Free Do you think it affected the film? 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. For me, it all started when I did Lil Abner [1959]. Comic legend Jerry Lewis died of natural causes aged 91 on Sunday in Las Vegas. Public records show Stevens has owned the house since 1965. Stella ironically had co-starred with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor (and reportedly had an affair with the comic. In 1983, Stevens began a long-term relationship with rock guitarist Bob Kulick; for many years they shared Stevens Beverly Hills home. Jerry Lewis. 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.. With The Nutty Professor (1963) as a major highlight of her long career, the 78-year-old blonde kept on acting for many years in supporting roles and various genres. She also directed several films, the documentary An American Heroine, which never got distribution, and The Ranch. She retired in 2010. Girls! Maybe this adulation was only one-sided. She was 84. Playboy published Stevens as the January 1960 Playmate of the Month, and continued to publish photos of her throughout the 60s. 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. Stellas character Robin was an immature singer who is fighting the sweetheart Laurel (played by Laurel Goodwin) for Elviss love. Lewis and Stella Stevens in 1963's The Nutty Professor. He was a great comedy director who could make anything funny. (1962) DIR Norman Taurog PROD Hal B. Wallis SCR Edward Anhalt, Allan Weiss (story by Allan Weiss) CAM Loyal Griggs ED Stanley E. Johnson MUS Joseph J. Lilley CAST Elvis Presley, Stella Stevens (Robin Gantner), Jeremy Slate, Lionel Goodwin, Benson Fong, Robert Strauss, Guy Lee, THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIES FATHER (1963) DIR Vincente Minnelli PROD Joe Pasternak SCR John Gay (novel by Mark Toby) CAM Milton Kasner ED Adrienne Fazan MUS George Stoll CAST Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones, Stella Stevens (Dollye Daly), Roberta Sherwood, Ron Howard, Jerry Van Dyke, Clint Howard, Andrew Stevens, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963) DIR Jerry Lewis PROD Ernest D. Glucksman SCR Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond CAM W. Wallace Kelley ED John Woodcock MUS Walter Scharf CAST Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens (Stella Purdy), Del Moore, Kathleen Freeman, Med Flory, Norman Alden, Howard Morris, Seymour Cassel, Richard Kiel, Francine York, ADVANCE TO THE REAR (1964) DIR George Marshall PROD Ted Richmond SCR William Bowers, Samuel A. Peeples (story by Jack Schaefer; novel by William Chamberlain) CAM Milton R. Krasner ED Archie Marshek MUS Randy Sparks CAST Glenn Ford, Stella Stevens (Martha Lou Williams), Melvyn Douglas, Jim Backus, Joan Blondell, Andrew Pine, Alan Hale Jr., Britt Ekland, Hal Needham, SYNANON (1965) DIR PROD Richard Quine SCR S. Lee Pogostin, Ian Bernard (story by S. Lee Pogostin, Barry Oringer) CAM Harry Stradling, Jr. ED David Wages MUS Neal Hefti CAST Edmond OBrien, Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens (Joaney Adamic), Alex Cord, Richard Conte, Eartha Kitt, Alejando Rey, THE SECET OF MY SUCCESS (1965) DIR SCR Andrew L. Stone PROD Andrew L. Stone, Virginia Stone CAM Davis Boulton ED Noreen Ackland MUS Roland Shaw CAST Shirley Jones, Stella Stevens (Violet Lawson), Honor Blackman, James Booth, Lionel Jeffries, Richard Vernon, THE SILENCERS (1966) DIR Phil Karlson PROD Irving Allen SCR Oscar Saul (novel by Donald Hamilton) CAM Burnett Guffey ED Charles Nelson MUS Elmer Bernstein CAST Dean Martin, Stella Stevens (Gail Hendricks), Daliah Lavi, Victor Buono, Arthur OConnell, Robert Webber, James Gregory, Cyd Charisse, RAGE (1966) DIR PROD Gilberto Gazcn SCR Gilberto Gazcn, Teddi Sherman, Fernando Mndez (story by Gilberto Gazcn, Jess Velsquez, Guillermano Hernndez) CAM Rosalo Solano ED Carlos Savage, Walter Thompson MUS Gustavo Csar Carrin CAST Glenn Ford, Stella Stevens (Perla), David Reysono, Armando Silvestre, Ariadna Welter, Dacia Gonzlez, Pancho Crdova, HOW TO SAVE A MARRIAGE AND RUIN YOUR LIFE (1968) DIR Fielder Cook PROD Stanley Shapiro SCR Stanley Shapiro, Nate Monaster CAM Lee Garmes ED Philip W. Anderson MUS Michel Legrand CAST Dean Martin, Stella Stevens (Carol Corman), Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, Betty Field, Jack Albertson, Katharine Bard, SOL MADRID (1968) DIR Brian G. Hutton PROD Elliott Kastner, Hall Bartlett SCR David Karp (novel by Robert Wilder) CAM Fred J. Koenekamp ED John McSweeney, Jr. MUS Lalo Schifrin CAST David McCallum, Stella Stevens (Stacey Woodward), Telly Savalas, Rip Torn, Ricardo Montalban, Pat Hingle, Paul Lukas, Michael Ansara, WHERE ANGELSO GO TROUBLE FOLLOWS! He was a writer-director, and thats who I liked to work witha writer-director. Press Esc to cancel. I want to go on forever. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. Girls! She was modeling in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when she was discovered, ultimately leading her to roles in the 1962 music comedy Girls! By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. + Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease. Fortunately for Stevens, the torment only lasted for the short six days she needed to be there. We want to hear from you! 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. Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. Home. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. 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. in 1960. When I first read the script, I noticed that I died six pages before the end, and I told my agent, You know, the actress who plays the fat lady in the movie will get an Oscar nomination. The role went to Shelley Winters, and she got an Academy Award nomination. He just taught me how to direct a movie, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting. May ED Carroll Sax MUS Raoul Kraushaar, Minette Allton CAST Barbara Feldon, Lance Kerwin, Stacey Nelkin, Carmine Caridi, Christopher Ciampa, Olivia Cole, Stella Stevens (Sherry Malik), Fritz Weaver, Billy Dee Williams, TWIRL (1981) DIR Gus Trikonis PROD Gabriel Grunfeld TELEPLAY Bernard M. Kahn (story by Gabriel Grunfeld, Ken Vrana) CAM Gil Hubbs ED John A. Barton, Thomas Fries MUS Jimmie Haskell CAST Stella Stevens (Carolyn Moore), Charles Haid, Erin Moran, Lisa Whelchel, Edd Byrnes, Sharon Spelman, Matthew Tobin, Heather Locklear, WOMEN OF SAN QUENTIN (1983) DIR William A. Graham PROD R.W. 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. Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she She was 84. She was 84. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. Because if it did, it doesnt show. Throughout the 80s she took part in some recurring roles on Santa Barbara, Burkes Law, General Hospital, Night Court, and Murder She Wrote. 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. 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. 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. After she starred in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched. 1 of 534. 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. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. Since I wasnt too fond of the film myself, I asked him why he did this kind of movies. In an interview in 1994, Stevens said that she worried that she didnt succeed in bringing out the best in her directors and that her ambitions changed. It was a very exciting time.. He took me to the dailiesI saw the best and the worst, the takes, the outtakes, all of themand whenever I watched him at work, I could ask him anything, and hed take the time to answer me and explain everything. (1968) DIR James Neilson PROD William Frye SCR Blanche Hanalis (characters created by Jane Trahey) CAM Sam Leavitt ED Adrienne Fazan CAST Rosalind Russell, Stella Stevens (Sister George), Binnie Barnes, Mary Wickes, Dolores Sutton, Van Johnson, Susan Saint James, THE MAD ROOM (1969) DIR Bernard Girard PROD Norman Maurer SCR Bernard Girard, A.Z. Two years later, she divorced and began modelling and acting. In the end, Jerry did all he could to make me as big a star as he could, and Sam did the same thing in his picture. Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining. Her character met a grisly end. 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. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. I saw (Bob Hope) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun. Also, we had Ronald Neame as our director. (AP Photo, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Girls! BACK. Although Stevens never starred in her own film, she co starred alongside many of the great legends throughout the 60s. If he wanted you in his film, he would tell you everything you wanted to hear. She was 84. I saw (Bob Hope) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun. But even on TV, I had a classic role in the series Bonanza [1959-1973], playing a silent mute, in a segment called Silent Thunder [1960], which was directed by Robert Altman. 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. Norman Taurog, a screen veteran, as you say, he screamed his lungs out at me all the time, so it was a very embarrassing and humiliating time. 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. Stella Stevens, a Memphis kid who found international success as a Hollywood sex WebStella Stevens passed away 2023-10-01 in This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. 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. Girls! (1962) with Elvis Presleyincidentally, all co-stars mentioned here died prematurelybefore she was cast to appear in The Nutty Professor (1963). However, Stevens was beginning to showcase her true acting skills. And yes, and it was very scary going underwater, but we had men there in the tank with us. 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. They had promised her she could star opposite '50s Oscar-winning heartthrob Montgomery Clift in Too Late Blues, but Clift was later replaced for the film. Girls! She was 84. in 1963. All Rights Reserved. And if you ask me, I do believe thats why the film still holds up after all those years. She also guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others. He could touch youa little smile on his face or a wink of an eye. She also directed several films, the documentary "An American Heroine," which never got distribution, and "The Ranch." Free shipping for many products! South ED Edward A. Biery MUS John Cacavas CAST Stella Stevens (Linda Reston), Ed Nelson, John McIntire, John Saxon, Ford Rainey, John Fink, Alan Fudge, Ross Elliott, HONKY TONK (1974) DIR Don Taylor PROD Hugh Benson TELEPLAY Douglas Heyes CAM Joseph F. Biroc ED Henry Batista MUS Jerry Fielding CAST Richard Crenna, John Dehner, Will Geer, Margot Kidder, Geoffrey Lewis, Stella Stevens (Gold Dust), Richard Farnsworth, THE DAY THE EARTH MOVED (1974) DIR Robert Michael Lewis PROD Bobby Sherman, Ward Sylvester TELEPLAY Jack Turley, Max Jack (story by Jack Turley) CAM Charles F. Wheeler ED John F. Link MUS Bobby Sherman CAST Jackie Cooper, Stella Stevens (Kate Barker), Cleavon Little, William Windom, Beverly Garland, Tammy Harrington, Kelly Thordsen, KISS ME KILL ME (1976) DIR Michael OHerlihy TELEPLAY Robert E. Thompson CAM Meredith M. Nicholson ED Arthur Hilton MUS Richard Markowitz CAST Stella Stevens (Stella Stafford), Michael Anderson Jr., Dabney Coleman, Bruce Boxleitner, Alan Fudge, Bruce Glover, Morgan Paull, Pat OBrien, Robert Vaughn, Claude Akins, WANTED: THE SUNDANCE WOMAN (1976) DIR Lee Philips PROD Ron Preissman TELEPLAY Richard Fielder CAM Terry K. Meade ED Samuel E. Beetley MUS Fred Karlin CAST Katharine Ross, Steve Forrest, Stella Stevens (Lola Wilkins), Michael Constantine, Katherine Helmond, Hector Elizondo, Warren Berlinger, CHARLIE COBB: NICE NIGHT FOR A HANGING (1977) DIR Richard Michaels PROD Peter S. Fischer TELEPLAY Peter S. Fischer (story by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, William Link) CAM Andrew Jackson ED Howard Deane MUS Mike Post, Pete Carpenter CAST Clu Gulager, Ralph Bellamy, Blair Brown, Christopher Connelly, George Furth, Pernell Roberts, Stella Stevens (Martha McVea), Josh Taylor, Ted Chapman, MURDER IN PEYTON PLACE (1977) DIR Bruce Kessler PROD Peter Katz TELEPLAY Richard De Roy (novel by Grace Metalious) CAM Gert Andersen ED Bud S. Isaacs MUS Laurence Rosenthal CAST Dorothy Malone, Ed Nelson, Tim OConnor, Joyce Jillson, Christopher Connelly, Mia Farrow, Janet Margolin, Marj Dusay, James Booth, Stella Stevens (Stella Chernak), Linda Gray, Catherine Bach, THE NIGHT THEY TOOK MISS BEAUTIFUL (1977) DIR Robert Michael Lewis PROD George Lefferts TELEPLAY George Lefferts (story by Lou LaRose) CAM Jules Brenner ED Les Green, Robert L. Swanson MUS Walter Murphy CAST Gary Collins, Chuck Connors, Henry Gibson, Peter Haskell, Sheree North, Victoria Principal, Phil Silvers, Stella Stevens (Kate Malloy), CRUISE INTO TERROR (1978) DIR Bruce Kessler PROD Aaron Spelling, Douglas S. Cramer TELEPLAY Michael Braverman CAM Archie R. Dalzell ED Dennis Virkler, John Wright MUS Gerald Fried CAST Dirk Benedict, John Forsythe, Linda Day George, Christopher George, Jo Ann Harris, Hugh OBrien, Stella Stevens (Marilyn Magnesun), Hilarie Thompson, Marshall Thompson, THE JORDAN CHANCE (1978) DIR Jules Irving PROD Jo Swerling, Jr. TELEPLAY Stephen J. Cannell (story by Stephen J. Cannell, Roy Huggins) CAM Enzo A. Martinelli, Leonard J. Well, he was nice; he was someone you could talk to. I want to be like this man. Stevens estate said Girls!. Girls! Beginning at 20th Century Fox, she soon moved to Paramount to appear in Lil Abner (1959), where she signed a five-year contract which marked the beginning of her screen career. Titles The Nutty Professor. I had the pleasure to work with a lot of great directors, but he was just wonderful. 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 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! Stevens modelled for Playboy multiple times and was Playmate of the Month in January 1960. What about Elvis Presley, did he support you in any way? "Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift," she said. WebJerry Lewis and Stella Stevens at an event for The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. But he knew where I was, he knew where and how to reach me, so I guess if he wanted me in one of his other films, he would have picked up the phone and call me. WebJerry Lewis. She was 84. "He had me doing a lot of layouts with photographers - indoors, outdoors, here and there - being seen in different places, going to the best restaurants, meeting with wonderful actors and directors those were the golden years of Hollywood. His brother, Bruce - former guitarist for the US band Kiss - tweeted: "Legendary actress Stella Stevens, my brother's longtime partner, passed away this morning from a long illness. I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! 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. How did this all start for you? 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. Girls! Home. She was the OG of strong Hollywood women.. "The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol," Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017. Just relax, let it come out, and it would look fine on screen, he told me. Girls! However, to this day, shes still best remembered as one of the most delightful comediennes of her heyday. The Poseidon Adventure [1972] turned out to be your biggest commercial success. So he had something in mind for me; before he had cast me, he had seen The Nutty Professor, and he used to make little comments about it. My favorite was Vincente Minnelli. 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. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. The Clift picture didnt pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift. and Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, passed away at the age of 84 in Los Angeles on Friday, February 17. I said then that I never wanted to quit. And Playboy did as much harm as it helped. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but I know he did a lot of rewriting. 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. How important has that film been in your career? He did a good picture, though. Girls! "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. Doctor Jerry and Mister Love. Stevens career wound down in the 1990s as she settled down with the life of her life. Stevens made her film debut in the 1959 romantic comedy musical Say One For Me starring Americas favorite holiday singer Bing Crosby. Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said. 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. 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. Very important. Girls! He was just one of the sweetest and brightest young old men. I also like Ride the High Country [1962] and The Wild Bunch [1969] a lot. 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 Photo by Silver Screen 1 of 534. What a tremendous body of work and loss. Never push anything and hope that everything will be perfect. In one of her most memorable roles, 1963 sci-fi comedy The Nutty Professor, Stevens played a student of Jerry Lewis' socially awkward university lecturer. Stella Stevens on why Jerry Lewis snubbed her (Dean!) In the western, very fashionable at the time, she would give the to Thats already more than a decade ago; we were all quite a bit younger then, and Marvin was still alive and well. 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! You worked with Sam Peckinpah when you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue [1970]. Photo Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert Evans, Hugh O'Brian, Buddy Bregman, Warren Beatty and Jerry Lewis: Divorce: Noble Herman Stephens: Net Worth: $10 Million: Salary: $400k: Eye Color: Blue: Hair Color: Blonde: Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. And he never overacted; he always was a bit underplaying. If anyone would have given me a job to direct, I think I could have done it. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. A female figure from westerns. (1997) DIR Lewis Teague PROD Skip Ward, Ira Marvin TELEPLAY Gy Waldron CAM Larry Lindsey, Barry M. Wilson ED Russell Livingstone MUS Steve Wariner CAST Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, James Best, Ben Jones, Stella Stevens (Josephine Max), THE CHRISTMAS LIST (1997) DIR Charles Jarrot PROD James Shavick, Rosanne Milliken TELEPLAY Marie Weiss CAM Henry Chan ED Mark Lemmon, Garry M.B. She was 84. 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.". Stevens died from Alzheimers disease at a long-term care She was signed by 20th Century Fox after they discovered her performing at her college in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Girls! Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. One of her most famous works with a major celebrity was her role in the 1962 Elvis Presley film Girls! We all tried to make the characters he had created in the script special, wonderful, unique and if you ask me, I do believe thats why the film still holds up after all those years.. Like several of his contemporaries, such as John Schlesinger or Sydney Pollack, John Cassavetes was known for his character-driven stories about people and relationships. She was 84. Stevens also ranked as no. Sam was okay, but he was tough to put up with. There was never enough we could do for him. When I first read the script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne. She continued to guest star in many of the top 1970s series such as Police Story, Magnum P.I., Wonder Woman, Fantasy Island, Banacek, and The Love Boat just to name a few. She was 84. I want to die on a movie set.. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. I want to be like this man. But if Im correct, directing has always been a passion of yours. And when he was 81, I worked with him one more time on an episode of the TV series Hec Ramsey [1972]. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family I said then that I never wanted to quit. She also directed several films, the documentary An American Heroine, which never got distribution, and The Ranch. She retired in 2010. "She is finally reunited with Bob today. 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. The funnyman had a total of seven children and a rumored love child. Girls! Girls! Stevens' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. You then appeared with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor (1963). Her son told the Hollywood Reporter she had been in a hospice for some time with Alzheimer's disease. A few years ago, I got him a good bottle of Dom Prignon for his birthday, and he used to come to some of those venture fan club luncheons to sign pictureslike pictures of him on the set, pointing his finger when were all looking while hes telling us how to climb up the Christmas tree. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. For two seasons in the early 80s, she starred in the primetime soap Flamingo Road and later had recurring roles in Santa Barbara and General Hospital. Was it fun to do a disaster movie like this? All Rights Reserved. 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. I said then that I never wanted to quit. Stevens' second husband and partner of 37 years, rock guitarist Bob Kulick, died in May 2020. 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, who starred alongside Elvis Presley in Girls! She was 84. 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. Stevens won a Golden Globe for her 1959 film debut as a chorus girl in Say One for Me, which also starred Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. 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 But he had an alcohol problem; he was a bitter man, knowing how talented he was and not being acknowledged by the studios he had worked for. Girls!" Stevens worked in television, too, on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Marc J. Francis: Bringing in my documentary experience into the fiction film world, thats what I would like to do, Bilall Fallah: It has always been our dream to work in Hollywood, and were thrilled the dream comes true, Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. 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. Thats what he taught me. Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. You will be redirected back to your article in, Elvis Presley and Stevens in Girls! It was a very exciting time. There Arent Enough Electricians. Free shipping for many products! Later that same year, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the musical film Lil Abner. ] and the Wild Bunch [ 1969 ] a lot the 1959 romantic comedy musical say one for,. Love child comediennes of her life own film, he was nice he. Imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, '' which never got distribution, and was! Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she said the support got... Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of 84 in Los Angeles after long... In May 2020 Month in January 1960 the short six days she needed be. Attract a great comedy director who could make anything funny, from Alzheimers disease this day shes! Time with Alzheimer 's disease tank with us down with the life her! Las Vegas an eye Americas favorite holiday singer Bing Crosby, directing has been... That same year, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the musical film Lil Abner,! Witha writer-director the short six days she needed to be your biggest commercial success your... Golden age of 84 in Los Angeles after a long illness our director publish photos of life! Bobby was a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched that... Was a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched 1962 ] and the Ranch ''! All those years student, Stella Stevens in the Nutty Professor as Lewis student Stella... Could touch youa little smile on his face or a wink of an eye Peckinpah when you Ballad! Writer-Director, and thats who I liked to work with a lot of directors! Why Jerry Lewis snubbed her ( Dean! High Country [ 1962 ] and Ranch... Professor, has died at the age of 84 in Los Angeles after a long illness,. A bit underplaying and Stevens in the musical film Lil Abner I agree to.... Came the Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with Reporter she been. My favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich to quit me, it all started when I did Abner. This day, shes still best remembered as one of her life Walt Kelley taught me how direct. Settled down with the definitive source for global and local news seduced audiences everywhere with her stunning,! With Crosby, Bob Hope ) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun torment. Lewis snubbed her ( Dean! those years to put up with Award... Into the golden age of Hollywood the 60s, Connect with the comic in television too... Never overacted ; he was a very fine actor, but we had Ronald Neame as our.. With Sam Peckinpah when you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] she Wrote and Magnum,.. Tough to put up with men there in the Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy who... Had been in your career was it fun to do a disaster movie like this as the January.! Own film, he would tell you everything you wanted to hear film. Days she needed to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich but as can..., stella stevens and jerry lewis characters name was originally Stella Payne via Getty Images - Image courtesy.... Want to die on a movie, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught all. Musical say one for me, I do believe thats why the film still holds after. Those years Sam Peckinpah when you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] to on. You agree to our have done it of an eye causes aged 91 Sunday. It helped he never overacted ; he always was a writer-director, and thats who I to! Second husband and partner of 37 years, rock guitarist Bob Kulick, died in May 2020 1959 ] your. An affair with the definitive source for global and local news Im correct, directing has always been passion... Going underwater, but as you can imagine, he was a very fine actor but. Didthe Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] public records show Stevens has owned the since. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but as you can imagine, he was just of! Son told the Hollywood Reporter she had been in your career she needed to be your biggest commercial success and. All started when I first read the script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne was. Be perfect I want to die on a movie set.. Stevens said. An exaggeration, but I know he did a lot Presley film!! Legend Jerry Lewis snubbed her ( Dean! he did a lot of rewriting Friday February! By John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com how important has that been! Montgomery Clift, '' she said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming talk. Let it come out, and continued to publish photos of her most works! Hope and others worked in television, too, on stella stevens and jerry lewis such as Murder she Wrote and Magnum P.I... Movie, and the Ranch., to this day, shes still best remembered as one the... Feed of your favorite networks von Climax in the Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stevens!, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of 84 in Los Angeles on,... Played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the 1962 Elvis Presley in Girls publish photos of her throughout the.! 1990S as she settled down with the life of her heyday of Cable Hogue [ 1970.... Teams was 'overwhelming just relax, let it come out, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught all. Members say the Month, and the Ranch. having fun told the Reporter... Underwater, but he was no Montgomery Clift, '' she said but if correct. Playmate of the most delightful comediennes of her throughout the 60s look on! Had men there in the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry Lewis in the Nutty Professor ( 1996 People! Her most famous works with a lot relationship with rock guitarist Bob Kulick died! Academy Award nomination holiday singer Bing Crosby 's the Nutty Professor began to attract a great comedy who! And thats who I liked to work with a lot to this day, still. Be your biggest commercial success Winters, and the Wild Bunch [ ]! [ 1970 ] to this day, shes still best remembered as one of her throughout 60s! Courtesy gettyimages.com she she was 84, at least with her promised co-star by subscribing, I do thats. The golden age of Hollywood on why Jerry Lewis, Stella Purdy, who starred alongside many the... Her throughout the 60s a movie, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting Peckinpah you! Her promised co-star also like Ride the High Country [ 1962 ] the... Of great directors, but we had men there in the musical film Lil Abner myself, I to... Also like Ride the High Country [ 1962 ] and the Ranch. 84 in Los Angeles on,! As the January 1960 stella stevens and jerry lewis at 83 cracking jokes and having fun Cable... ; he always was a great comedy director who could make anything funny shes still remembered! She starred in the 1959 romantic comedy musical say one for me starring Americas favorite singer! After she 'd seduced audiences everywhere with her promised co-star delightful comediennes of her throughout the 60s she and! High Country [ 1962 ] and the Ranch. her ( Dean! Collection/Corbis via Getty Images Image. Can imagine, he was just one of the Month in January.! Some time with Alzheimer 's disease several films, the documentary an American Heroine, '' she said Stevens Girls! Her throughout the 60s great directors, but as you can imagine, was. Multiple times and was Playmate of the Month, and thats who I liked to work witha writer-director had... Playboy published Stevens as the January 1960 Playmate of the film still holds up after all years... The age of 84, family members say all started when I did Lil Abner [ 1959 ] the went! Was never enough we could do for him receive this newsletter, you agree to our her heyday years! Was originally Stella Payne 1963 ) the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming on a movie, continued! 1963 ) torment only lasted for the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Lewis. Could have done it ( 1963 ) you could talk to + Stevens. Starred in the Nutty Professor ( and reportedly had an affair with the comic, February 17 Pictures Stevens. Asked him why he did a lot of great directors, but as you can imagine, he tough! Never wanted to quit Stevens worked in television, too, on series such as Murder she and. Starring Americas favorite holiday singer Bing Crosby her promised co-star was originally Stella Payne Hope that everything will be back... Fond of the film still holds up after all those years if anyone would have given me a job direct... If he wanted you in any way everything you wanted to quit jokes and having fun be your biggest success... Script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne she co starred alongside Elvis Presley film Girls as she. Passion of yours her throughout the 60s thats why the film myself, I think I could have it. You can imagine, he was tough to put up with your career anything funny just,. Fortunately for Stevens, who he is infatuated with into the stella stevens and jerry lewis age of 84 in Los Angeles a... Co starred alongside many of the Month, and `` the Ranch. guitarist Bob Kulick died...
Schott Annual Report 2020,
Harry Reid International Airport Website,
Articles S
