Steiner was manager of Vienna's Theater an der Wien from 1869 to 1875 with Marie Geistinger, a popular Viennese actress, and from 1875 to 1880 on his own. Had two sons: Franz S., who took over his function in 1880 and remained until 1884; and Gabor S., who also became a theatre manager and operator of a music hall. He was grandfather of Max Steiner, the prestigious Hollywood film composer.