You’ve probably heard of Jane Powell. She was the quintessential girl-next-door of Hollywood’s Golden Age, a powerhouse soprano who held her own next to Howard Keel and danced with Fred Astaire. But while her life was lived under the harsh glow of studio lights, her firstborn son, Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III, chose a path that was remarkably quiet by comparison.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mystery for most fans of classic cinema. You see these photos of Jane, beaming with her newborn in 1951, and then... not much. In an era where "nepo babies" are the subject of constant scrutiny, Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III—often referred to as Geary III—is a rare example of someone who stayed away from the red carpets.
The Hollywood Legacy He Was Born Into
To understand Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III, you have to look at the whirlwind world he entered on July 21, 1951. His mother was at the height of her fame. His father, Gearhardt Anthony "Geary" Steffen Jr., wasn't just some random guy, either. He was a champion figure skater and a former partner to the legendary Sonja Henie.
They were a "Golden Couple."
The wedding in 1949 had been a massive affair in Los Angeles. When Geary III arrived two years later, he was basically Hollywood royalty. But the "perfect" family image didn't last long. By 1953, Jane Powell and Geary Steffen Jr. were divorced. That's a lot for a toddler to go through, especially with the tabloids of the 50s watching every move.
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Actually, it’s worth noting that his father eventually became a very successful insurance agent in Malibu after his skating and acting days ended. This shift from entertainment to "regular" business might have set the tone for the younger Gearhardt’s own life.
Growing Up as Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III
Life in the Steffen-Powell household (which eventually became the Powell-Nelson and then the Powell-Denton household) was complicated. Gearhardt grew up with a sister, Suzanne "Sissy" Ilene Steffen, and later, half-siblings from his parents' subsequent marriages.
Most people expect the children of MGM stars to follow the script. You go to the right parties. You try to get a bit part in a movie. You eventually write a "Mommie Dearest" style tell-all.
Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III did none of that.
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Instead of chasing the ghost of his mother’s fame, he lived a life that was, by all accounts, grounded. Sources close to the family and public records suggest he remained in California for much of his life, maintaining a relationship with his mother even as she moved through various marriages and career shifts. When Jane Powell passed away in 2021, the loss was felt by her children privately, far from the cameras that had documented her life since she was a teenager.
Misconceptions and Name Confusion
If you search for "Gearhardt Anthony Steffen," you’re going to run into a massive amount of confusion. It’s a mess, frankly.
- The Boxer: There was a famous lightweight champion named Willie Ritchie. His real name? Gerhardt Anthony Steffen. He was the grandfather (Geary Sr.).
- The Skater: The father was Gearhardt Anthony Steffen Jr. He was the lieutenant in the 10th Mountain Division and the guy who married Jane Powell.
- The Son: Our subject, Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III.
People constantly conflate the three. You’ll see articles claiming the son of Jane Powell was a world-class boxer in the 1910s. Unless he had a time machine, that’s impossible. Geary III lived a modern life, one that didn't involve 20-round bouts in London or being a "Partisan" in WWII like some of his namesakes.
A Quiet Exit and Final Years
Sadly, many members of the public only rediscovered Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III when news of his passing surfaced. He passed away in 2022, just a year after his mother.
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He was 71.
It was a quiet end to a life that started with so much public fanfare. There were no major Hollywood tributes, no front-page obituaries in the trades. Just a family mourning a man who happened to have a very famous mother.
Why does this matter? Because it reminds us that fame isn't hereditary. It’s a choice. Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III seemingly chose the opposite of his mother’s "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" lifestyle. He chose privacy.
What We Can Learn From the Steffen Family
If you’re researching the Steffen family tree or Jane Powell’s personal history, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, check the dates. If you see "1891," you're looking at the boxer. If you see "1923," you're looking at the father.
Second, appreciate the nuance. It’s easy to assume every child of a star is a tragic figure or a spoiled socialite. Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III lived through the Hollywood system without being consumed by it.
Actionable Insights for Researchers:
- Verify the Suffix: Always look for the "III" or "Jr" or "Sr" when looking through California birth and death indexes.
- Consult Official Obituaries: For the most accurate family timelines, look at the memorials for Jane Powell (2021) and Geary Steffen Jr. (2004).
- Separate the Myth: Don't let the "Willie Ritchie" boxing stats bleed into the biography of the 1950s-born Gearhardt. They are two different eras of California history.
Living as Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III meant carrying a name with a lot of weight—from the boxing ring to the ice rink to the silver screen. In the end, his legacy is one of successful anonymity in a world obsessed with being seen.