steele was born on january 23, 1907 in portland, oregon. he was raised in hollywood, california. steele was married to louise a. chessman from 1931 until they divorced in 1933. then he was married to alice petty hackley from 1935 until they divorced in 1938. then he was married to virginia nash tatem from 1939 until his death in 1988. he had no children. steele died on december 21, 1988 in burbank, california from emphysema, aged 81.