The Steve Harvey Show (1996) Cast Reveals What Most Fan Never Figured Out | HO!!!!

When The Steve Harvey Show debuted on The WB in 1996, it quickly became a staple of Black sitcom television. For six seasons and 122 episodes, audiences tuned in to laugh at the misadventures of Mr. Steve Hightower, a washed-up funk singer turned high school music teacher, and his quirky ensemble of students and staff.

But behind the bright classroom, catchy jokes, and positive messages, the cast lived through a series of real-life dramas, heartbreaks, and secrets that most fans never figured out—until now.

A Sitcom Built on Real-Life Hardship

The show’s star, Steve Harvey, brought much more than comedic timing to his role as Mr. Hightower. Before fame, Harvey spent three grueling years homeless, living out of a battered 1976 Ford Tempo.

He showered at gas stations and highway rest stops, scraping together enough for a sandwich a day while writing jokes in a battered notebook. “I cried in that car many times,” Harvey later admitted, “not because I was weak, but because I was afraid I’d die there before anyone ever knew who I was.”

This struggle forged Harvey’s resilience and authenticity, qualities that shaped both his character and the show’s spirit. Few fans realized that the sitcom’s premise—a fallen star finding redemption in a high school classroom—was a thinly veiled reflection of Harvey’s own journey from rock bottom to the spotlight.

Levita Jenkins: The Character Who Almost Disappeared

Terry J. Vaughn’s portrayal of Levita Jenkins, the school’s witty secretary, became one of the show’s most beloved elements. But in the original script, Levita was meant to be a minor, short-lived role.

Producers planned to write her out after a few episodes, but Vaughn’s chemistry with Cedric the Entertainer (Cedric Robinson) was undeniable. Audiences responded so strongly that her character was rewritten and expanded, eventually earning Vaughn three consecutive NAACP Image Awards.

Levita Jenkins is now remembered as the soul of the series, proof that Hollywood luck—and one actor’s spark—can rewrite history.

Romeo Santana: A Rising Star’s Tragic End

Of all the cast’s stories, none is more heartbreaking than that of Merlin Santana, who played Romeo, the smooth-talking heartthrob of Hightower’s class. Santana, a Dominican-American actor, began his career on The Cosby Show before landing roles in Moesha, Sister, Sister, and, most memorably, The Steve Harvey Show. Fans and colleagues were convinced he was destined for stardom.

But on November 9, 2002, tragedy struck. After leaving a friend’s home in Los Angeles, Santana was ambushed and fatally shot in the head. He was only 26. The shooter was later convicted, but the loss of Santana left a wound that never healed for the cast and fans.

Steve Harvey described him as “one of those rare young talents…life was just too unfair.” Terry J. Vaughn recalled, “We always saw Merlin as the baby brother of the family. His death left a hole that nothing can ever fill.”

Romeo became immortalized on screen—forever young, forever charming—a legacy cut short by senseless violence.

Comedy, Controversy, and Accusations

The show’s success was not without controversy. In a bombshell interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, comedian Katt Williams accused Steve Harvey of stealing the premise for The Steve Harvey Show from the earlier sitcom Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997). Both shows featured a fallen Black celebrity returning to teach in a high school, surrounded by mischievous students.

Fans and media quickly compared scenes and characters, fueling debate. Harvey fired back, “Everybody in comedy is inspired by somebody. But my show, that’s my life on screen. Ain’t nobody lived Steve Harvey’s life but me.” The controversy never fully faded, leaving a question mark over the show’s creative legacy.

Unequal Paychecks and Power Dynamics

While The Steve Harvey Show was a career launchpad for Harvey, life wasn’t as glamorous for the supporting cast. Harvey reportedly earned $20,000–$30,000 per episode, while co-stars made just $2,000–$5,000. Wendy Raquel Robinson (Principal Regina Greer) once hinted, “Sometimes I felt like a shadow. Audiences loved Regina, but the contract showed me who the real center of the show was.”

Terry J. Vaughn admitted she often had little bargaining power. “Whatever the script gave me, I played it. And the paycheck? Well, I just had to accept it.” Compared to white sitcoms like Friends or Seinfeld, where cast members negotiated million-dollar salaries, the disparity was stark—a reflection of Hollywood’s systemic inequalities.

Creative Tension and Network Pressure

Despite the on-screen chemistry, the cast faced creative challenges. The WB Network, then a small player competing with NBC, CBS, and ABC, pushed for safe, advertiser-friendly storylines. Scripts that tackled deeper social issues were often scrapped. One episode about race and education was reportedly shelved for being “too heavy.”

Behind the scenes, Harvey had substantial control over scripts and production, sometimes leaving other cast members feeling sidelined. Robinson and Vaughn both described the show as a blessing and a box—one that locked them into comedic, sassy roles, making it hard to break out in future projects.

Laughter, Improvisation, and Brotherhood

For all the drama, the set was also full of laughter. William Lee Scott (Bullethead) recalled Harvey improvising jokes so funny the cast broke down laughing, forcing multiple retakes. Merlin Santana (Romeo) was known for mischief, often hiding props or switching lines. Harvey himself said, “Half the success of the sitcom came from improvisation. The audience thought we were acting, but a lot of the time we were just cracking each other up.”

Cedric the Entertainer described his relationship with Harvey as “brothers,” a bond that kept the show alive for six seasons.

Community Impact and Hollywood Oversight

Despite its popularity and repeated NAACP Image Awards, The Steve Harvey Show was snubbed by mainstream Hollywood. It never received a single Emmy nomination, while white-led sitcoms like Friends and Frasier dominated awards season. Fans saw this as proof of Hollywood’s bias, treating Black sitcoms as second-tier entertainment.

Harvey responded bluntly, “We never needed Emmy to know our worth. Our people laughed. Our people saw themselves in us. That’s the award that mattered.”

Where Are They Now? The Cast’s Lives and Net Worth

More than two decades since the show ended, the cast’s lives have taken different turns:

Steve Harvey is now a television mogul, hosting Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, and Judge Steve Harvey, with a net worth estimated at $200 million.

Cedric the Entertainer stars in CBS’s The Neighborhood, runs a barbecue brand, and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. His net worth is around $25 million.

Wendy Raquel Robinson found success in The Game and founded the Amazing Grace Conservatory, a nonprofit arts academy. Her net worth is about $4 million.

Terry J. Vaughn is a producer, director, and mother of three, with a net worth between $2–$4 million.

William Lee Scott continues acting in film and TV, living a quiet family life.

Merlin Santana is remembered as a tragic loss, his legacy living on in the hearts of fans.

A Legacy of Laughter, Pain, and Resilience

Behind the scenes, The Steve Harvey Show was more than just a sitcom. It was a story of perseverance, injustice, brotherhood, and tragedy. It shaped a generation’s view of education, friendship, and ambition in the Black community. Though overlooked by Hollywood, it remains a cultural landmark—validated not by trophies, but by the laughter and memories of millions.

For fans who grew up with Mr. Hightower, Levita, Romeo, and the rest, the true story is bittersweet: the cast endured real pain and triumph, leaving behind a legacy that’s far richer—and more complicated—than anyone ever saw on screen.