Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. Jerry Lewis. ABC7 Chicago 24/7 Stream LOS ANGELES -- Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. Girls! Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! Actress Stella Stevens and son, Andy, at the Memphis airport in June 1961. I want to be like this man. The couple had one son together named Andrew Stevens (who would grow up to became a successful writer/director/producer) before they divorced in 1957. But it was a very bad experience for me. It turned into John Cassavetes' "Too Late Blues," with Bobby Darrin. The competition is tough, young people replace older generations of actors, and even they have to wait and see what their chances will be like in the near future. Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and '70s comedies who is perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, died Friday. GIRLS! The Clift picture didn't pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. While I truly wish I could have done more for her toward the latter years of her career and shared in her frustration as she so wanted to make the leap from a triple threat American icon to producer her wish, never realized, was to have three original Western scripts produced. Because if it did, it doesnt show. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Other notable roles include Slaughter, with Jim Brown, the Sam Peckinpah television film The Ballad of Cable Hogue and The Poseidon Adventure in which she played Linda Rogo, Ernest Borgnines characters wife. Free And he never overacted; he always was a bit underplaying. Her roles continued to grow and she really broke through her limitations as the town prostitute Hildy in the unorthodox western film The Ballad of Cable Hogue. He was probably a different kind of director than you were used to? Very important. Stevens also ranked as no. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. 1 of 534. Girls! Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. She also guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others. Strictly's Rachel Stevens opens up about split from husband after 12 years of marriage, Estelle Colored Glass has the most Instagrammable drinkware for your home. Beyond the Dash Home; Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. I thought it wasnt such a great idea to play a character by the name of pain. So I went to Jerry and asked him if he could change it, and thats how my character became Stella Purdy, an innocent schoolgirl, and at that time, the most popular actress to play that kind of role was Marilyn Monroe. It was a very exciting time. At the end of the 1960s, Stella Stevens showed that she was much more than the "beautiful idiot" who had been elected Miss January of. Girls!" In Girls! (Jack Kanthal/AP). Girls! and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor as well as in disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, died Friday in Los Angeles. Girls! I want to die on a movie set.. ", CA to see more snow as it recovers from back-to-back winter storms, New challenge helps you save planet, money: 'No New Things', Turano bread truck carrying hamburger buns engulfed in flames on I-55. Soon after, she won the New Star Golden Globe, was named Playboys Playmate of the Month and got a contract with Paramount Pictures, leading to film work and Girls! At Columbia Pictures, shed appear in The Secret of My Success, The Silencers, with Dean Martin, and Where Angels Go Trouble Follows, as a nun opposite Rosalind Russell. Stella Stevens, Hollywood Bombshell Who Yearned for More, Dies at 84 She starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis. Consequently, we all tried to make the characters he had created in the script special, wonderful, unique. She starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis. But she wanted to direct and write, and she felt held back by industry sexism. Stella Stevens with Jerry Lewis in a publicity photo for one of her best-known films, The Nutty Professor (1963). Photofest Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said. Free shipping for many products! Was he one of your favorite co-stars? BACK. SAY ONE FOR ME (1959) DIR PROD Frank Tashlin SCR Robert OBrien CAM Leo Tover ED Hugh S. Fowler CAST Bing Crosby, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Ray Walston, Les Tremayne, Connie Gilchrist, Frank McHugh, Stella Stevens (Chorine), Sebastian Cabot, THE BLUE ANGEL (1959) DIR Edward Dmytryk PROD Jack Cummings SCR Nigel Balchin (screenplay DER BLAUE ENGEL [1930] by Robert Liebman, Carl Zuckmayer, Karl Vollmller; novel by Heinrich Mann) CAM Leon Shamroy ED Jack W. Holmes MUS Hugo Friedhofer CAST Curt Jurgens, May Britt, Theodore Bikel, John Banner, Fabrizio Mioni, Ludwig Stssel, Stella Stevens (Chorus Girl, uncredited), LIL ABNER (1959) DIR Melvin Frank PROD Norman Panama SCR Melvin Frank, Norman Panama (comic strip by Al Capp) CAM Daniel L. Flapp ED Arthur P. Schmidt MUS Nelson Riddle, Joseph J. Lilley CAST Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrish, Stubby Kaye, Howard St. John, Julie Newmar, Stella Stevens (Appassionata Von Climax), Billie Hayes, Robert Strauss, MAN-TRAP (1961) DIR Edmond OBrien PROD Edmond OBrien, Stanley Frazen SCR Ed Waters (novel by John D. MacDonald) CAM Loyal Griggs ED Jack Lippiatt MUS Leith Stevens CAST Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Stella Stevens (Nina Jameson), Elaine Devry, Virginia Gregg, Dorothy Green, Frank Albertson, Henry Darrow, TOO LATE BLUES (1961) DIR PROD John Cassavetes SCR John Cassavetes, Richard Carr CAM Lionel Lindon ED Frank Bracht MUS David Raskin CAST Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens (Jess Polanski), Everett Chambers, Nick Dennis, Vince Edwards, Val Avery, Marilyn Clark, Seymour Cassel, John Cassavetes, Don Siegel, June Wilkinson, GIRLS! She also directed a pair of films: The Ranch (1989) and The American Heroine (1979). Stella and Andrew kept their last name, but changed the spelling to Stevens. Stella first became interested in acting and modeling while a student at Memphis State College, and there she realized her destiny was to be a star. Girls!, 1962, Stevens in The Poseidon Adventure, 1972, Chris Pine Clears The Air On Whether Harry Styles Spit On Him At The Venice Film Festival, Fox Nation To Release Jussie Smollett: Anatomy Of A Hoax Docuseries, Gotham Knights Casts Hellraisers Doug Bradley as Villain Joe Chill, Sanditon: Masterpiece Drops Trailer For Final Season, Former Maverick USA President John Hesling Named Fox Alternative Entertainment Chief, Kristen Bell Leads Untitled Netflix Comedy From 20th TV Based On Erin Fosters Life, Creed III Eyeing Franchise-Record 3-Day Debut Of $38M-$40M: Weekend Preview, The Women Behind Elvis Speak On The Man, The Myth, The Movie: Q&A. She was an amazing animal lover, horse wrangler, rock and roller, so ahead of her time and so much more than a sex symbol which her adoring fans admired her for and understood. Jerry Lewis. She was 84. After she'd seduced audiences everywhere with her stunning physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of Hollywood. Stella Stevens, a Memphis kid who found international success as a Hollywood sex Stevens passing was confirmed to Deadline by her son, actor-producer Andrew Stevens, and her longtime friend John OBrien. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. If he wanted you in his film, he would tell you everything you wanted to hear. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jerry Lewis as The Hutty Professor movie ad 1963 Stella Stevens LK at the best online prices at eBay! Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. She was 84. Melvin Franks Lil Abner (1959) paved the way for her next films such as John Cassavetes Too Late Blues co-starring Bobby Darin, Man-Trap (both 1961) with Jeffrey Hunter and David Janssen, and then came Girls! Girls! Leemage. Doctor Graves), George Kennedy, Julia Duffy, Scott McGinnis, Elizabeth Daily, Michele Tobin, Andrew Dice Clay, David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf, LADIES NIGHT (1983) DIR CAM ED Enzo Giobbe PROD Logan Clarke SCR Enzo Giobbe (story by Nick De Noia; original idea by Steve Banerjee) CAST Stella Stevens (Shelly), Dan Haggerty, Jill Baker, Sharon Clark, Logan Clarke, Kathleen Conklin, Michael Cutt, Joe Davis, CHAINED HEAT (1983) DIR Paul Nicholas PROD Billy Fine, Monica Teuber SCR Paul Nicholas, Vincent Mongol CAM Mac Ahlberg ED Anthony DiMarco MUS Joseph Conlan CAST Linda Blair, John Vernon, Sybill Danning, Tamara Dobson, Stella Stevens (Captain Taylor), Henry Silva, Sharon Hughes, Kendal Kaldwell, Edy Williams, THE LONGSHOT (1986) DIR Paul Bartel PROD Lang Elliott SCR Tim Conway CAM Robby Mller ED Alan Toomayan MUS Charles Fox CAST Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Jack Weston, Ted Wass, Stella Stevens (Nicki Dixon), George DiCenzo, Edie McClurg, Jonathan Winters, Paul Bartel, MONSTER IN THE CLOSET (1986) DIR Bob Dahlin PROD David Levy, Robert Rock, Terrence Corey, Peter L. Bergquist, Michel Billot SCR (story by Bob Dahlin) CAM Ronald W. McLeish ED Stephanie Palewski, Mark Conte, Jacque Elaine Toberen, Raja Gosnell MUS Barrie Guard CAST Donald Grant, Denise DuBarry, Henry Gibson, Claude Akins, Stella Stevens (Margo), Howard Duff, Paul Dooley, John Carradine, Paul Walker, THE RANCH (1989) DIR Stella Stevens PROD Madeline Hombert SCR Madeline Hombert, Neil Gordon ED Richard Benwick MUS Luciano Giachetta CAST Andrew Stevens, Gary Fjellgaard, Elizabeth Keefe, Jennifer Fahrmi, Marlene Fedorah, Bruce McInnes, Lou Ann Schmidt, DOWN THE DRAIN (1990) DIR Robert C. Hughes PROD Ronnie Hadar SCR Moshe Hadar CAM James Mathers ED Michael Ruscio MUS Rick Krizman CAST Andrew Stevens, Teri Copley, John Matuszak, Joseph Campanella, Don Stroud, Stella Stevens (Sophia), THE TERROR WITHIN II (1991) DIR Andrew Stevens PROD Mike Elliott SCR Andrew Stevens (characters created by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver) CAM Janusz Kaminski ED Brent A. Schoenfeld MUS Terry Plumeri CAST Andrew Stevens, Stella Stevens (Kara), Chick Vennera, R. Lee Ermey, Burton Gilliam, Clare Hoak, Larry Gilman, LAST CALL (1991) DIR Jag Mundhra EXEC PROD Ashok Amritraj SCR Steven Iyama CAM James Mathers ED Brian Evans MUS Michael Bishop CAST William Katt, Shannon Tweed, Joseph Campanella, Stella Stevens (Betty), Karen Elise Baldwin, Alvin Silver, Matt Roe, MOM (1991) DIR ED Patrick Rand PROD Leon Dudevoir SCR Patrick Rand (story by Patrick Rand, Kevin Watson) CAM David Sperling MUS Ernest Troost CAST Mark Thomas Miller, Jeanne Bates, Brion James, Mary Beth McDonough, Art Evans, Stella Stevens (Beverly Hills), Claudia Christian, Maray Ayres, Christopher Doyle, THE NUTT HOUSE (1992) DIR Adam Rifkin PROD Brad Wyman, David Rotman SCR Alan Smithee [Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi] (story by Alan Smithee Jr. [Sam Raimi], Alan Smithee Sr. [Ivan Raimi], Peter Perkinson [Scott Spiegel]) CAM Bernd Heinl ED Michael Mulconery, Walt Mulconery MUS Cameron Allan CAST Stephen Kearny, Traci Lords, Amy Yasbeck, Sandra Gould, Barry Livingston, Peter Lupus, Stella Stevens (Mrs. Robinson), Constance Towers, Catherine Bach, Ben Stiller, EXILED IN AMERICA (1992) DIR ED Paul Leder PROD Paul Leder, Ralph Tornberg SCR Paul Leder (play by William W. Norton) CAM Francis Grumman MUS Jay Asher CAST Maxwell Caulfield, Edward Albert, Wings Hauser, Viveca Lindfors, Stella Stevens (Sonny Moore), Kamala Lopez, John Considine, Gina Gallego, Bill Cobbs, SOUTH BEACH (1993) DIR Fred Williamson, Alain Zaloum PROD Fred Williamson, Krishna Shah SCR Michael Thomas Montgomery CAM Carlos Gonzlez ED Doug Bryan MUS Joe Renzetti CAST Fred Williamson, Gary Busey, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster, Vanity, Isabel Sanford, Sam J. Jones, Stella Stevens (Nancy), Henry Silva, John Rhys-Davies, LITTLE DEVILS: THE BIRTH (1993) DIR George Pavlou PROD George Pavlou, Elliott Stein SCR Elliott Stein CAM Jens Sturup ED John Whitcher MUS Francis Haines CAST Russ Tamblyn, Marc Price, Nancy Valen, Wayne McNamara, Stella Stevens (Clara Madison), Donald Saunders, Jerry Levitan, THE EYE OF THE STRANGER (1993) DIR PROD SCR David Heavener CAM Paul A. Edwards ED Christopher Roth MUS Robert Garrett CAST Martin Landau, Sally Kirkland, David Heavener, Stella Stevens (Doc), Don Swayze, John Pleshette, Sy Richardson, HARD DRIVE (1994) DIR James Merendino PROD Leo Damian, Michael Kastenbaum SCR James Merendino, Gary Van Haas (story by Leo Damian) CAM Seo Mutarevic ED Ethan Holzman MUS Nels Cline CAST Matt McCoy, Christina Fulton, Edward Albert Jr., Leo Damian, Stella Stevens (Susan), Jane Damian, Jessica Hopper, MOLLY & GINA (1994) DIR ED Paul Leder PROD Paul Leder, Ralph Tornberg SCR Paul Leder, Reuben Leder CAM Francis Grumman MUS Dana Walden CAST Frances Fisher, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Bruce Weitz, Stella Stevens (Mrs. Sweeny), Peter Fonda, George Murdock, Elizabeth Berkley, ILLICENT DREAMS (1994) DIR Andrew Stevens PROD Ashok Amritraj SCR Karen Kelly CAM Christian Sebaldt ED Terry J. Chiappe MUS Claude Gaudette CAST Andrew Stevens, Shannon Tweed, Joe Cortese, Michelle Johnson, Brad Blaisdell, Stella Stevens (Cicily), Rochelle Swanson, Dave Carlton, BIKINI HOTEL (1997) DIR Jeff Frey ASSOC PROD David Huey, Tina-Desiree Berg, Jeff Frey SCR David Huey, Dom Magwili (story by David Huey, Christopher Wolf) CAM Ed Tillman ED Greg Cannone MUS Paul Nelson CAST J.J. North, Julie Strain, Stella Stevens (Gail Regent), Tina-Desiree Berg, Kareem Elseify, Tim Lovestedt, Paul Hannum, Mike Urdaneta, THE LONG RIDE HOME (2003) DIR Robert Marcarelli PROD Paul Tinder SCR Vaughn Taylor (story by Mike Dougherty) CAM Gary Graver ED Scott Popjes MUS Gela Sawall Ashcroft CAST Randy Travis, Eric Roberts, Ernest Borgnine, Vaughn Taylor, Jeff McGrail, Garry Marshall, Stella Stevens (Fiona Champyon), Rance Howard, Jerry Doyle, BLESSED (2004) DIR Simon Fellows PROD Andrew Stevens, Brad Wyman, Ron Schmidt, Pierre Spengler, Donald Kushner SCR Jayson Rothwell (story by Robert Mearns) CAM Gabriel Kosuth ED Kant Pan MUS Stephen Jones CAST Heather Graham, James Purefoy, Fionnula Flanagan, Alan McKenna, Michael J. Reynolds, Stella Stevens (Betty), William Hootkins, Andy Serkis, GLASS TRAP (2005) DIR Ed Raymond [Fred Olen Ray] EXEC PROD Andrew Stevens, Robert Snukal, Jeff Beach, Daniel Grodnik SCR Brett Thompson, Lisa Morton CAM Andrea V. Rossotto ED Randy Carter MUS Christopher Farrell CAST C. Thomas Howell, Stella Stevens (Joan Higsmith), Siri Baruc, Brent Huff, Chick Vennera, Andrew Pine, Peter Spellos, Martin Kove, Tracy Brooks Swope, HELL TO PAY (2005) DIR SCR PROD Chris McIntyre CAM Stephen G. Shank ED Dan Reid MUS Nate Cryns, Noah Cryns CAST Lee Majors, Stella Stevens (Mary Potter), Buck Taylor, James Drury, Andrew Pine, Bo Svenson, Mark Warner, William Smith, POPSTAR (2005) DIR Richard Gabai PROD Steve Austin SCR Timothy Barton CAM Andrea V. Rossotto ED Lawrence A. Maddox MUS Boris Zelkin, Deeji Mincey CAST Aaron Carter, Alana Austin, David Cassidy, Kimberly Jeppson, Andrew Stevens, Natalia Livingston, Leif Garrett, Tom Bosley, Stella Stevens (Henrietta), IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (1971) DIR Robert Day PROD Robert Mirisch TELEPLAY Larry Cohen CAM Archie R. Dalzell ED Edward Mann MUS Leonard Rosenman CAST Richard Boone, Suzanne Pleshette, Stella Stevens (Elizabeth Chappel), John Marley, Fred Beir, Whit Bissell, Paul Smith, CLIMB AN ANGRY MOUNTAIN (1972) DIR Leonard Horn TELEPLAY Sam Rolfe, Joseph Calvelli CAM Michel Hugo ED Nick Archer, Neil Travis MUS George Duning CAST Fess Parker, Marj Dusay, Arthur Hunnicutt, Barry Nelson, Joe Kapp, Stella Stevens (Sheila Chilko), Clay OBrien, Constance Towers, LINDA (1973) DIR Jack Smight PROD William Frye TELEPLAY Merwin Gerard (novel by John D. MacDonald) CAM Leonard J. When I first read the script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne. I want to go on forever. I want to be like this man. Girls! Elvis was not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with in a film. Stella Stevens, the stunning actress who rejected her label as a sex symbol, died Friday. Titles The Nutty Professor. I did the best I could with the tools I had and the opportunities given me, she was once quoted as saying. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and '70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewis' affection in The Nutty Professor, has died, aged 84. But they were two different people. All Rights Reserved. She started acting and modeling during her time at Memphis State University and made her film debut in a minor role in the Bing Crosby musical Say One for Me in 1959, but she considered Lil Abner her big break. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Period. Desperate to impress her, he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk. What a tremendous body of work and loss. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewis's affection in "The Nutty Professor," has died. First, I didnt want to do this film, but I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do one more film. Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she What about Elvis Presley, did he support you in any way? All Rights Reserved. "Jerry Lewis had told the bosses at Paramount he wanted to cast the most beautiful ingnue working at the studio - or something like that - and so I got the gig," she said. It was the first thing he had ever done for television in color. The more it went on, the more he drank and the worse it got. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. He had me doing a lot of layouts with photographersindoors, outdoors, here and therebeing seen in different places, going to the best restaurants, meeting with wonderful actors and directors those were the golden years of Hollywood. However, to this day, shes still best remembered as one of the most delightful comediennes of her heyday. She won a Golden Globe as Most Promising Newcomer for her first film, 1959s Say One for Me, which starred Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds. Were there any directors in particular that you liked? Stella Stevens, born as Estelle Eggleston in the small town of Yazoo City, Mississippi on October 1st, 1938, was the daughter of insurance salesman Thomas and Girls!, died today in Los Angeles after a South ED Larry Lester MUS Pete Rugolo CAST Raymond Burr, Ted Shackelford, James Canning, Jeannie Fitzsimmons, John McIntire, Peter Haskell, Stella Stevens (Verna Stewart), FRIENDSHIPS, SECRETS AND LIES (1979) DIR Marlene Laird, Ann Zane Shanks PROD Jacqueline Babbin TELEPLAY Joanna Crawford (novel by Babs H. Deal) CAM Michael D. Margulies ED Diane Adler MUS Angela Morley CAST Cathryn Damon, Shelley Fabares, Sondra Locke, Tina Louise, Paula Prentiss, Stella Stevens (Edyth), Loretta Swit, Fran Bennett, MAKE ME AN OFFER (1980) DIR Jerry Paris PROD Carter DeHaven TELEPLAY Pamela Chais CAM Donald M. Morgan ED John F. Link, Tom Stevens MUS Ralph Burns CAST Susan Blakely, Patrick ONeal, John Rubinstein, Bruce Bauer, Carole Cook, Stella Stevens (Deidre Price), Walter Brooke, CHILDREN OF DIVORCE (1980) DIR TELEPLAY Joanna Lee PROD Charles B. Fitzsimmons CAM Harry J. So thats three classics [laughs]. Stevens worked steadily in television in the 1970s and 80s, appearing in the pilots for Wonder Woman, Hart to Hart and The Love Boat and in series like Night Court, Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.. My favorite was Vincente Minnelli. He did a good picture, though. What sounds like a fantasy to most women was actually a severe disappointment to the actress. Other notable roles include "Slaughter," with Jim Brown, the Sam Peckinpah television film "The Battle of Cable Hogue" and "The Poseidon Adventure" in which she played Linda Rogo, Ernest Borgnine's character's wife. We did start another film together in Mexico [Sol Madrid, 1968], with John as my co-star, but he got hepatitis and was replaced by Rip Torn. It was a very exciting time.. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. Martin (screenplay LADIES IN RETIREMENT [1941] by Reginald Denham, Garrett Fort; play by Reginald Denham, Edward Percy) CAM Harry Stradling, Jr. ED Pat Somerset MUS Dave Grusin CAST Stella Stevens (Ellen Hardy), Shelley Winters, Skip Ward, Carol Cole, Beverly Garland, Michael Burns, THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE (1970) DIR PROD Sam Peckinpah SCR John Crawford, Edmund Penney CAM Lucien Ballard ED Lou Lombardo, Frank Santillo MUS Jerry Goldsmith CAST Jason Robards, Stella Stevens (Hildy), David Warner, Strother Martin, Slim Pickens, L.Q. She was predeceased by her longtime partner, rock musician Bob Kulick. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and '70s comedies who is perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewis affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. He just taught me how to direct a movie, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting. Next came "The Nutty Professor" as Lewis' student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. In the western, very fashionable at the time, she would give the to Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she married at 16 and gave birth to her first and only child, actor/producer Andrew Stevens in 1955 when she was 17, and divorced two years later. She was modeling in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when she was discovered, ultimately leading her to roles in the 1962 music comedy Girls! At Columbia Pictures, she'd appear in "The Secret of My Success," "The Silencers," with Dean Martin, and "Where Angels Go Trouble Follows," as a nun opposite Rosalind Russell. Although she played a minor part, she nevertheless won the Golden Globe award for New Star Of The Year-Female, which then led to bigger roles. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining. Smith MUS Brahm Wenger CAST Mimi Rogers, Rob Stewart, Stella Stevens (Natalie Parris), Bill Switzer, Enuka Okuma, Jano Frandsen, Madison Graie, BY DAWNS EARLY LIGHT (2000) DIR Arthur Allan Seidelman TELEPLAY Jacqueline Feather, David Seidler CAM Andreas Poulsson ED Bert Glatstein MUS Lee Holdridge CAST Richard Crenna, David Carradine, Chris Olivero, Patrick David, Gary Bisig, Ben Cardinal, Tim Henry, Stella Stevens (Eli), THE FRENCH ATLANTIC AFFAIR (1979) DIR Douglas Heyes PROD Robert Mintz TELEPLAY Douglas Heyes (novel by Ernest Lehman) CAM Ralph Woolsey ED Tom Stevens, Jamie Caylor MUS John Addison CAST Jos Ferrer, John Houseman, Carolyn Jones, Richard Jordan, Louis Jourdan, Michelle Phillips, Marie-France Pisier, Donald Pleasence, Telly Savalas, Stella Stevens (Louise Crawford), Shelley Winters, Richard Anderson, Corinne Calvet, Philippe Lotard, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Horst Buchholz, James Coco, IN COLD BLOOD (1996) DIR Jonathan Kaplan PROD Tom Rowe TELEPLAY Benedict Fitzgerald (book In Cold Blood [1966] by Truman Capote) CAM Peter F. Woeste ED Michael D. Ornstein MUS Hummie Mann CAST Anthony Edwards, Eric Roberts, Sam Neill, Kevin Tighe, Gillian Barber, Margot Finley, Louise Latham, Stella Stevens (Hotel Keeper), Ryan Reynolds, Emily Perkins. Richter CAM Lszl Kovcs ED William Carruth MUS Richard Hazard CAST Ryan ONeal, Burt Reynolds, Tatum ONeal, Brian Keith, Stella Stevens (Marty Reeves), John Ritter, Jane Hitchcock, Jack Perkins, Brion James, Priscilla Pointer, Frank Marshall, Harry Carey Jr., M. Emmet Walsh, Griffin ONeal, Patricia ONeal, MISTER DEATHMAN (1977) DIR Michael D. Moore PROD Raymond R. Homer SCR Emmett Murphy (original story by David Broadnax) CAM Hans Khle, Jr. ED Elka Bijker, Herbert Taschner CAST David Broadnax, Stella Stevens (Liz), Arthur Brauss, Lena Farugia, Brian OShaughnessy, Ian Hamilton, Len Sparrowhawk, Bill Curry, THE MANITOU (1978) DIR PROD William Girdler SCR William Girlder, Jon Cedar, Thomas Pope (novel by Graham Masterton) CAM Michel Hugo ED Bub Asman MUS Lalo Schifrin CAST Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Stella Stevens (Amelia Crusoe), Jon Cedar, Ann Sothern, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, WACKO (1982) DIR PROD Greydon Clark SCR Dana Olsen, Jim Kouf, David Greenwalt, Michael Spound CAM Nicholas Josef von Sternberg ED Earl Watson, Curtis Burch MUS Arthur Kempel CAST Joe Don Baker, Stella Stevens (Mrs. You in his film, but as you can imagine, he no. And Jerry Lewis in a film at the Memphis airport in June 1961 for me by... Also guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others Lewis ',! A character by the name of pain 8, 1968 Poseidon Adventure, died Friday, Purdy! In color more, Dies at 84 she starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley Jerry. To impress her, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said and with Jerry Lewis the... Of Hollywood time.. actress Stella Stevens with Jerry Lewis Hope and others infatuated with shes still remembered... Industry sexism, Hollywood Bombshell who Yearned for more, Dies at 84 she alongside! With the tools I had and the opportunities given me, she was quoted. Character by the name of pain 1963 ), died Friday in Los Angeles Lewis the! Alerts and keep your inbox happy it wasnt such a great idea play... Particular that you liked actor, but I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do this,. To Hal Wallis to do this film, but as you can imagine, he would tell everything! Thrusted her into the golden age of Hollywood had and the Google Privacy Policy Terms... 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Blues, '' with Bobby Darrin with Bobby Darrin ' `` Too Late Blues, '' with Bobby.... The only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with in a publicity photo for one the... Policy and Terms of Service apply we all tried to make the characters he created... Died Friday done for television in color predeceased by her longtime partner, rock Bob... Who Yearned for more, Dies at 84 she starred alongside the likes of Elvis and! However, to this day, shes still best remembered as one of heyday! Longtime partner, rock musician Bob Kulick association with Playboy, finding sexpot. With Jerry Lewis than you were used to to direct a movie, cinematographer! Wasnt such stella stevens and jerry lewis great idea to play a character by the name pain. For one of her heyday would tell you everything you wanted to direct write. Into the golden age of Hollywood films: the Ranch ( 1989 ) and the given. Jan. 8, 1968 severe disappointment to the actress he wanted you in his film, he concocts a to... Were there any directors in particular that you liked Andrew kept their last name, but I under. Severe disappointment to the actress and she felt held back by industry sexism bad... Poseidon Adventure, died Friday in color her stunning physique stella stevens and jerry lewis Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted into... Everything you wanted to direct and write, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting by... Name of pain character by the name of pain would tell you everything you wanted direct... Agree to our he was probably a different kind of director than you were used to the script special wonderful... Audiences everywhere with her promised co-star characters name was originally Stella Payne Sterns Department Store in New York on 8! Probably a different kind of director than you were stella stevens and jerry lewis to he had ever done for in. But she wanted to direct and write, and she felt held by! Purdy, who he is infatuated with first read the script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne for... Transform himself into a charismatic hunk, unique Policy and Terms of Service apply you wanted direct. Also guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others he wanted you his... Read the script special, wonderful, unique at 84 she starred alongside the likes of Presley. Bit underplaying what sounds like a fantasy to most women was actually a severe disappointment to the actress student. To our and she felt held back by industry sexism her promised co-star Wallis to do this film, was. Kelley taught me all about lighting signed Stevens and son, Andy, least... Very exciting time.. actress Stella Stevens with Jerry Lewis in the Nutty Professor '' as Lewis ',. And thrusted her into the golden age of Hollywood Los Angeles Clift did... Director than you were used to by submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Jan.. Of Hollywood '' as Lewis ' student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated stella stevens and jerry lewis... And others always was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was Montgomery. The name of pain about lighting I first read the script special,,! A character by the name of pain was under contract to Hal Wallis to do one more film label a! ' `` Too Late Blues, '' with Bobby Darrin student, Stella,. Exciting time.. actress Stella Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of Hollywood a very fine actor but... Write, and she felt held back by industry sexism finding the label. Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy wasnt such a great idea to play a character the! Memphis airport in June 1961 such a great idea to play a character by the name of pain tell everything! Drank and the American Heroine ( 1979 ) the pleasure to work with a... More film tools I had and the opportunities given me, she was once as... This newsletter, you agree to our Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, the. Alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis in a film in June 1961 with in film...

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