Steven Ford

For other people named Stephen Ford, see Stephen Ford (disambiguation).
Steven Ford

Steven Ford at the unveiling of a model of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) at the Pentagon in January 2007
Born Steven Meigs Ford
(1956-05-19) May 19, 1956
East Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Education T. C. Williams High School
Alma mater Utah State University
California Polytechnic State University
Occupation Actor
Parent(s) Gerald Ford
Betty Ford
Relatives John Gardner Ford (brother)
Michael Gerald Ford (brother)
Susan Ford Bales (sister)
Charles Henry King (great-grandfather)
Gerald Rudolph Ford (step-grandfather)
Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford (grandmother)
Leslie Lynch King, Sr. (biological grandfather)
Thomas Gardner Ford (half-uncle)

Steven Meigs Ford (born May 19, 1956) is an American actor and son of former U.S. President Gerald Ford and former First Lady Betty Ford.

Early life

Steven Ford with his mother, Betty Ford, in 1976

Ford was born in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, the third child and youngest son of former President Gerald Ford and former First Lady Betty Ford. Ford graduated from T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 1974, at which his father, then Vice President, gave the commencement address. Ford attended Utah State University, studying Range Management;[1][2] while his older brother Jack studied Forestry there. Ford also attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he studied Animal Science-Equine Studies at Cal Poly.

Career

Ford was cast in the film Grease (1978) as Tom Chisum, but dropped out before filming began and was replaced by Lorenzo Lamas. Ford joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in 1981, creating the role of Private Investigator Andy Richards.[3] He was a regular member of the cast from 1981 to 1987 and briefly from 2002-2003.[3] Ford has since appeared in minor roles in a number of films and television series, including Escape From New York,[4] Babylon 5: In the Beginning, Armageddon, Black Hawk Down, Starship Troopers, When Harry Met Sally,[3] Heat, Contact, Transformers. From 1992-1993, he hosted the short-lived series Secret Service.

Personal life

Ford serves on the Board of Trustees for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He describes himself as a "moderate Republican" and a "fiscal conservative." He also acknowledged that he suffered from alcoholism 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.[5]

He has never been married. In 1991, he announced his engagement to Laura Carlos.[6] Later, he said that the marriage plans didn't go forward as he was working on his sobriety.[7]

In February 14, 1980,[8] he filed a lawsuit in California to determine if he was the legal father of a boy named Lawrence, born on December 16, 1979,[8] to Joy Malken.[9] He also filed for custody and/or visitation rights.[8] There was "a complete and amicable settlement" very shortly afterward, details being kept private.[10][11]

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Deseret Morning News|President cherished his ties to Utah
  2. ↑ Salt Lake Tribune - President Ford: Tremonton family stays close
  3. 1 2 3 "Any Questions?". Soap Opera Weekly. February 13, 2007. p. 13.
  4. ↑ Ford plays "Secret Service [agent] #2" guarding the President on Air Force One.
  5. ↑ "CNN.com".
  6. ↑ "Passages".
  7. ↑ http://www.ncaddnj.org/2008/pdf/StarLedger2005Walk.pdf
  8. 1 2 3 "Steve Ford Asks Child's Custody", The Modesto Bee, February 23, 1980
  9. ↑ Steven Ford Files Paternity Suit in California, New York Times, February 22, 1980, p B8
  10. ↑ Ford Suit Settled, New York Times, February 29, 1980, p B6, column 3
  11. ↑ "People: Jul. 20, 1981". Time. July 20, 1981. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
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