Steven Ford | |
|---|---|
_was_unveiled_at_the_Pentagon_-_20070116.jpg) Ford at the unveiling of a model of theUSSGerald R. Ford (CVN-78) at the Pentagon in 2007 | |
| Born | Steven Meigs Ford (1956-05-19)May 19, 1956 (age 69) Washington, DC, U.S.[1] |
| Education | Utah State University California State Polytechnic University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1980–2007 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Susan Ford Bales (sister) |
Steven Meigs Ford (born May 19, 1956) is an American actor, and the youngest son of former U.S. PresidentGerald Ford and former First LadyBetty Ford. He is perhaps best known for playing Andy Richards in the soap operaThe Young and the Restless.
Ford is the third child and youngest son of former PresidentGerald Ford and former First LadyBetty Ford. Ford graduated fromT. C. Williams High School inAlexandria, Virginia, on June 13, 1974, at which his father, then Vice President, gave the commencement address.[2] Ford attendedUtah State University, studying range management;[3][4] while his older brother John Gardner (Jack) Ford studiedforestry. Ford also attendedCalifornia State Polytechnic University, Pomona andCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he studiedequine studies.[5]
Ford was cast in the filmGrease (1978) as Tom Chisum, but dropped out before filming began and was replaced byLorenzo Lamas, citingstage fright.[6] Ford joined the cast ofThe Young and the Restless in 1981, creating the role ofPrivate Investigator Andy Richards.[7] He was a regular member of the cast from 1981 to 1987 and briefly from 2002 to 2003.[7] Ford has since appeared in minor roles in a number of films and television series, includingEscape from New York,[8]Babylon 5: In the Beginning,Armageddon,Black Hawk Down,Starship Troopers,When Harry Met Sally...,[7]Heat,Contact, andTransformers. From 1992 to 1993, he hosted the short-lived seriesSecret Service.
Ford serves on the board of trustees for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation inGrand Rapids, Michigan. He describes himself as a "moderate Republican" and a "fiscal conservative". He also acknowledged that he suffered fromalcoholism in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although he still takes on occasional acting assignments, he spends most of his time raising money for charitable organizations and giving speeches and motivational talks to student groups on alcoholism.[9]
In 1991, he announced his engagement to Laura Carlos. Later he said that the marriage plans did not go forward as he was working on hissobriety.
On February 14, 1980,[10] he filed a lawsuit in California to determine if he was the legal father of a boy named Lawrence, born on December 16, 1979,[10] to Joy Malken.[11] He also filed forcustody and/orvisitation rights.[10] There was "a complete and amicable settlement" very shortly afterward, details being kept private.[12][13]
On January 9, 2025, Ford read a eulogy written by his father on the occasion of the2025 state funeral of former PresidentJimmy Carter, and made reference to his "wife" at the funeral of President Carter, though she has not been named publicly.[14]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Cattle Annie and Little Britches | Deputy Marshal | |
| 1981 | Escape from New York | Secret Service #2 | |
| 1982 | Young Doctors in Love | Soap Cameos | |
| 1986 | The Eleventh Commandment | Tom Leary | |
| 1989 | When Harry Met Sally... | Joe | |
| 1990 | Twenty Dollar Star | Jim | |
| 1995 | Heat | Officer Bruce | |
| 1996 | Eraser | Knoland | |
| 1997 | Midnight Blue | Detective Dobkin | |
| 1997 | Contact | Major Russell | |
| 1997 | Starship Troopers | Lt. Willy | |
| 1997 | Against the Law | Lt. Bill Carpenter | |
| 1998 | Armageddon | Nuke Tech | |
| 1999 | The Rage: Carrie 2 | Coach Walsh | |
| 2001 | Black Hawk Down | Cribbs | |
| 2007 | Transformers | Four Star General |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Happy Days | Frankie | Episode: "The Sixth Sense" |
| 1981 | The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo | Rodeo Cowboy | Episode: "Keep on Buckin'" |
| 1982–2003 | The Young and the Restless | Andy Richards | 212 episodes |
| 1984 | The Cowboy and the Ballerina | Wes Butler | Television film |
| 1988 | Murder, She Wrote | Drake Eaton | Episode: "Harbinger of Death" |
| 1988 | Shooter | Capt. Walker | Television film |
| 1990 | Columbo | Toby Ritt | Episode: "Agenda for Murder" |
| 1994 | Team Suomi | Willi | Television film |
| 1995 | Sirens | Dr. Paul Ravenson | Episode: "The Obsession" |
| 1995 | Flipper | F. Scott Blondel | Episode: "F. Scott" |
| 1996 | JAG | 'Daddy' Dan Austin | Episode: "Hemlock" |
| 1996 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Frank Parker | Episode: "The Suburban Episode" |
| 1996 | Dark Skies | Phillips | Episode: "Ancient Future" |
| 1997 | The Beneficiary | Bill Girard | Television film |
| 1997 | The Sentinel | Norman Oliver | Episode: "Secret" |
| 1997 | Baywatch | Steve Cause | Episode: "Trial by Fire" |
| 1997 | Walker, Texas Ranger | D.A. Mark Clark | Episode: "Texas vs. Cahill" |
| 1997 | Two Came Back | Lt. Belwick | Television film |
| 1998 | Babylon 5: In the Beginning | Prometheus First Officer | |
| 1998 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Prosecutor Meadows | Episode: "Legend II: Vengeance" |
| 1998 | Suddenly Susan | Skip | Episode: "A Tale of Two Pants: Part 2" |
| 1998, 2000 | Pensacola: Wings of Gold | Lt. Col. Donald Stuart / Lt. Col. Martin Niles | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | 18 Wheels of Justice | Senator Quentin Young | Episode: "Past Imperfect" |
