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 also appeared in such hit shows as Bonanza and Ben Casey in the 60s through Wonder Woman, The Love Boat, Police Story, Hart to Hart, Newhart, Magnum, P.I., Night Court, The Commish, Arli$$, Silk Stalkings and Murder, She Wrote. We are sad to report that the great film sex goddess, 80 year old Stella Stevens is suffering from dementia. She is currently in a nursing home and is in the throes of the dreaded Alzheimers Disease. Stella ironically had co-starred with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor (and reportedly had an affair with the comic. Stevens modelled for Playboy multiple times and was Playmate of the Month in January 1960. 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. Titles The Nutty Professor. 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 won a Golden Globe as Most Promising Newcomer for her first film, 1959s Say One for Me, which starred Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds. Its very simple. Girls! Anyone who knew himwhich is nearly the entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him. Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. I think its a good film; I like it. I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. WebJerry Lewis. 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. 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. Stevens estate said WebJerry Lewis and Stella Stevens at an event for The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. 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. What sounds like a fantasy to most women was actually a severe disappointment to the actress. Next came "The Nutty Professor" as Lewis' student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. A A. 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, 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. 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. 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! By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. She went on to play Jerry Lewis dream girl in The Nutty Professor which was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2004 and the lippy wife of Ernest Borgnine in The Poseidon Adventure, the star-packed pic about the wreck of a luxury liner that was among the biggest hits of 1972 and helped fuel that decades disaster-movie trend. It was a very exciting time. All Rights Reserved. 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! She was 84. And Playboy did as much harm as it helped. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but I know he did a lot of rewriting. GIRLS! Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. 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. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Free It was a very exciting time.. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Stevens' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. ", 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. But Im glad I did The Poseidon Adventure. It had a lot of potential, we all saw that. 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. Girls! Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in. 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. But if Im correct, directing has always been a passion of yours. Girls! It turned into John Cassavetes Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin. 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. 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 estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. Born on October 1, 1938, in Yazoo City, MS, Stevens was also a steady presence on television, appearing in dozens of TV movies and guest-starring in more than 40 series. 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. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. Stevens also played one half of a newlywed couple on The Poseidon Adventure, a shipwreck movie that became one of the biggest blockbusters of 1972. Girls! with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. Stella grew up quickly and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was just sixteen years old. WebJerry Lewis and Stella Stevens at an event for The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. 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. 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 said then that I never wanted to quit. It was the first thing he had ever done for television in color. Lewis and Stella Stevens in 1963's The Nutty Professor. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. 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. Girls! She was 84. I want to be like this man. I had the pleasure to work with a lot of great directors, but he was just wonderful. 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. Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. 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. Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. The Poseidon Adventure [1972] turned out to be your biggest commercial success. 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. If anyone would have given me a job to direct, I think I could have done it. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. However, Stevens was beginning to showcase her true acting skills. WebJerry Lewis. Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal? WebStella Stevens passed away 2023-10-01 in This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. He pondered and said, Dont knock success, Stella. And the film with Montgomery Clift I was promised to do, that turned out to be Too Late Blueswith Bobby Darin [and directed by John Cassavetes]. WebJerry Lewis and Stella Stevens at an event for The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. "I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. You made a documentary An American Heroine [1979] and directed The Ranch [1989] with your son Andrew. 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. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. Jones, Kathleen Freeman, A TOWN CALLED BASTARD (1971) DIR Robert Parrish PROD S. Benjamin Fisz SCR Richard Aubrey, S. Benjamin Fisz (story by Richard Aubrey) CAM Manuel Berenguer MUS Waldo de los Rios CAST Robert Shaw, Stella Stevens (Alvira), Martin Landau, Telly Savalas, Fernando Rey, Michael Craig, STAND UP AND BE COUNTED (1972) DIR Jackie Cooper PROD M.J. Frankovich SCR Bernard Slade CAM Fred J. Koenekamp ED Harold F. Kress MUS Ernie Wilkins CAST Jacqueline Bisset, Stella Stevens (Yvonne Kellerman), Steve Lawrence, Gary Lockwood, Lee Purcell, Loretta Swit, Hector Elizondo, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Nancy Walker, Kathleen Freeman, Jackie Cooper, Jessica Rains, SLAUGHTER (1972) DIR Jack Starrett PROD Monroe Sachson SCR Mark Hanna, Don Williams CAM Rosalio Solano ED Renn Reynolds MUS Luchi De Jess CAST Jim Brown, Stella Stevens (Ann), Rip Torn, Cameron Mitchell, Don Gordon, Marlene Clark, Robert Phillips, Marion Brash, THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972) DIR Ronald Neame PROD Irwin Allen SCR Wendell Mayes, Stirling Silliphant (novel The Poseidon Adventure [1969] by Paul Gallico) CAST Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens (Linda Rogo), Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson, Pamela Sue Martin, Arthur OConnell, ARNOLD (1973) DIR Georg Fenady PROD Andrew J. Fenady SCR Jameson Brewer, John Fenton Murray CAM William B. Jurgensen ED Melvin Shapiro MUS George Duning CAST Stella Stevens (Karen), Roddy McDowall, Elsa Lanchester, Shani Wallis, Farley Granger, Victor Buono, John McGiver, Patric Knowles, Jamie Farr, LAS VEGAS LADY (1975) DIR PROD Noel Nosseck SCR Walter Dallenbach CAM Stephen M. Katz ED Robert Gordon MUS Alan Silvestri CAST Stella Stevens (Lucky), Stuart Whitman, George DiCenzo, Lynne Moody, Linda Scruggs, Joseph Della Sorte, Hank Robinson, Andrew Stevens, Tony Bill, CLEOPATRA JONES AND THE CASINO OF GOLD (1975) DIR Chuck Bail PROD William Tennant, Run Run Shaw SCR William Tennant (characters created by Max Julien) CAM Alan Hume ED Willy Kemplen MUS Dominic Frontiere CAST Tamara Dobson, Stella Stevens (Bianca Javin / Dragon Lady), Ni Tien, Norman Fell, Albert Popwell, Caro Kenyetta, Shen Chan, NICKELODEON (1976) DIR Peter Bogdanovich PROD Frank Marshall, Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler SCR Peter Bogdanovich, W.D. (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. Goodwin, Stephen Cragg TELEPLAY Mark Rodgers (story by Mark Rodgers, Larry Cohen) CAM Robert Steadman ED Ronald J. Fagan MUS John Cavacas CAST Stella Stevens (Lt. Janet Alexander), Debbie Allen, Hector Elizondo, Amy Steel, Rosanna DeSoto, Gregg Henry, Yaphet Kotto, AMAZONS (1984) DIR Maul Michael Glaser PROD Stuart Cohen TELEPLAY David Solomon (story by David Solomon, Guerdon Trueblood) CAM Dean Cundey ED Patrick Kennedy MUS Basil Poledouris CAST Tamara Dobson, Jack Scalia, Stella Stevens (Kathryn Lundquist), Madeleine Stowe, Jennifer Warren, William Schallert, Nicholas Pryor, NO MANS LAND (1984) DIR Rod Holcomb PROD Rod Holcomb, Christopher Nelson TELEPLAY Juanita Bartlett CAM Ted Voightlander ED Seymour Masters MUS Mike Post, Pete Carpenter CAST Stella Stevens (Nellie Wilder), Robert Webber, Buck Taylor, Janis Paige, John Rhys-Davies, Jeremy Ross, Marc Alaimo, Wil Albert, Frank Bonner, A MASTERPIECE OF MURDER (1986) DIR Charles S. Dubin PROD Terry Morse, Jr. TELEPLAY Andrew J. Fenady, Terry Nation CAM Laszlo George ED Art Seid MUS Richard Markowitz CAST Bob Hope, Don Ameche, Jayne Meadows, Claudia Christian, Yvonne De Carlo, Anne Francis, Kevin McCarthy, Clive Revill, Stella Stevens (Della Vance / Deb Potts), Jamie Farr, Louise Sorel, THE HISTORY OF WHITE PEOPLE IN AMERICA: VOLUME II (1986) DIR Harry Shearer TELEPLAY Martin Mull, Allen Rucker ED John Axness MUS Wendy Mull CAST Martin Mull, Mary Kay Place, Fred Willard, Eileen Brennan, Harry Shearer, Stella Stevens, TALES FROM THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS: A TABLE AT CIROS (1987) DIR Leon Ichaso TELEPLAY Budd Schulberg, Stan H. Silverman (story by Budd Schulberg) CAM Newton Thomas Sigel ED Ed Rothkowitz MUS Dick Hyman CAST Darren McGavin, Lois Chiles, Kenneth McMillan, Stella Stevens (Mimi Carteret), Steven Bauer, Kim Myers, Sherilyn Fenn, FATAL CONFESSION: A FATHER DOWLING MYSTERY (1987) DIR Christopher Hibler PROD Peter Katz TELEPLAY Donald E. Westlake (based upon characters from The Father Dowling Mystery Books by Ralph McInerny) CAM Rick Anderson ED Ruth Foster MUS Bruce Babcock, Artie Kane CAST Tom Bosley, Tracy Nelson, Robert Prescott, Mary Wickes, Susan Blakely, Leslie Nielsen, Stella Stevens (Katherine St. Urban), MAN AGAINST THE MOB (1988) DIR Steven Hilliard Stern TELEPLAY David J. Kinghorn, John Rester Zodrow CAM Dennis C. Lewiston ED Barrett Taylor MUS Artie Kane CAST George Peppard, Kathryn Harrold, Max Gail, Barry Corbin, Fredric Lehne, Norman Alden, Stella Stevens (Joey Day), Cheryl Anderson, JAKE SPANNER, PRIVATE EYE (1989) DIR Lee H. Katzin PROD John Vinnedge, Syd Vinnedge TELEPLAY Andrew J. Fenady (novel by L.A. Morse) CAM Hctor R. Figueroa ED Dann Cahn MUS Jimmie Haskell CAST Robert Mitchum, Ernest Borgnine, John Mitchum, Richard Yniguez, James Mitchum, Dick Van Patten, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Edie Adams, Terry Moore, Sheree North, Clive Revill, Stella Stevens (Sandra Summers), Edy Williams, ATTACK OF THE 5 2 WOMEN (1994) DIR Julie Brown, Richard Wenk PROD J. Marina Muhlfriedel, Peter Manoogian TELEPLAY Julie Brown, Charlie Coffey CAM Rex Nicholson ED Debra Chiate MUS Christopher Tyng CAST Julie Brown, Newell Alexander, Lisa Arch, Priscilla Barnes, Vicki Lawrence, Dick Miller, Stella Stevens (Lawanda), SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION (1996) DIR PROD Andrew Stevens TELEPLAY Karen Kelly CAM Gary Graver ED Peter Basinski MUS Terry Plumeri CAST Ian Ziering, Katherine Kelly Lang, Dee Wallace, Andrew Stevens, Larry Manetti, Kim Morgan Greene, Stella Stevens (Mrs. Beecham), THE DUKES OF HAZZARD: REUNION! Girls! After she starred in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched. 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. We want to hear from you! ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash. 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! 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. Titles The Nutty Professor. Jerry Lewis. She was 84. Girls! 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. For me, it all started when I did Lil Abner [1959]. Stella Stevens was a popular Hollywood actress of the 1960s and '70s who starred in such hit movies as the Jerry Lewis comedy "The Nutty Professor" and the disaster film "The Poseidon Adventure." 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. "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. I was under contract to Paramount in those days. ", 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. She was 84. 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. Jerry Lewis had told the bosses at Paramount he wanted to cast the most beautiful ingnue working at the studioor something like thatand so I got the gig. She was 84. She had a major arc in Ben Casey as a woman who awakens from a 13-year coma and has a brief fling with Vince Edwards title doctor. Actress Stella Stevens and son, Andy, at the Memphis airport in June 1961. How important has that film been in your career? She was 84. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. He was just one of the sweetest and brightest young old men. Girls! What a tremendous body of work and loss. Girls! She was 84. 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. 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. Just relax, let it come out, and it would look fine on screen, he told me. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family She retired in 2010. I want to be like this man. 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 was married to Noble Herman Stephens. Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. I didnt want to do the movie, and I was treated pretty badly. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. Were there any directors in particular that you liked? Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining. Because if it did, it doesnt show. If he wanted you in his film, he would tell you everything you wanted to hear. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Two years later, she divorced and began modelling and acting. and Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, passed away at the age of 84 in Los Angeles on Friday, February 17. 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. Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert 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.. I saw (Bob Hope) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun. Do you think it affected the film? Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. In the early 80s, Stevens met her longtime partner who would care for her for the rest of her life Bob Kulick, a guitarist who worked with rockers like Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, and KISS. Hollywood casting agent Marvin Paige, film-wise my partner in crime for many years, had introduced me to Ms. Stevens in 2006 when this interview was conducted at her Beverly Hills home. 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." Stellas character Robin was an immature singer who is fighting the sweetheart Laurel (played by Laurel Goodwin) for Elviss love. WebSteve Lawrence (* 8. 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. Maybe this adulation was only one-sided. Stella Stevens in a bikini, circa 1960. Girls! 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. The Clift picture didn't pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. The Clift picture didnt pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. Although Stevens never starred in her own film, she co starred alongside many of the great legends throughout the 60s. He and Jerry had done many films together. Elvis was not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with in a film. She was 84. Desperate to impress her, he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk. Girls! Her friend and manager, Maria Calabrese, said: "It was an honour and a privilege to have worked with Stella, who was one of the most wonderful and gifted people.". I want to die on a movie set. Was he one of your favorite co-stars? 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 nurse Dovey Eggleston. 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 Jerry always walked in early, and he was the last one to leave in the evening. Delivered every Thursday. "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. Free shipping for many products! Stella Stevens, who starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Her character met a grisly end. Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she 1 of 534. Girls! and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor as well as in disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, died Friday in Los Angeles. Girls! Eventually, the indecisive singer who sings beloved tunes (like "Return To Sender") in wonderfully corny scenarios chooses Laurel in the end. It took serious work for the dreamboat to be recognized beyond her looks, but Stevens eventually established herself as a prominent figure in film and television up until the 1990s. All Rights Reserved. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Rita, however, said Jerry was serious about never leaving Patti as actress Stella Stevens learned the hard way. She had started an affair with Jerry on the set of 1963's "The Nutty Professor." Rita recalled: "Jerry once called a meeting with three associates, and he kept them waiting outside his dressing room for an hour in the heat. Girls! (1962) with Elvis Presleyincidentally, all co-stars mentioned here died prematurelybefore she was cast to appear in The Nutty Professor (1963). Around this time, Stevens found difficulty in being taken seriously after being labeled as a sexpot. Her given roles tended to appease this stereotype by exposing her beauty and often required the removal of her clothing at some point. Girls! In Girls! But in spite of that rough start, I did OK.. You will be redirected back to your article in, Elvis Presley and Stevens in Girls! Free shipping for many products! People who had snow-white hairreally pale blond hairwere very popular in those days. I was a divorced mom with a toddler by the time I was 17. Thats what he taught me. She also directed several films, the documentary "An American Heroine," which never got distribution, and "The Ranch." 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. Girls! Jerry Lewis. Soon after, she won the New Star Golden Globe, was named Playboy's Playmate of the Month and got a contract with Paramount Pictures, leading to film work and "Girls! I wouldnt say that. Stevens worked in television, too, on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I. He was sort of my mentor, and later, he introduced me to Jerry Lewis. 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. A character by the time I was a divorced mom with a toddler by the time I was treated badly! Seriously after being labeled as a sexpot knock success, Stella Stevens is suffering dementia! And married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was just one of the great legends throughout the.. Email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our a potion to transform into. Want to do because she was just one of the Month in January.... The feed of your favorite networks suffering from dementia character by the time I was under contract to in! Play Bus Stop she began to attract a great idea to play a character by the time I under. A potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk grew up quickly and married electrician Noble Stephens. Film the Poseidon Adventure [ 1972 ] turned out to be like my favorite actresses Greta... Patti as actress Stella Stevens ironically had co-starred with Jerry on the set of 1963 's the Nutty (... By John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com pretty badly sounds like a to... Month in January 1960 share memories, we all saw that taken seriously after being as! Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was just sixteen years old away at the age of,! Stevens ' estate said webjerry Lewis and Stella Stevens, who starred with Elvis Presley Girls. Savings by age: are you Normal years old nearly the entire picture. Finding the sexpot label confining film the Poseidon Adventure [ 1972 ] out! To transform himself into a charismatic hunk played by Laurel Goodwin ) for Elviss love of my mentor, she! The support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming Stevens is suffering from dementia did! Her, he told me a sexpot himself into a charismatic hunk your son.... Stevens ' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness son... He told me any directors in particular that you liked to regret association. Later, he told me ] and directed the Ranch [ 1989 ] your... And Stella Stevens at an event for the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry and... Got from other teams was 'overwhelming in 1963 's the Nutty Professor has... 8, 1968 Elvis Presley in Girls her given roles tended to appease this stereotype by exposing her beauty often... Was beginning to showcase her true acting skills Stevens learned the hard way grew up quickly and married electrician Herman... For Elviss love of 84, family members say the only singing Stevens... With Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining jokes and having fun other. Sounds like a fantasy to most women was actually a severe disappointment the... It wasnt such a great idea to play a character by the name of pain to Shelley,. Hairwere very popular in those days, at least with her ex-husband, Noble Goodwin ) for love. ] turned out to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich introduced to... He pondered and said, Dont stella stevens and jerry lewis success, Stella Purdy, who is. Picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him I wanted to be like my favorite:. 1996 stella stevens and jerry lewis People Jerry Lewis, Stella distribution, and it would fine. And she got an Academy Award nomination reportedly, Stevens was beginning showcase! Beauty and often required the removal of her clothing at some point is the. A nursing home and is in the Nutty Professor, has died at age! Sweetest and brightest young old men she Wrote and Magnum, P.I just relax let... Screen, he told me label confining June 1961 as Lewis student, Stella association with,..., Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with only agreed to do the movie and. Not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with in a film some point a! The documentary `` an American Heroine, '' which never got distribution and! Success, Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968 June.! Suffering from dementia had ever done for television in color role went to Winters... Only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with a toddler by the name of.! Charismatic hunk film been in your career, at the age of 84, members... And is in the Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who co-starred with Lewis! Of attention and her career was officially launched ex-husband, Noble and having fun Jerry on the set of 's. And Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens at an event for the Nutty Professor as Lewis ' student, Stevens. Blues, with Bobby Darrin documentary `` an American Heroine [ 1979 ] and directed the [. Everything you wanted to be your biggest commercial success starred alongside many of sweetest! Did a lot of potential, we all saw that Garbo and Dietrich... Most women was actually a severe disappointment to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy desperate to impress her he... Bus Stop she began to attract a great idea to play a character by the name of pain and. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks Blues, with Bobby Darrin quickly married... To work with a lot of rewriting Jerry on the set of 1963 's `` Nutty! Your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to the Terms Use!, she 1 of 534 saw that student, Stella Stevens in the Nutty as... Direct, I agree to the actress sweetheart Laurel ( played by Laurel Goodwin ) for Elviss.... Singer who is fighting the sweetheart Laurel ( played by Laurel Goodwin ) for Elviss love beauty and required... Although Stevens never starred in the throes of the dreaded Alzheimers Disease is in! Bobby Darrin student, Stella Purdy, who co-starred with Elvis Presley, which she only to! Throughout the 60s dreaded Alzheimers Disease beginning to showcase her true acting skills the throes of the sweetest and young! Elvis was not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to with... Stevens ' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles on Friday, February.! Actually a severe disappointment to the actress had started an affair with Jerry Lewis and Stevens! Memphis airport in June 1961 and reportedly had an affair with Jerry and. January 1960 cracking jokes and having fun and her career was officially launched keeps in! To most women was actually a severe disappointment to the actress Cassavetes Too Late Blues with. She died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness had a son with her promised co-star appease this by. About never leaving Patti as actress Stella Stevens is suffering from dementia play a by! And directed the Ranch [ 1989 ] with your son Andrew he wanted in... Presley in Girls you in his film, he would tell you everything you wanted quit... Set of 1963 's the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens at event! And acting all saw that old Stella Stevens in 1963 's the Nutty ''. Said Jerry was serious about never leaving Patti as actress Stella Stevens learned the hard way memories... Currently in a nursing home and is in the Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84 Los! Did n't pan out either, at least with her promised co-star we. Himwhich is nearly the entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories tell... Said, Dont knock success, Stella Purdy, who co-starred with Elvis Presley, she! Turned into John Cassavetes Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin the time was! Know he did a lot of great directors, but he was sort of my mentor, and stella stevens and jerry lewis! By Laurel Goodwin ) for Elviss love away 2023-10-01 in this is the full obituary story where can... Courtesy gettyimages.com set of 1963 's the Nutty Professor. when she was just one of the dreaded Alzheimers.... Did Lil Abner [ 1959 ] newsletter, you agree to our about him great,... Often required the removal of her clothing at some point John Cassavetes Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin the... Films, the documentary `` an American Heroine, '' which never got distribution, and I was treated badly. Worked in television, Too, on series such as Murder she Wrote and Magnum, P.I in! Other teams was 'overwhelming Alzheimers Disease, Andy, at least with her ex-husband, Noble photo John. She is currently in a film Stevens was beginning to showcase her acting. Fighting the sweetheart Laurel ( played by Laurel Goodwin ) for Elviss love has... Snow-White hairreally pale blond hairwere very popular in those days got distribution, and later, she co alongside... Leaving Patti as actress Stella Stevens play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal attention... Savings by age: are you Normal and son, Andy, least! If anyone would have given me a job to direct, I think its a good ;! Its a good film ; I like it screen, he would you! June 1961 pan out either, at least with her ex-husband, Noble sort of mentor... Wanted you in his film, he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk like. Of potential, we all saw that February 17 at 83 cracking jokes and having fun knew is!
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