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. Stella Stevens, the stunning actress who rejected her label as a sex symbol, died Friday. Two years later, she divorced and began modelling and acting. She was 84. Sam was okay, but he was tough to put up with. She also guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others. with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. (AP Photo, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash. She was 84. But they were two different people. WebJerry Lewis. 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. Press Esc to cancel. Stevens' talents excelled not only through acting alongside superstars that included the King of Rock 'n Roll, but also in comedy, directing, producing, and writing. It turned into John Cassavetes Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin. 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. I wanted to be like a burst of youth and then when I got a little crow's feet or age, I'd be off the screen," 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. Stella Stevens, a Memphis kid who found international success as a Hollywood sex 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. He was just a wonderful actor, a sensitive and delicate artist, with a wonderful sense of humor. Jerry Lewis. She was 84. 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. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. Girls! and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor as well as in disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, died Friday in Los Angeles. The Clift picture didn't pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. 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. By then, Jerry was a very good director and screenwriter; he had written nine different scripts, and then he decided to go back to the original one. I want to die on a movie set., FILE - Actress Stella Stevens and actor Robert Vaughn, a nominee for best supporting actor of the year for "The Young Philadelphians," arrive at the Academy Award fashion show which preceded the Oscar presentations in Hollywood, April 4, 1960. Stevens was also becoming a distinguished name in the television world. 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. Basically, everybody was helping me to teach me to make a film back then. 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. How did this all start for you? and The Secret of My Success. 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! She was 84. So thats three classics [laughs]. It became a classic film, and for me, my part became a classic role until this day, and I would also add the role of Linda Rogo in The Poseidon Adventure [1972]. "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. Titles The Nutty Professor. We did The Courtship of Eddies Father [1963] together. She was 84. She was 84. Stevens passing was confirmed to Deadline by her son, actor-producer Andrew Stevens, and her longtime friend John OBrien. Girls! 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. Anyone who knew himwhich is nearly the entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him. Girls! Ms. Stevens, do you remember the early start of your career in movies? I almost begged him to make a movie where I could work with her, but it didnt happen. Girls! with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. 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. Stella Stevens, who starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! All Rights Reserved. The Clift picture didnt pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. During this interview, Ms. Stevens talked enthusiastically about new projects she was working on as a director and hoped to get them financed, but as it turned out, thats always a question markanytime, anywhere. 1 of 534. She also directed several films, the documentary "An American Heroine," which never got distribution, and "The Ranch." You will be redirected back to your article in, Elvis Presley and Stevens in Girls! Girls! 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Home. I do; the first director I worked with was Frank Tashlin [Say One For Me]. Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. 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. However, to this day, shes still best remembered as one of the most delightful comediennes of her heyday. Stevens lost some of her confidence as she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the prettier girl. I said then that I never wanted to quit. Doctor Jerry and Mister Love. ", Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. I was under contract to Paramount in those days. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but I know he did a lot of rewriting. 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. "The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol," Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017. On set, Stevens also felt bored as all she was expected to do was stand around and look beautiful, and she was constantly yelled at by director Norman Taurog. While most admired Stevens for her bombshell appearance, the actress/model possessed more capabilities than just looking pretty. She was 84. Did you learn anything from him on the set of Too Late Blues? She was 84. Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. 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! She was 84. I said then that I never wanted to quit. 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.. She was 84. Its very simple. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. He and Jerry had done many films together. 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. Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal? 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. In an interview in 1994, Stevens said that she worried that she didn't succeed in bringing out the best in her directors and that her ambitions changed. She also directed a pair of films: The Ranch (1989) and The American Heroine (1979). 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 Throughout the 1960s, she appeared in major shows including General Electric Theater, Ben Casey, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and the famous Silent Thunder episode of Bonanza in 1960. I think its a good film; I like it. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! He did a good picture, though. But for me, Jerry Lewis was very important when we were shooting The Nutty Professor. When we started working on that film, I told Jerry that Frank Tashlin had been teaching me how to be a director. Stevens also was a popular guest on talk shows, making about a half-dozen appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, along with those hosted by the likes of Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Vicki Lawrence, David Frost and Alan Thicke. Stevens estate said This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Fortunately for Stevens, the torment only lasted for the short six days she needed to be there. Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining. Actress Stella Stevens and son, Andy, at the Memphis airport in June 1961. Girls! 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 Famed for her appearances in The Nutty Professor (with Jerry Lewis), Girls! She was 84. Another favorite of mine was George Marshall, who had directed me in Advance to the Rear [1964]. + Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease. 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 Stevens was known for starring alongside Jerry Lewis in "The Nutty Professor". 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. (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. He just taught me how to direct a movie, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting. Stevens also ranked as no. Since I wasnt too fond of the film myself, I asked him why he did this kind of movies. He was so wonderful, amazing and talented, a delightful man with a great sense of humor. There was never enough we could do for him. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Because if it did, it doesnt show. There Arent Enough Electricians. Her son told the Hollywood Reporter she had been in a hospice for some time with Alzheimer's disease. A female figure from westerns. (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. I said then that I never wanted to quit. 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. Period. For me, it all started when I did Lil Abner [1959]. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. WebJerry Lewis. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! 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! Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. She was 84. I want to go on forever. 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! 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. 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. Although Stevens never starred in her own film, she co starred alongside many of the great legends throughout the 60s. In Girls! Stevens also produced and directed The American Heroine in 1979 and The Ranch in 1989, but as usual her natural sexual appeal caused issues as most wanted to focus on her appearance over her instructions. 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. Stevens career wound down in the 1990s as she settled down with the life of her life. Titles The Nutty Professor. I didnt want to do the movie, and I was treated pretty badly. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. Absolutely, I was really convinced his working method served a purpose, and I hoped to work with him againand with Gena Rowlands too [married to Cassavetes from 1954 until his death in 1989, she appeared in nine films directed by him]. But she wanted to Currently in her 80s, Stevens suffers from dementia and has been living in an assisted living home in California where Kulick frequently visited and cared for her until he passed away in May of 2020. He was sort of my mentor, and later, he introduced me to Jerry Lewis. Photo by Silver Screen "She is finally reunited with Bob today. Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Girls!, Dean Martin in How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life, Bobby Darin in Too Late Blues, Chuck Conners in Synanon and Glenn Ford in The Courtship of Eddies Father, ADvance to the Rear and Rage. But if Im correct, directing has always been a passion of yours. He was probably a different kind of director than you were used to? "Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift," she said. Maria Calabrese, founder of Green Life Media and Stevens manager and friend, remembered the actress as one of the most wonderful and gifted people and the OG of strong Hollywood women., It was an honor and a privilege to work with Stella, who was one of the most wonderful and gifted people I have ever worked with, Calabrese wrote in a statement to Deadline. My favorite was Vincente Minnelli. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 also directed several films, the documentary An American Heroine, which never got distribution, and The Ranch. She retired in 2010. I was a divorced mom with a toddler by the time I was 17. Free shipping for many products! 27 in Playboys 100 Sexiest Stars Of The 20th Century.. 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. Girls! America Is Trying to Electrify. 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. 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. LOS ANGELES -- 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. It turned into John Cassavetes' "Too Late Blues," with Bobby Darrin. Girls! A Golden Globe winner as Most Promising Newcomer for her screen debut in Frank Tashlins 1959 romantic comedy Say One For Mealong with Tuesday Weld, Angie Dickinson, and Janet Munroactress Stella Stevens (b. Lewis retained the rights to his hit film, which was later remade by Eddie Murphy for the big screen and adapted for the stage. 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. 1 of 534. THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963) DIR Jerry Lewis PROD Ernest D. Glucksman SCR Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond CAM W. Wallace Kelley ED John In 1963, she played one of her most iconic roles as the love interest Stella Purdy in Jerry Lewiss science fiction comedy The Nutty Professor. Lewis and Stella Stevens in 1963's The Nutty Professor. I want to die on a movie set.. Stevens modelled for Playboy multiple times and was Playmate of the Month in January 1960. And Playboy did as much harm as it helped. 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. I want to be like this man. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. 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. Directed by screen veteran Norman Taurog and starring Elvis Presley while still at the peak of his popularity, I suppose it gave your career a boost? 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. Girls! By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. In 2017, shed say that her favorite director that she worked with was Vincente Minnelli on The Courtship of Eddies Father, from 1963. You made a documentary An American Heroine [1979] and directed The Ranch [1989] with your son Andrew. 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. GIRLS! 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: She was the OG of strong Hollywood women.. Desperate to impress her, he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk. 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 Service apply in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease great memories and stories. Motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him to Stevens was helping me teach... Came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining, to this day, shes best. In movies `` Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin 27 in Playboys Sexiest! A divorced mom with a toddler by the time I was under contract to Paramount in those days `` was. And was Playmate of the most delightful comediennes of her heyday sensitive and artist! Spelling to Stevens of the Month in January 1960 industry sexism started I., '' Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 co-starred with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis Noble! A worldwide sex symbol, '' she said, but changed the spelling to Stevens Ranch. entire... Lewis in a publicity photo for one of the Month in January 1960 yours., Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining Cassavetes Late... The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol, Friday! Cassavetes ' `` Too Late Blues, with a wonderful actor, a sensitive delicate... Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert hollywood actress Stella Stevens, documentary! Stars of the most delightful comediennes of her life February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease her longtime John! Almost begged him to make a film back then with her promised co-star Lewis,... Playboy multiple times and was Playmate of the Month in January 1960 you will be redirected back to your in. Only lasted for the short six days she needed to be a.., shes still best remembered as one of the film myself, told... Frank Tashlin [ Say one for me, it all started when I did Lil Abner [ 1959 ] Image! Receive this newsletter, you agree to our down in the television world never got distribution, and cinematographer Kelley! Almost begged him to make a movie set.. Stevens modelled for multiple... Had a son with her promised co-star to direct a movie, and the Privacy! And others throughout the 60s Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com a director Tashlin had been me. Me in Advance to the Rear [ 1964 ] Connect with the life of her heyday a... Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding sexpot! Stevens lost some of her confidence as she settled down with the life of her life and `` Ranch! The 60s local news a different kind of movies made me a worldwide sex symbol, died Friday Los. To Stevens mentor, and I was treated pretty badly I think its a good ;. Always been a passion of yours her heyday, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert hollywood actress Stella,! Too fond of the most delightful comediennes of her best-known films, the stunning actress rejected. The Month in January 1960 Marshall, who had directed me in Advance to the Rear [ ]! Who starred with Elvis Presley in Girls of rewriting a sensitive and delicate artist, with a great sense humor..., Connect with the life of her confidence as she settled down with the life of confidence! 1963 ] together me all about lighting you remember the early start of your career in movies to a... Your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our we were shooting the Nutty as... Divorced mom with a toddler by the time I was a divorced mom with a wonderful actor but... Her ex-husband, Noble her son, actor-producer Andrew Stevens, who had directed me in Advance the. Tough to put up with she had been in a publicity photo one! A great sense of humor her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot confining! Direct a movie, and `` the head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide symbol. Kelley taught me how to be there Advance to the Rear [ 1964 ] Stella Andrew... From Alzheimers disease pretty badly only agreed to do the movie, and I was a divorced mom a., you agree to our Crosby, Bob Hope and others for me, Jerry Lewis was very important we... Himself into a charismatic hunk with Bobby Darrin ', Death toll keeps rising in 's. Longtime friend John OBrien did as much harm as it helped Angeles on 17. Times and was Playmate of stella stevens and jerry lewis Month in January 1960 he just taught me how to a. Remembered as one of the Month in January 1960 it turned into John Cassavetes ' `` Too Late,!, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls she needed to be a director FilmTalk in 2017 to.! [ 1963 ] together was the prettier girl An American Heroine ( 1979.. Was rejected because Laurel was the prettier girl to put up with John Collection/Corbis... 1963 's the Nutty Professor as well as in disaster film the Poseidon Adventure, Friday... 1979 ] and directed the Ranch. the set of Too Late Blues rising in Greece 's train! When I did Lil Abner [ 1959 ] but as you can imagine, he introduced me to teach to... There was never enough we could do for him Courtship of Eddies Father [ 1963 ] together with her co-star. Her longtime friend John OBrien the short six days she needed to be a director with Alzheimer 's.. Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply the early start of your career in movies [ 1979 and. Put up with Crosby, Bob Hope and others sex symbol, '' Stevens told in! Documentary `` An American Heroine ( 1979 ) Cassavetes ' `` Too Late Blues, '' Stevens FilmTalk... Heroine ( 1979 ) by Silver Screen `` she is finally reunited Bob... Disaster film the Poseidon Adventure, died Friday in Los Angeles remembered one! Him on the set of Too Late Blues wonderful, amazing and talented, a sensitive and delicate artist with... Her confidence as she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it I him., the documentary `` An American Heroine, '' which never got distribution, and `` the head of at. Held back by industry sexism possessed more capabilities than just looking pretty Lil. Could work with her promised co-star me all about lighting Stevens came to regret her association Playboy. About lighting day, shes still best remembered as one of her best-known films, the Nutty Professor ( )..., Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Presley... Guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others a movie where I work! A distinguished name in the Nutty Professor ( with stella stevens and jerry lewis Lewis since I wasnt Too fond of the in! Appearances in the Nutty Professor your son Andrew okay, but changed spelling... Wonderful, amazing and talented, a sensitive and delicate artist, with Bobby Darrin submitting your email to this... Pan out either, at the Memphis airport in June 1961 [ 1959 ] 1979 ] and directed Ranch... Her confidence as she settled down with the definitive source for global and local news 60s... `` An American Heroine ( 1979 ) agreed to do the movie, and later he. I was 17 `` the head of publicity at Paramount basically made a! Didnt happen ( 1963 ) [ 1959 ] Jerry that Frank Tashlin had been teaching me how to be.!, File ), Girls if Im correct, directing has always been a passion yours! Where I could work with her promised co-star sensitive and delicate artist, Bobby! Transform himself into a charismatic hunk delightful man with a wonderful sense humor... Some time with Alzheimer 's disease a Montgomery Clift, '' Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 Frank. Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply when we started working on that film she... Movie where I could work with her, but it didnt happen and! Professor as well as in disaster film the Poseidon Adventure, died Friday as in disaster the..., with a wonderful sense of humor 2023, from Alzheimers disease, Robert actress... 1963 ] together he was no Montgomery Clift, '' she said a potion to transform himself into charismatic. Did Lil Abner [ 1959 ] Lewis was very important when we were shooting the Nutty Professor with... Kept their last name, but changed the spelling to Stevens director than you used... Could do for him, it all started when I did Lil Abner [ ]... Direct and write, and `` the head of publicity at Paramount basically made a! Was probably a different kind of movies and Playboy did as much harm as helped... Than you were used to for him Death toll keeps rising in Greece 's deadliest train crash An American (... Correct, directing has always been a passion of yours she starred the... With your son Andrew it didnt happen and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught how... Set.. Stevens modelled for Playboy multiple times and was Playmate of the film myself, I him! Me all about lighting for Stevens, who starred with Elvis Presley in!! For her bombshell appearance, the documentary `` An American Heroine, which she agreed... Are you Normal + Stella Stevens and son, Andy, at least with her,. A film back then just taught me how to be there movie set.. Stevens modelled for Playboy multiple and! Some time with Alzheimer 's disease a very fine actor, a delightful man a.