Born in Montreal, the third of five children, Hill attended
Earl Haig Secondary School in North York where he received Honourable Mention at Sears Ontario High School One Act Drama Festival. In 1977, he began working as an actor as 'Stephen Hill' in television commercials. Hill got his break on stage from four notable pioneers of 'Canadian' theatre:
Susan Douglas Rubeš' Young People's Theatre in Toronto; two seasons with
William Hutt's
Grand Theatre Young Company; three seasons with Dennis Sweeting at Kawartha Summer Theatre in Lindsay, Ontario; and with Douglas Riske at Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary. From 1980–1982, in the
West End theatre in London, England, Hill worked as John Stephen Hill because another 'Stephen Hill' was already a member of British Actors' Equity. Hill's West End work include his leading role debut in the
Michael Blakemore hit
Deathtrap at the
Garrick Theatre, and
Ladies in Retirement at the
Fortune Theatre, and was directed by
Tommy Tune in the original UK production of
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He stood by for
Elizabeth Taylor's Broadway revival of
The Little Foxes at the
Victoria Palace Theatre. In the London fringe, Hill produced two plays. He was directed by
Tom Conti in
Beyond Therapy. He did play readings at
Canada House, and on the Lyttleton stage at the
Royal National Theatre. Hill is an alumnus of the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art where he was directed by Ian Judge. == Film ==