Catching up with Harvey Stephens who portrayed Damien in ‘The Omen’

THE OMEN was an American/British horror film that was released in theaters in June of 1976. The movie received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office hit grossing more than 60 million in the United States and was named one of the top movies of that year. Harvey Spencer Stephens portrayed demon seed child Damien Thorne who was switched at birth with a baby who died. The father, an ambassador was aware that he was taking home the spawn of the devil but his wife initially was clueless.

Numerous accidents and tragic deaths began taking place around young Damien and it was eventually revealed that he was the anti-Christ. Stephens was only four years old when chosen for the part, and prior to filming, he was required to have his blond hair dyed dark brown. During an interview with AMC, the movie’s director Richard Donner said young Stephens was given the role after he invited the youth to attack him. Donner said that Stephens began punching him and hitting him in the testicles for good measure.

Harvey Spencer Stephens was born in Putney London England on November 12, 1970. He achieved worldwide fame at the age of six after being cast in the role of Damien Thorne. For many years afterward when children misbehaved they were often referred to as "Damien". Stephens received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture – Male for his role in THE OMEN. THE OMEN earned two Oscar nominations and won Jerry Goldsmith his only Oscar for Best Original Score.

A scene from the film became #16 on Bravo's The 100 Scariest Movie Moments. As Damien, Harvey Stephens chilled movie audiences to the bone and many believed this character guaranteed the actor would go on to bigger and better roles. He did star in a TV movie in 1980 titled GAUGUIN THE SAVAGE and in 2006 he had the role of Tabloid Reporter #3 in a remake of THE OMEN. A prequel is in the works that is supposed to explain the origin of the devil child.

This was his last known acting role but Stephens has been in a number of television programs as himself including HOWARD STERN ON DEMAND in 2008 and HOLLYWOOD TREASURE in 2010. The actor said appears at autograph signings and horror conventions "with my tricycle."He is currently 50 years old and working as a property developer.

Perhaps there is a little bit of Damien in Stephens after all based on an August 21, 2016, road rage altercation he was involved in. Two cyclists Alex Manley and Mark Richardson were at Toys Hill, Westerham, Kent when Stephens repeatedly blew his horn as they traveled separately and then side by side as one overtook the other. Richarson gave the actor a middle finger at which point Stephens got out of his vehicle and punched Richardson knocking him out.

When Manley tried to assist the unconscious cyclist Stephens asked if he wanted some too then punched Manley twice in the face. Stephens held him down and continued punching him repeatedly and even dented his helmet. On 13 January 2017, the man who portrayed Damian was given a suspended sentence. After getting out of his car, Stephens punched Richardson, knocking him unconscious, which prompted Manley to intervene. Stephens responded by asking Manley: “You want some, do you?” before punching him twice in the face.

This caused Manley to fall back with his bicycle still between his legs. Stephens then held him down and punched him six or seven times, inflicting dental injuries and damaging his helmet. In 2017, at Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Martin Joy sentenced the man who portrayed Damian to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, for causing actual bodily harm. Harvey Stephens was also ordered to "undergo rehabilitation, perform 150 hours of unpaid work, pay compensation of £1,000 to each victim, and an extra £120 to Mr Manley for his damaged helmet".