American actor (1951–2022)

Morgan Stevens (October 16, 1951 – c. January 26, 2022) was an American actor, primarily seen on television.

Biography

Stevens played Paul Northridge in one episode of The Waltons and in three reunion movies. In A Wedding on Walton's Mountain, Northridge married Erin Walton (Mary Elizabeth McDonough), and appeared in two subsequent movies, Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain and A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain. He was Sam Stodder (John-Boy's hospital roommate) in another episode.

Stevens portrayed teacher David Reardon in two seasons of Fame (1982–1984). He then became Jack Gardner in the miniseries and subsequent series A Year in the Life (1986–1988). In 1995, he appeared in seven episodes of Melrose Place as Nick Diamond.

Stevens made guest appearances on several television programs, including One Day at a Time, Murder One, and Murder, She Wrote (in three episodes as three characters). His last was as Principal Max Hanson in a 1999 episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.

In 1989, his career was halted for a few years when Stevens was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a mild car accident (a blood test later cleared him) and he was severely beaten by the LAPD police while in custody. Stevens claimed that after 90 minutes of waiting in a jail cell, he refused to hand back the shirt that was given, which is when two jailers kicked and beat him over two dozen times. Stevens suffered a dislocated jaw, a fractured cheek and nerve damage. He later sued and an out-of-court settlement was reached with his lawyers stating that the LAPD was unwilling to risk the publicity of a trial in the wake of the Rodney King case.

Stevens was found dead in his Los Angeles kitchen, aged 70, by police conducting a wellness check after a few socially inactive days. The coroner later ruled he died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

References

External links

• Morgan Stevens at IMDb