Whatever Happened to Parker Stevenson From ‘The Hardy Boys’?
Growing up, I was a big fan of Parker Stevenson. However, if I have to be completely truthful, it wasn’t his entire resume that made me a fan. No, I was just excited to see Parker, alongside Shaun Cassidy, bring the Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe, to life on television.
The reason for my excitement? Whenever my father would travel for work, he would bring me back one of the books in the Hardy Boys series, along with a TV Guide Magazine from wherever he was traveling. So, when The Hardy Boys, along with Nancy Drew, debuted on ABC in 1977, I was all in.
And when Parker and Shaun were on the cover of Dynamite magazine, I knew the show was a hit. Long before the internet and social media, Dynamite let us kids know what was truly important and trending.
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries ran from 1977 to 1979, totaling three seasons. The third season, however, was cut short by the network’s cancellation of the show midway through the season. I remember being pretty bummed out when I read that it had been canceled; but even back then, I understood that TV shows don’t run forever, and a three-season run wasn’t bad.
And of course, Parker, Shaun, and Pamela Sue Martin all moved on to bigger and better things.
Shaun Cassidy, Pamela Sue Martin and Parker Stevenson. Everett Collection
Parker’s journey to another full-time recurring role on television would take a while. However, that didn’t mean he didn’t find work. He guest-starred on various TV shows like The Love Boat and Hotel. And although it wasn’t Burt Reynolds’ biggest hit movie, I also remember him in the 1983 good ol’ boy racing comedy Stroker Ace,which, along with Parker, also featured Ned Beatty, Jim Nabors and Loni Anderson.
After scoring a recurring role in 1985 on Falcon Crest, Parker started to land even cooler gigs, including his very own TV show in 1988 called Probe. Then, a year later, he appeared as Craig Pomeroy in the first season of Baywatch. It was a role that he would return to years later after the show moved from NBC to syndication.
Everett Collection
It was during the early eighties that Parker also fell in love with Cheers actress Kirstie Alley. Their marriage would last for 15 years and produce two great kids, both of whom are now adults.
Upon her passing in 2022, Parker said on Instagram: “Dear Kirstie – I am so grateful for our years together and for the two incredibly beautiful children and now grandchildren that we have. You will be missed. With love, Parker”
Credit: Diane Freed/Getty Images
While continuing to act, Parker found love once again a few years back and remarried; Lisa Schoen won his heart with the most amazing chicken noodle soup that he’d ever eaten. Lisa is something of a celebrity herself, having appeared in cooking segments on various morning network television shows. She also has her very own YouTube channel that you absolutely need to check out.
Parker continues to work in the entertainment industry. A few years back, he found himself once again working alongside everyone’s favorite girl detective, Pamela Sue Martin, in the holiday romance My Christmas Prince. I’ve got to say, it was just so much fun to see these two actors work together again; yep, after all these years, they’ve still got chemistry. Parker has also been on the Netflix original series Greenhouse Academy, starring as the Academy’s director, Louis Osmond, during the show’s entire four-season run.
Stevenson shared his other passion that keeps him busy while talking about The Hardy Boys’ lasting legacy. “Probably the only thing I can talk about is my photography, which really matters to me,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “You can see it at parkerstevensonshadowworks.com. The truth is, if someone wants to know me, look at my photography. Because my acting work is always a product of a writer and a director and a studio and all these other influences. But my photography is just me — beginning, middle and end.”
The answer to “Whatever happened to Parker Stevenson?” is a simple one: exactly what he planned to do all along. He’s had a bunch of really wonderful roles in an industry that isn’t always known for long careers.
Remind 
1970s Fall TV
September 2023
Take a trip back to the ’70s by looking at the TV Guide Magazine Fall Preview primetime lineups.
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