Born on the fourth of July, Stephen Boyd seemed like an all-American guy with his curly locks, built bod, and charming dimple. Yet the 6’ stunner actually hailed from Northern Ireland. Indeed, the wind was at his back when, at the age of 25, he signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to come to America. Soon the handsome hottie was sizzling on the silver screen in the Westerns The Bravados (1958) alongside Gregory Peck and Shalako (1968) starring Sean Connery. In between, Stephen could be seen in the sword and sandal pics Imperial Venus (1962) with Gina Lollobrigida and The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) opposite Sophia Loren. He proceeded to reveal his range in the exotic adventure Genghis Khan (1965), the melodrama The Oscar (1966), the sci-fi flick Fantastic Voyage (1966), and the thriller Assignment K (1968). Yet we’re more turned on by Boyd’s topless turn in the Oscar-winning film Ben Hur (1959). William Wyler’s religious epic features Charlton Heston, Haya Harareet, and Stephen’s chiseled chest. Amen to that! As Messala, the shirtless actor shows off his villainous side as well as his sweaty pecs! If that’s not arousing enough, the glistening man flaunts his muscular gams! No wonder why Boyd bagged a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. The Hollywood hunk was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in the musical Billy Rose’s Jumbo (1962). But in 1977, the 45-year-old star died while golfing with his wife. What a player.
