Stephen Everett Ralsten was born June 4, 1950, in Munster, Indiana, to Merrill and Lois Ralsten. The oldest of four children, his life revolved around music and entertainment.
He played French horn in high school and college before graduating from CalArts. He began his career at Disneyland on December 15, 1966, the day Walt Disney passed away. After starting as a character (most notably Captain Hook and Baloo the bear), traveling the U.S. on the Disney plane promoting Disneyland in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he worked his way up to collaborate with a variety of worldclass entertainers as the Tomorrowland stage manager.
He later joined the Hollywood entertainment industry as a sound engineer, running the playback room at the famed Glen Glenn Sound Studios where he worked alongside some of the finest talent in the business until his retirement in 2006.
Steve embraced life to the fullest. Beyond music, he had a passion for boating, photography, golf, and collecting art, particularly Disney memorabilia.
He proudly celebrated 41 years of sobriety and was deeply devoted to AA, generously mentoring others on their path to recovery.
A grateful recipient of both a successful 10-year heart transplant and, later, a successful three-and-a-half-year kidney transplant, he made a point of visiting newly transplanted organ recipients to offer hope and encouragement.
On March 23, 2026, Steve passed away after a lifetime of medical challenges that he faced with grace and resilience. He is survived by his daughter Michaela, granddaughter Claire, ex-wife Barbara, sister Ann, and brothers Merrill and David.
Prior to his heart transplant, Steve dictated a list of the musicians, celebrities, and productions he had the privilege of working with over the course of his career:
Musicians & Performers
Natalie Cole • The Pointer Sisters • The Pink Ladies • Karen Carpenter • Olivia Newton-John • Harry James • Buddy Rich • Count Basie • Woody Herman • José Feliciano • The Four Tops • The Miracles • Doc Severinsen • KC and the Sunshine Band • Tony Orlando and Dawn • Bob Hope • Carol Burnett
Film & Television Personalities
Harrison Ford • Sydney Pollack • Sophia Loren • Marilu Henner • Sofia Vergara • Angelina Jolie • Steven Spielberg • Robin Williams • Michael Landon • John Travolta • Brooke Shields • Grace Lee Whitney • Jane Krakowski • Sarah Michelle Gellar • Michelle Trachtenberg
Television Series
“Happy Days” • “Mork and Mindy” • “Laverne & Shirley” • “Little House on the Prairie” • “Dallas” • “Knots Landing” • “Falcon Crest” • “L.A. Law” • “Ally McBeal” • “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” • “Fresno” • “Mad Men” • “Glee” • “Game of Thrones” • “Family Guy” • “The Simpsons” • “American Dad” • “The Cleveland Show”
Films
“Cowboys & Aliens” • “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” • “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” • “Saturday Night Fever” • “Pretty Baby” • “The Last of the Mohicans”
- Ralsten family
