Stephen was born in Dover New Jersey and lived in Boonton New Jersey most of his life before moving to New Mexico in 1986 with his wife and two children. During this time he tried out with the Dallas Cowboys but was cut from the squad. He was a professional bodyguard for various celebrity rock groups during the eighties and early nineties. At the age of 52 he competed in his first power-lifting meet and made a NM State dead-lift record for his age and weight group. Stephen also studied martial arts and is certified in self-defense. Through out his early years he developed his skills in horseback riding thanks to his late father. Stephen worked in the casino industry for twenty years until 2015 when he started his own business and is pursuing his love of acting. His older brother Michael who pursued the film industry is a retired Stuntman..