Stephen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and at age eight moved to Dayton, where he graduated from Meadowdale High School. Following graduation, Stephen moved to Los Angeles after passing up an art scholarship to Ohio State University, to join the Self-Realization Fellowship Center with the intention of becoming a monk. Three years later, Stephen turned to acting, and studied at the Los Angeles City College Theater Academy.

After City College, he appeared in numerous stage productions in Los Angeles, performing in such plays as Delirious, The Cage, Love Letters, Death of a Salesman and Pieces of Time. One of his favorite productions was The Lizard King, in which he portrayed Jim Morrison during the last 36 hours of his life. Each of these performances garnered him L.A. Weekly and DramaLogue Awards.

Stephen's first feature film was Choices, with Demi Moore; and he went on to appear in many films, including Witchboard, Soapdish; Cover Me, with Paul Sorvino and Rick Rossovich; and A Hard Rain, with John Mahoney. Most recently, he has appeared in Good Vibrations, with Michael York and Beverly D'Angelo; The Glass Cage, with Eric Roberts; and Phoenix, with Brad Dourif.

Television credits include guest appearances on L.A. Law, Sisters, The Nanny, Melrose Place, Diagnosis Murder, and the miniseries, Around the World in 80 Days with Pierce Brosnan, in which he played outlaw Jesse James. Stephen received an Emmy nomination for his role on the serial, Days of Our Lives, and had recurring roles on the series, Empty Nest and Second Chances.

Stephen, his wife Lisa, and their three children, Vanessa, Aaron and Dylan, reside in Los Angeles.