If you’ve spent any time following the legendary career of Tony Award-winner Linda Lavin, you’ve definitely seen him. He’s the guy behind the drums during her cabaret sets. He’s the artist captured in photos at high-profile Broadway openings. But for a lot of fans, there is one persistent question that keeps popping up in Google searches and fan forums: how old is Steve Bakunas, exactly?
People get curious because the age gap between the two is often mentioned in passing but rarely detailed with any real precision. It’s one of those Hollywood mysteries that isn't really a mystery if you know where to look, but it definitely sparks a lot of "wait, really?" moments when you dig into the timeline of his life.
The Numbers Game: How Old is Steve Bakunas?
Let’s get the direct answer out of the way first. Steve Bakunas is currently 68 years old. He was born in 1957. While he doesn't broadcast his birthday across social media like some influencers, his age has been a point of interest because he is roughly 20 years younger than his wife, Linda Lavin, who was born in 1937. Honestly, the 20-year difference is something the couple has always been very open about, often using it as a punchline or a point of reflection in their joint performances.
It’s kinda fascinating because when they married back in 2005, people were focused on the numbers. But now, over two decades into their relationship, the age thing feels basically irrelevant. They’ve built a life that’s more about shared creativity than birth years.
A Late Bloomer by Choice
Steve’s story isn’t your typical "child star makes good" narrative. Not even close.
He didn’t even really start "becoming an adult"—his words, not mine—until he hit 40. Before that? He was a wanderer. He grew up as the seventh of nine children in a household where he felt a bit lost in the shuffle. His early life was a chaotic mix of hitchhiking across the country, odd jobs, and a lot of searching for something that felt real.
Think about that for a second. Most people are settled into their careers by 40. Steve was just getting started. He’s been an upholsterer, a bartender, and a carpenter. He even spent a chunk of time in his younger years following a religious path in Portland, Oregon, before eventually finding his way to the stage and the canvas.
More Than Just "The Husband"
It’s easy to label him as a celebrity spouse, but that’s a massive oversimplification. Steve Bakunas is a true polymath. He’s a:
- Jazz Drummer: He frequently accompanies Linda in her club acts.
- Painter: He’s known for a unique performance piece called "Portrait of an Artist," where he literally paints Linda’s portrait while interviewing her live on stage.
- Actor and Director: He’s a fixture in the regional theater scene, particularly in Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Architectural Designer: He literally built the Red Barn Studio Theatre in Wilmington with his own hands.
This variety of skills is probably why he doesn't fit the "aging celebrity" mold. He’s constantly reinventing what he does. When you’re busy building a theater or learning a new drum kit, you don't really have time to worry about how many candles are on the cake.
Why People Get Confused About His Age
There is some weirdly specific misinformation floating around the internet. If you’ve searched for his age before, you might have stumbled upon some AI-generated blogs claiming there's a "Steve Bakunas" who was a baseball player born in 1943.
Let’s clear that up: that is a completely different person. The Steve Bakunas married to Linda Lavin was definitely not playing pro ball in the early 60s. He’s a 1957 baby. The confusion usually stems from low-quality data scrapers that mix up names and dates, which is why you’ll sometimes see results saying he’s in his 80s. He isn’t. He’s a vibrant, active artist in his late 60s who looks significantly younger than the AI hallucinations would suggest.
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The Wilmington Years and Stability
Life changed for Steve when he landed in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was where he finally found the stability he’d been dodging for years. It’s also where he met Linda.
They didn't just fall in love; they became a production team. They renovated houses. They built that community theater. They became the "it" couple of the local arts scene. It’s a great example of how age doesn't dictate the "prime" of your life. For Steve, his prime arguably didn't even start until he was in his late 40s and early 50s.
The Reality of the Age Gap
In Hollywood, we’re used to seeing older men with much younger women. When it’s reversed, people tend to squint a little harder.
But if you watch any of their interviews—like the ones they’ve done for Playbill or at Birdland—the dynamic is incredibly balanced. He isn't a trophy husband, and she isn't a benefactor. They are collaborators. He brings a gritty, self-taught energy to her polished, Broadway-legend vibe. It works.
He’s often joked that he was a "project" for her, but anyone who has seen his paintings knows he’s a fully realized artist in his own right.
What You Can Take Away From Steve’s Journey
Knowing how old is steve bakunas is one thing, but his life path offers a few actual insights for the rest of us:
- Ignore the "Life Clock": If you feel like a failure because you haven't "made it" by 30, look at Steve. He didn't find his footing or his soulmate until his 40s.
- Versatility is a Superpower: Don't let people box you into one career. You can be a drummer, a painter, and a contractor. It keeps your brain young.
- Check Your Sources: In the age of AI, names get swapped. Always double-check "facts" that seem to conflict with a person's visible timeline.
If you’re interested in seeing his work, look up his "Portrait of an Artist" series. It’s a fascinating look at how he sees the world—and his wife—through a lens that has nothing to do with age and everything to do with character.
To see what Steve is up to lately, your best bet is following the performance schedules for Linda Lavin's upcoming cabaret dates or checking out regional theater listings in the New York and North Carolina areas. He’s usually nearby, likely with a pair of drumsticks or a paintbrush in hand.