Leslie Stevens
Encyclopedia
Leslie Clark Stevens III (February 3, 1924 – April 24, 1998) was the creator of the cult TV series
The Outer Limits
(1963–1965) and director of the cult horror film Incubus (1966), starring William Shatner
. He wrote an early work of New Age
philosophy, Est: The Steersman Handbook
(1970).
His interest in science was sparked when he studied for Annapolis at the behest of his father, Leslie Clark Stevens Jr., an admiral
in the United States Navy
. But the Broadway
theater intrigued him more than a military career, and he headed for New York as a fledging writer. He wrote the Broadway comedy The Marriage-Go-Round
, which he adapted to the screen, and produced, as a starring vehicle for Susan Hayward
in 1961. He wrote the screenplay for the film The Left Handed Gun
(1958) directed by Arthur Penn
and starring Paul Newman
.
Other films which Stevens produced, and directed and wrote included Hero's Island (1962) starring James Mason
, and Private Property
(1960) starring Warren Oates
. In television, he created the series The Outer Limits
, which he supervised as executive producer and wrote or directed a handful of episodes. He also directed the feature film Incubus (1966).
He was writer, director and executive producer of the pilot film and major episodes of It Takes a Thief and McCloud, wrote and produced installments for the series The Invisible Man
and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
, and produced the 1st season Tony Franciosa episodes of The Name of the Game
. He was also Supervising Producer of the original science fiction film Battlestar Galactica: The Saga of a Star-World
(1978), and the short-lived NBC
science fiction series Search
(1972–1973) (about futuristic, high-tech secret agents).
Stevens also wrote for the revival show of The Outer Limits
between 1996 and 1997, and wrote the play The Lovers
, which became the film The War Lord
, along with producing the pilots for Battlestar Galactica
and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)
The Outer Limits is an American television series that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1965. The series is similar in style to the earlier The Twilight Zone, but with a greater emphasis on science fiction, rather than fantasy stories...
(1963–1965) and director of the cult horror film Incubus (1966), starring William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
. He wrote an early work of New Age
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
philosophy, Est: The Steersman Handbook
Est: The Steersman Handbook
est: The Steersman Handbook, Charts of the Coming Decade of Conflict is a work of science fiction cast as a nonfictional study. Its author, credited as L. Clark Stevens, usually went by the name Leslie Stevens. Stevens has a long list of credits in the entertainment industry, having worked on,...
(1970).
Early life and career
Leslie Stevens was born in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
His interest in science was sparked when he studied for Annapolis at the behest of his father, Leslie Clark Stevens Jr., an admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. But the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
theater intrigued him more than a military career, and he headed for New York as a fledging writer. He wrote the Broadway comedy The Marriage-Go-Round
The Marriage-Go-Round
The Marriage-Go-Round is a 1958 play written by Leslie Stevens and a 1961 film adaptation also written and produced by Stevens. It was inspired by a suggestion that dancer Isadora Duncan supposedly made to playwright George Bernard Shaw: the two of them should have a child because "with your mind...
, which he adapted to the screen, and produced, as a starring vehicle for Susan Hayward
Susan Hayward
Susan Hayward was an American actress.After working as a fashion model in New York, Hayward travelled to Hollywood in 1937 when open auditions were held for the leading role in Gone with the Wind . Although she was not selected, she secured a film contract, and played several small supporting...
in 1961. He wrote the screenplay for the film The Left Handed Gun
The Left Handed Gun
The Left Handed Gun is a 1958 American western film and the film directorial debut of Arthur Penn, starring Paul Newman as Billy the Kid and John Dehner as Pat Garrett...
(1958) directed by Arthur Penn
Arthur Penn
Arthur Hiller Penn was an American film director and producer with a career as a theater director as well. Penn amassed a critically acclaimed body of work throughout the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:...
and starring Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
.
Other films which Stevens produced, and directed and wrote included Hero's Island (1962) starring James Mason
James Mason
James Neville Mason was an English actor who attained stardom in both British and American films. Mason remained a powerful figure in the industry throughout his career and was nominated for three Academy Awards as well as three Golden Globes .- Early life :Mason was born in Huddersfield, in the...
, and Private Property
Private property
Private property is the right of persons and firms to obtain, own, control, employ, dispose of, and bequeath land, capital, and other forms of property. Private property is distinguishable from public property, which refers to assets owned by a state, community or government rather than by...
(1960) starring Warren Oates
Warren Oates
Warren Mercer Oates was an American actor best known for his performances in several films directed by Sam Peckinpah including The Wild Bunch and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia...
. In television, he created the series The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)
The Outer Limits is an American television series that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1965. The series is similar in style to the earlier The Twilight Zone, but with a greater emphasis on science fiction, rather than fantasy stories...
, which he supervised as executive producer and wrote or directed a handful of episodes. He also directed the feature film Incubus (1966).
He was writer, director and executive producer of the pilot film and major episodes of It Takes a Thief and McCloud, wrote and produced installments for the series The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man (1975 TV series)
The Invisible Man, the second television series with this title, debuted in 1975 on NBC and starred David McCallum as scientist Daniel Westin, and Melinda Fee as his wife, Dr. Kate Westin. The series was created by legendary producer Harve Bennett.-Cast:...
and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
, and produced the 1st season Tony Franciosa episodes of The Name of the Game
The Name of the Game (TV series)
The Name of the Game is an American television series starring Tony Franciosa, Gene Barry, and Robert Stack that ran from 1968 to 1971 on NBC, totaling 76 episodes of 90 minutes. It was a pioneering wheel series, setting the stage for the likes of The Bold Ones and the NBC Mystery Movie in the 1970s...
. He was also Supervising Producer of the original science fiction film Battlestar Galactica: The Saga of a Star-World
Saga of a Star World
"Saga of a Star World" is the pilot for the American science fiction television series of Battlestar Galactica which was produced in 1978 by Glen A. Larson...
(1978), and the short-lived NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
science fiction series Search
Search (TV series)
Search is an American science fiction series that aired on Wednesday nights on NBC at 10 pm ET, from September 1972 to August 1973. It ran for 23 episodes, not including the two-hour pilot film originally titled Probe. When picked up for series production, the title had to be changed because Probe...
(1972–1973) (about futuristic, high-tech secret agents).
Stevens also wrote for the revival show of The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)
The Outer Limits is an American television series that originally aired on Showtime,the Sci Fi Channel and in syndication between 1995 and 2002...
between 1996 and 1997, and wrote the play The Lovers
The Lovers
The Lovers is the sixth trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks. It is used in game playing as well as in divination.- Interpretation :...
, which became the film The War Lord
The War Lord
The War Lord is a 1965 film starring Charlton Heston, Richard Boone, Rosemary Forsyth, Guy Stockwell, Maurice Evans, Niall MacGinnis, Henry Wilcoxon and James Farentino, with Jon Alderson, Allen Jaffe, Sammy Ross, and Woodrow Parfrey. The film was directed by the future Oscar winning Director...
, along with producing the pilots for Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
.
Marriages
Stevens was married to:- Kate Manx (Kathrynne B. Myrolie), actress (11 May 1958–1964) (divorced, one son)
- Allyson Ames, actress ( ? – 1966), appearing in many of his film and television productions
- Yolanda Stevens (Kocourkova) (? – ?)(two daughters)
- Shakti Chen, actress (? – 24 April 1998) his death