Page 12 - MidWeek - March 24, 2021

12 MIDWEEK MARCH 24, 2021
Staying “sharp” with Stephen Hill (center) are fellow iaido practitioners Jesse Cohen (at left) and Raymond Luong.
Cover photo: Melody Levy (makeup artist) and Julia Gadiana (hairstylist)
Actor Stephen Hill is always at the top of his game — whether it’s practicing the Japanese martial art of iaido, or soaring above the clouds as high-character pilot “TC” Calvin on the TV series Magnum P.I.
I actually was flown some- where to work on a project and was given housing,” he explains. “We were there for three months, and were sup- posed to be there for longer, but they pulled the project. But it’s still a big break be- cause it was produced by Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Ed Norton, and that was amaz- ing. Even though it didn’t come out, I would say it was a highlight because, for me, being on Luke Cage, I love Marvel stuff. I used to collect comic books as a kid, and I still do every once in a while. You can’t keep me out of a comic book shop or a book- store. So, that was a big one.”
When Stephen Hill touched down in Hawai‘i in 2018 to film the pilot episode of Magnum P.I., it was his first visit to the Aloha State. Little did he know at the time how much of an impact the is- lands would have on his life.
time between Willingboro, New Jersey, and New York, following his parents’ di- vorce when he was just 2. He graduated from Willing- boro High School, where he played football and ran track, and enjoyed many hobbies, including drawing, dancing, cooking and landscaping.
dividuals, it really let me know that I could make it,” he explains. “To see people from a little small town like that — it’s actually possible.”
“I just so wish she was here — not for me being able to say, ‘Look Mom!’ but just (because) I would love to (have) spoil(ed) her,” he says.
As for Magnum P.I., he says it’s been “a life-chang- ing opportunity, and my goal has been to just really give it my all because I know it could have legs that are very long.”
“Magnum, definitely, has been life changing in a lot of different ways other than just my career,” says Hill, who’s cast in the role of Theodore “TC” Calvin, a military vet- eran who flies helicopters. “I try to not take anything for granted and I’ m just very grateful for being here.”
He attributes his moti- vation to succeed to sever- al other Willingboro High alumni, namely Olympian track star Carl Lewis, musi- cians Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men and Ryan Toby of the R&B trio City High, and re- cord producer “Megahertz” of Bad Boy for Life.
Hill went on to Hampton University with the intention of studying cinematography, only to learn that the school didn’t offer it anymore, so he switched to photography and mass media. He also started modeling, and after college, became a salesman for Xe- rox while also working at B. Smith’s Restaurant in New York. During that time, his mom died, which was a turning point for him in de- ciding to pursue his dream as an actor.
Hill started taking classes with renowned acting coach Susan Batson and eventually landed his first speaking role (not counting commercials) on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He admits his journey into showbiz hasn’t been easy. There were a cou- ple of times when he almost quit, but he kept going and finally got what he calls his biggest break: Lewis and Clark.
Looking ahead, Hill hopes to do more film and televi- sion, as well as indie work. His dream role, of course, would be to play a superhe- ro with super powers, and would love to find roles in the Star Wars, Marvel and DC universes.
Born in New York, Hill spent his childhood splitting
“Between those four in-
“That was the first time
“But you know, it’s hap- pening right now (with Mag- num P.I.). TC is a superhero,” he says about the character he plays in the show. “I have the
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