Steve Sandalis
Encyclopedia
Steve Sandalis is an American
model
, bodybuilder and actor
. He is best known for being "The Topaz Man" and appearing on over 700 Romance novel
covers. Steve's image is on over 50 million books. Steve is a household name to the over 70 million fans of the romance genre
worldwide. Considered very handsome and classically well built, Steve has become one of the most prolific male romance cover models of all time. Before retiring in 1996 he was a fan favorite attending many publishing industry conventions and events.
Steve was attending the University of South Florida
in
Tampa
, Florida
where he started modeling. He was discovered by Mary Anne Palumbo, publicity director of Penguin Books, who chose him to be "The Topaz Man" on a series of romance novels. In 1995 he won the Mr. Hercules Body Building Competition. Steve claims he was named after Steve Reeves
, who played the lead role in the movie Hercules (1958 film)
. In 2002 he was rank one of the sexist men alive by Playgirl
Magazine
, he was Playgirl's cover man Feb. 1994.
" in the male model competition.
Entertainment Tonight
, Access Hollywood
, Geraldo, Extra
, E!
Entertainment, Leeza
, Maury Povich
, Joan Rivers
, Hard Copy
and Donahue
have all done stories on Steve Sandalis.
Partial list of TV and Movie Roles:
Himself on the Discovery Channel TV Show "The Undetectables" (2005)
Steve Johnson in Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)
Sergeant in "Outta Time" (2002)
Hawke in "Santira" (2002)
Buffalo Thunder in "Christmas in the Clouds" (2001)
Roman Soldier in "The Emissary: A Biblical Epic" (1997)
John in "Erotic Confessions" (1994) Episode: "Off the Menu"(1996)
, New York
and is a graduate of Commack High School South in 1986. He has also lived in Florida
before moving to California
where he lives in Encino. Steve met his future wife
Katy Wallin in 1996 while doing promotional work. Katy is a casting
agent. Steve and Katy were married in 1998. They have a son named Stefan in born2001.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, bodybuilder and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is best known for being "The Topaz Man" and appearing on over 700 Romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
covers. Steve's image is on over 50 million books. Steve is a household name to the over 70 million fans of the romance genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
worldwide. Considered very handsome and classically well built, Steve has become one of the most prolific male romance cover models of all time. Before retiring in 1996 he was a fan favorite attending many publishing industry conventions and events.
Steve was attending the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
in
Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
where he started modeling. He was discovered by Mary Anne Palumbo, publicity director of Penguin Books, who chose him to be "The Topaz Man" on a series of romance novels. In 1995 he won the Mr. Hercules Body Building Competition. Steve claims he was named after Steve Reeves
Steve Reeves
Stephen L. Reeves was an American bodybuilder and actor. At the peak of his career, he was the highest-paid actor in Europe.-Childhood:...
, who played the lead role in the movie Hercules (1958 film)
Hercules (1958 film)
Hercules is a 1958 Italian epic fantasy feature film based upon the Hercules myths and the Quest for the Golden Fleece. The film stars Steve Reeves as the titular hero and Sylva Koscina as his love interest Princess Iole. Hercules was directed by Pietro Francisci and produced by Federico Teti...
. In 2002 he was rank one of the sexist men alive by Playgirl
Playgirl
Playgirl is a print quarterly adult magazine published in the United States that is marketed mainly to heterosexual women, but has also gained a considerable gay following...
Magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, he was Playgirl's cover man Feb. 1994.
TV and film career
Steve was a contestant and winner on "Star SearchStar Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
" in the male model competition.
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, Access Hollywood
Access Hollywood
Access Hollywood is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently directed by Robert Silverstein. In previous years, Doug Dougherty and...
, Geraldo, Extra
Extra (TV series)
Extra is an American entertainment television news program covering events and celebrities which debuted on September 5, 1994 in syndication. It is produced at Victory Studios in Glendale, California by Telepictures Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Distribution...
, E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
Entertainment, Leeza
Leeza
Leeza is a daytime television talk show hosted by Leeza Gibbons. The show ran on NBC between 1994 and 2000, and was also shown on other stations in markets where the local NBC affiliate pre-empted it in favor of other programming...
, Maury Povich
Maury Povich
Maurice Richard "Maury" Povich is an American TV talk show host who currently hosts his self-titled talk show Maury.-Personal background:...
, Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers is an American comedian, television personality and actress. She is known for her brash manner; her loud, raspy voice with a heavy New York accent; and her numerous cosmetic surgeries...
, Hard Copy
Hard Copy
Hard Copy is an American tabloid news television show that ran in syndication from 1989 to 1999. Hard Copy was aggressive in its use of questionable material on television, including gratuitous violence....
and Donahue
Donahue
Donahue is the Americanized version of Irish surname Donohoe, which, in turn, is an Anglicized version of the ancient Irish name "Donnchadh" ....
have all done stories on Steve Sandalis.
Partial list of TV and Movie Roles:
Himself on the Discovery Channel TV Show "The Undetectables" (2005)
Steve Johnson in Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)
Sergeant in "Outta Time" (2002)
Hawke in "Santira" (2002)
Buffalo Thunder in "Christmas in the Clouds" (2001)
Roman Soldier in "The Emissary: A Biblical Epic" (1997)
John in "Erotic Confessions" (1994) Episode: "Off the Menu"(1996)
Personal life
Steve grew up on Long IslandLong Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and is a graduate of Commack High School South in 1986. He has also lived in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
before moving to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where he lives in Encino. Steve met his future wife
Wife
A wife is a female partner in a marriage. The rights and obligations of the wife regarding her spouse and others, and her status in the community and in law, varies between cultures and has varied over time.-Origin and etymology:...
Katy Wallin in 1996 while doing promotional work. Katy is a casting
Casting
In metalworking, casting involves pouring liquid metal into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowing it to cool and solidify. The solidified part is also known as a casting, which is ejected or broken out of the mold to complete the process...
agent. Steve and Katy were married in 1998. They have a son named Stefan in born2001.