Through the Years: Steve Harvey

Highlights from the comedian's rise.

Born to Be Funny - Born in  1957 in Welch, West Virginia, Steve Harvey moves to Cleveland, Ohio in the 1970's. After graduating high school, he attends both Kent State and West Virginia University. In 1985, he becomes a comedian after working as an insurance saleman and a mail man. (Photo: SAGA /Landov)

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Born to Be Funny - In honor of Think Like a Man, in theaters this Friday, BET.com is taking a look at the career of Steve Harvey.  Born in 1957 in Welch, West Virginia, Steve Harvey moves to Cleveland in the 1970s. After graduating high school, he attends both Kent State and West Virginia University. In 1985, he becomes a comedian after working as an insurance salesman and a mail man. (Photo: SAGA /Landov)

Ready For Primetime: - Following Steve Harvey's big break, hosting It's Showtime at the Apollo (1993-2000), he made inroads into TV stardom. First up was his starring lead in the short-lived series, Me and the Boys in 1994, which ran one season.  He finally landed success with The Steve Harvey Show, which ran from 1996 to 2002. Popular among its African-American audience, the show won multiple NAACP Image Awards.(Photo: Courtesy WB)

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Ready For Primetime - Following Steve Harvey's big break, hosting It's Showtime at the Apollo (1993-2000), he made inroads into TV stardom. First up was his starring lead in the short-lived series Me and the Boys in 1994, which ran one season. He finally landed success with The Steve Harvey Show, which ran from 1996 to 2002. Popular among its African-American audience, the show won multiple NAACP Image Awards.(Photo: Courtesy WB)

A King Among Kings - In 1997, Steve Harvey was one fourth of the groundbreaking  Kings of Comedy tour which, grossing $19 million in 1998, became the highest-grossing comedy tour in history. In 1999, director Spike Lee filmed the tour for a major film release titled The Original Kings of Comedy (2000). Follwing the film's success Steve Harvey begins to break into the mainstream. (Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

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A King Among Kings - In 1997, Steve Harvey was one-fourth of the groundbreaking Kings of Comedy tour, which, grossing $19 million in 1998, became the highest-grossing comedy tour in history. In 1999, director Spike Lee filmed the tour for a major film release titled The Original Kings of Comedy (2000). Following the film's success Steve Harvey begins to break into the mainstream. (Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Steve Harvey Hits the Silver Screen - Now an actor, Steve Harvey takes his talents to the movies, landing small roles in the films The Fighting Temptations and Love Don't Cost A Thing, both released in 2003.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Steve Harvey Hits the Silver Screen - Now an actor, Steve Harvey takes his talent to the movies, landing small roles in the films The Fighting Temptations and Love Don't Cost a Thing, both released in 2003.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Honoring the Best in Comedy - Now a comedic heavyweight, Steve Harvey hosts the inaugurual BET Comedy Awards in 2004. The show honors excellence among African American comedians.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Honoring the Best in Comedy - Now a comedic heavyweight, Steve Harvey hosts the inaugural BET Comedy Awards in 2004. The show honors excellence among African-American comedians.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Conquering the World with Satire - Taking his hosting duties a step further, Harvey used his platform as host of the 2005 BET Comedy Awards to criticize President George W. Bush. In a skit set in ancient Rome, Harvey played a gladiator sentencing a Bush look-a-like to a whooping for mishandling Hurricane Katrina. Needless to say, there was much conservative backlash for the skit.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

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Conquering the World With Satire - Taking his hosting duties a step further, Harvey used his platform as host of the 2005 BET Comedy Awards to criticize President George W. Bush. In a skit set in ancient Rome, Harvey played a gladiator sentencing a Bush look-a-like to a whooping for mishandling Hurricane Katrina. Needless to say, there was much conservative backlash for the skit.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Steve Harvey Wakes You Up - In 2000, Steve Harvey made another media leap, this time to radio, hosting the syndicated (and extremely popular) weekday-morning radio program, "The Steve Harvey Morning Show."  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Steve Harvey Wakes You Up - In 2000, Steve Harvey made another media leap, this time to radio, hosting the syndicated (and extremely popular) weekday-morning radio program "The Steve Harvey Morning Show."  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Reaching the Pinnacle - After being honored by the Trumpet Awards in January 2010 with their highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, Steve Harvey accepted the award with a heartfelt and tearful speech. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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Reaching the Pinnacle - After being honored by the Trumpet Awards in January 2010 with their highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, Steve Harvey accepted the award with a heartfelt and tearful speech.(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

A Man for Humanity - For his impactful work, mentoring young people on building their talents and personal strengths, Steve Harvey received a humanitarian award at the 2011 BET Awards.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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A Man for Humanity - For his impactful work, mentoring young people on building their talents and personal strengths, Steve Harvey received a humanitarian award at the 2011 BET Awards.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Celebration of Gospel - The veteran comedian will return for his 12th year to host BET's Celebration of Gospel, which airs Sunday, April 1 at 8PM.  (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Celebration of Gospel - The veteran comedian returned for his 12th year to host BET's Celebration of Gospel, which aired on Sunday, April 1.   (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Photo By Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Schooling Folks On Love - In 2009, Steve Harvey became a bestselling author and relationship guru when his book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man became a runaway hit. The film adaptation of the book, titled Think Like a Man, will hit theaters in April 2012. Harvey caused a stir when, while promoting his tome, he advised women not to date atheists.(Photo: Courtesy Amistad Publishing)

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Schooling Folks on Love - In 2009, Steve Harvey became a best-selling author and relationship guru when his book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man became a runaway hit. The film adaptation of the book, titled Think Like a Man, will hit theaters this Friday. The film stars Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy and more.  (Photo: Courtesy Amistad Publishing)