Steve Harvey breaks down on TV after reuniting with couple who helped him when he was homeless

During a special birthday edition of his talk show "Steve TV Show," Steve Harvey was caught off guard by a live surprise that left him visibly emotional. The segment opened with Harvey saying, "I said no surprises," as a producer apologized, Harvey jokingly said, "That’s what you’re saying to me, Alex? Sorry?" Moments later, the reason for the interruption appeared on a large screen. He further stated that the call was coming in via a satellite from Orlando. "Let's see who it is," Harvey said. As soon as the person appeared on screen, he was stunned. "Hi Steve, this is Rich Liss from Orlando, Florida, and I called you to wish you a happy birthday and ask you one question — do you still love me, baby?" the person said.

Harvey immediately broke down in tears as the audience erupted in applause. "Hey man, I love you, man," he said. "I love you, too, man," Rich replied, equally emotional. "You want to say hi to your girlfriend?" Rich asked. Harvey responded, "Who Becky, there? Hey, Becky." Becky said, "Hi Steve." Liss added, "We love you, buddy. We wish you the best, happy birthday." Harvey then turned toward the audience and began to explain why this call meant so much to him. "I was 26 years old, man. I was struggling. I didn’t have anything. And these people owned the furniture store in Cleveland, and they took me in and gave me my first contract with my little carpet cleaning company," he said. 

He continued, "When I became a comedian at 27, I didn’t have the money to travel. They gave me an account at their travel agency, and man, I ran up a bill — like $11,000 — just trying to travel and make it." "Them people right there," he said, pointing to the screen, "They helped me out." Then, looking back at Liss, he smiled through his tears. "Hey man, I got money now, Rich." "You got money?" he asked. "Matter of fact, hey Rich, I’mma send a plane to pick up you and Becky. I’mma fly y’all to Chicago for the show," Harvey responded, adding, "I’ve been looking for you for years, man," he added. "Found you, baby," Rich replied. They both wished him a happy birthday. Harvey responded, "What you bailed me, man…I never forgot it. Thank you." Both added, "We love you, Steve." "I love you all too, man," Harvey said.

As the call ended, Harvey stood silent for a moment as the audience applauded again. The moment, emotional on its own, also reflects a deeper truth supported by research. A 2009 study involving 544 homeless adults in Toronto found that those who reported higher levels of perceived social support experienced better physical and mental health and faced a lower likelihood of victimization compared to those with weaker support networks.

The audience and the viewers online were equally emotional seeing the heartwarming moment unfold. @howdelydoo pointed out, "The fact that he recognized him immediately after 30 years proves how influential and amazing they were for him. I LOVE IT!!!!!!" @z1ggykh4n1 highlighted, When he said I was 26 struggling, that hit me hard. I’m at the same age and struggling, and just hope someone can help me." @CorvusOfMellori praised the couple, saying, "Rich and Becky are an example of all that is good and right in the world. They were just so happy to wish him a happy birthday. We need more people like them!!"