Farrah Fawcett (1973–1982): This was the marriage that dominated the tabloids. Majors and Fawcett were one of the most glamorous couples in Hollywood during the late 1970s. They married on July 28, 1973, and for a few years, they were TV royalty — he as the Six Million Dollar Man, she as one of Charlie’s Angels. But the pressures of two massive careers and competing schedules took their toll. They separated in 1979 and finalized their divorce in 1982. Despite the split, Majors has spoken respectfully about Fawcett in the years since, including after her death from cancer in 2009.

Karen Velez (1988–1994): Majors married Karen Velez, who’d been named Playboy‘s Playmate of the Year in 1985. Together they had three children — daughter Nikki Majors and twin sons Dane Luke Majors and Trey Kulley Majors. The marriage lasted six years before ending in divorce in 1994.

Faith Cross (2002–present): Majors married actress and model Faith Cross in 2002, and the two have been together for over two decades. It’s his longest-lasting marriage and, by all accounts, a stable and happy one. They’ve kept a relatively low profile compared to his earlier relationships.

Does Lee Majors Have Children?

Majors has four children from two of his marriages:

• Lee Majors II — Son from his first marriage to Kathy Robinson. He’s followed a relatively private life compared to his father.
• Nikki Majors — Daughter with Karen Velez. Nikki has pursued her own path in entertainment and modeling.
• Dane Luke Majors — Son with Karen Velez (twin brother of Trey). He’s carved out his own identity while carrying his father’s famous name.
• Trey Kulley Majors — Son with Karen Velez (twin brother of Dane Luke). Trey has worked in entertainment and modeling.

Lee Majors’ Net Worth in 2026

As of 2026, Lee Majors’ net worth is estimated at approximately $15 million. The bulk of his wealth comes from decades of steady television work, including his starring roles on three long-running series. Syndication royalties from The Six Million Dollar Man and The Fall Guy have provided ongoing income for years, and the 2024 Fall Guy film adaptation brought renewed public interest in his legacy.

Majors also earns from fan convention appearances, merchandise licensing, and occasional acting projects. For a man who started life as an orphan in the steel towns of Michigan, $15 million represents a remarkable trajectory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lee Majors Still Alive in 2026?

Yes. Lee Majors is alive and 86 years old as of 2026. He lives with his wife Faith Cross and continues to make occasional public appearances at fan conventions and industry events.

What Was Lee Majors’ Real Name?

He was born Harvey Lee Yeary on April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan. He took the name Majors from relatives who adopted him after both his parents died during his infancy.

Was Lee Majors Really Married to Farrah Fawcett?

Yes. Majors and Farrah Fawcett married on July 28, 1973. They were one of Hollywood’s most high-profile couples throughout the late 1970s. They separated in 1979 and divorced in 1982. They didn’t have any children together.

Did Lee Majors Do His Own Stunts?

Majors was known for performing many of his own stunts, especially during The Fall Guy, which centered on a Hollywood stuntman character. His background as a college football player gave him the athleticism to handle much of the physical work himself, though professional stunt doubles were used for the most dangerous sequences.

How Tall Is Lee Majors?

Lee Majors stands 5 feet 11 inches tall (180 cm).

Related Celebrities

• Nikki Majors — Daughter
• Dane Luke Majors — Son
• Trey Kulley Majors — Son
• Karen Velez — Ex-wife