Steve Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid 1980s, eventually leading to a long stint as host of It's Showtime at the Apollo, succeeding his colleague Mark Curry in that role. His success as a stand-up comedian led to The WB network giving him his own show, The Steve Harvey Show, which ran from 1996 to 2002. While wildly popular in the African-American community (the show won multiple NAACP Image Awards), the show never achieved critical acclaim outside of the African-American community, a matter about which Harvey has often complained.

In 1997, Harvey continued his work in stand-up comedy, touring as one of the Kings of Comedy, along with Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac. The comedy act would later be put together into a film by Spike Lee called The Original Kings of Comedy.

Following the end of his runs on Showtime at the Apollo and The Steve Harvey Show, Harvey continued acting in some minor roles, but has become a major figure in many African-American functions and is a staple on BET. In addition, he has released an audio CD of up-and-coming hip hop and R&B artists on a record label he founded, and has authored a book, Steve Harvey's Big Time. That title was also used as the name of Harvey's comedy and variety television show (later renamed Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge) which aired on The WB network from 2003 until 2005.

DVD sales of The Original Kings of Comedy and Don't Trip, He Ain't Through With Me Yet have increased Steve Harvey's brand recognition among African Americans. During the past two years, Harvey has launched the popular Steve Harvey clothing line which features the line of dress wear which has made him popular with the 40+ crowd.

On October 7th, 2004 Marshall Mathers, better known as rapper Eminem released the track "Just Lose It", with some lyrics remarking humorously on Michael Jackson's career and historically infamous legal troubles. Steve Harvey was quick to respond against these lyrics saying, "Eminem has lost his ghetto pass. We want the pass back." Harvey, initially expecting a positive response from this off the cuff remark was quickly criticized by many for his support of the controversial legal stance of the artist Michael Jackson, as well as his remarks about Eminem. "Steve Harvey, who was born in a town in West Virginia of less than 1,500 people is revoking someone's ghetto pass? Being born black don't mean you were born in the ghetto." (DeShaun Dupree Holton, aka rapper Proof from D12)

Harvey was previously married to Mary Shackelford. They divorced after 10 years of marriage in December 2005. The couple have one son together, named Wynton. Harvey also has twin daughters and a son from his first marriage. He remarried for the third time on June 25, 2007 in Maui to Marjorie Bridges, a longtime friend.

Harvey is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Harvey is also a Born Again Christian.

Harvey hosted his own radio morning radio show, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, syndicated under Radio One, Inc. broadcasting company, from September 2000 until May 2005. The Los Angeles-based show, although fairly successful in the L.A. market itself, was not as successful in its national syndication efforts as either Harvey or Radio One had hoped it would be. Ultimately, the show aired only in L.A. on KKBT, and in Dallas on KBFB, with Harvey splitting his time between the Dallas and L.A. studios. As a result, Harvey and Radio One decided to part ways shortly before his contract expired.

In September 2005, Harvey signed a joint syndication deal with Premiere Radio Networks and Inner City Broadcasting Corporation for a new incarnation of "The Steve Harvey Morning Show"; the show is based out of WBLS in New York.