She was 84. 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. WebJerry Lewis and Stella Stevens at an event for The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. At Columbia Pictures, shed appear in The Secret of My Success, The Silencers, with Dean Martin, and Where Angels Go Trouble Follows, as a nun opposite Rosalind Russell. Stella Stevens, 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. Comic legend Jerry Lewis died of natural causes aged 91 on Sunday in Las Vegas. February 17, 2023 10:58am Stella Stevens Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring Famed for her appearances in The Nutty Professor (with Jerry Lewis), Girls! She is also remembered for her role in action movie The Poseidon Adventure. ", 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. Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining. 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 It turned into John Cassavetes Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin. Stevens' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. 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. And if you ask me, I do believe thats why the film still holds up after all those years. Was Girls! and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family Send us a tip using our annonymous form. I said then that I never wanted to quit. I want to die on a movie set. She was 84. 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 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. We want to hear from you! In 2017, shed say that her favorite director that she worked with was Vincente Minnelli on The Courtship of Eddies Father, from 1963. 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. 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. 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.". He did a good picture, though. Stevens worked in television, too, on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I. I saw (Bob Hope) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun. Stella grew up quickly and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was just sixteen years old. 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. She was 84. BACK. And Playboy did as much harm as it helped. Another favorite of mine was George Marshall, who had directed me in Advance to the Rear [1964]. 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. 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. What about Elvis Presley, did he support you in any way? 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. Girls! I want to die on a movie set.. There Arent Enough Electricians. 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!, 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. Girls! 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. and Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, passed away at the age of 84 in Los Angeles on Friday, February 17. Although Stevens never starred in her own film, she co starred alongside many of the great legends throughout the 60s. 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. I said then that I never wanted to quit. Delivered every Thursday. 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 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. She was photographed wherever she went and rapidly became an icon known as one of the most photographed women in the world. Her candid photographs were so impressive that she began professionally modeling to coincide with her acting career. 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. 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. Girls! Stella Stevens, Hollywood Bombshell Who Yearned for More, Dies at 84 She starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis. Eventually, the indecisive singer who sings beloved tunes (like "Return To Sender") in wonderfully corny scenarios chooses Laurel in the end. Home. 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! Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. Doctor Jerry and Mister Love. 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. 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. Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! I almost begged him to make a movie where I could work with her, but it didnt happen. 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. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. Photo by Silver Screen She was the OG of strong Hollywood women.. 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. in 1960. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Since I wasnt too fond of the film myself, I asked him why he did this kind of movies. Because if it did, it doesnt show. Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! 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. The Clift picture didn't pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. In 2017, she'd say that her favorite director that she worked with was Vincente Minnelli on "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," from 1963. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. 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. You then appeared with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor (1963). I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. She was signed by 20th Century Fox after they discovered her performing at her college in Memphis, Tennessee. 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." 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. Well, he was nice; he was someone you could talk to. and The Secret of My 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. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. So, no matter how tough the work was, we did absolutely everything we could. Girls! She was 84. Jerry Lewis. She also directed two films - The American Heroine (1979) and The Ranch (1989), starring her son. Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. I didnt want to do the movie, and I was treated pretty badly. Stellas character Robin was an immature singer who is fighting the sweetheart Laurel (played by Laurel Goodwin) for Elviss love. Girls! Fortunately for me, it was only six days work. Ms. Stevens, do you remember the early start of your career in movies? Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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 Girls! Also, we had Ronald Neame as our director. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! "The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol," Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017. Stevens estate said 1 of 534. Girls!, starring opposite Presley in 1962, Stevens said she did not like the script, but Paramount told her she was contractually obliged to do it. "I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Later the studio dropped her, but she was signed by Paramount. + Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease. 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! 1938) has always been one of the screens most prominent leading ladies of the 1960s and 1970s. Anyone who knew himwhich is nearly the entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him. 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. Was he one of your favorite co-stars? in 1963. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. 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. Desperate to impress her, he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk. Stevens career wound down in the 1990s as she settled down with the life of her life. You worked with Sam Peckinpah when you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue [1970]. 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. 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. Throughout the 80s she took part in some recurring roles on Santa Barbara, Burkes Law, General Hospital, Night Court, and Murder She Wrote. Stevens estate said "Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift," she said. But if Im correct, directing has always been a passion of yours. First, I didnt want to do this film, but I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do one more film. Home. She was 84. Girls!, died today in Los Angeles after a long battle with Alzheimers disease. 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? He was sort of my mentor, and later, he introduced me to Jerry Lewis. Girls! Girls! Were there any directors in particular that you liked? 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! I want to be like this man. Actress Stella Stevens and son, Andy, at the Memphis airport in June 1961. 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. Her many other film credits include The Silencers, The Ballad of Cable Hogue, Sol Madrid, Where Angels Go Trouble Follows! Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. After she starred in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched. Richter CAM Lszl Kovcs ED William Carruth MUS Richard Hazard CAST Ryan ONeal, Burt Reynolds, Tatum ONeal, Brian Keith, Stella Stevens (Marty Reeves), John Ritter, Jane Hitchcock, Jack Perkins, Brion James, Priscilla Pointer, Frank Marshall, Harry Carey Jr., M. Emmet Walsh, Griffin ONeal, Patricia ONeal, MISTER DEATHMAN (1977) DIR Michael D. Moore PROD Raymond R. Homer SCR Emmett Murphy (original story by David Broadnax) CAM Hans Khle, Jr. ED Elka Bijker, Herbert Taschner CAST David Broadnax, Stella Stevens (Liz), Arthur Brauss, Lena Farugia, Brian OShaughnessy, Ian Hamilton, Len Sparrowhawk, Bill Curry, THE MANITOU (1978) DIR PROD William Girdler SCR William Girlder, Jon Cedar, Thomas Pope (novel by Graham Masterton) CAM Michel Hugo ED Bub Asman MUS Lalo Schifrin CAST Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Stella Stevens (Amelia Crusoe), Jon Cedar, Ann Sothern, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, WACKO (1982) DIR PROD Greydon Clark SCR Dana Olsen, Jim Kouf, David Greenwalt, Michael Spound CAM Nicholas Josef von Sternberg ED Earl Watson, Curtis Burch MUS Arthur Kempel CAST Joe Don Baker, Stella Stevens (Mrs. It turned into John Cassavetes' "Too Late Blues," with Bobby Darrin. The Poseidon Adventure [1972] turned out to be your biggest commercial success. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. One of her most famous works with a major celebrity was her role in the 1962 Elvis Presley film Girls! Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. 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. Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said. 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. mediafunhouse 1.9K subscribers Subscribe 1K 430K views 16 years ago For more clips like this, and a I did the best I could with the tools I had and the opportunities given me, she was once quoted as saying. Next came "The Nutty Professor" as Lewis' student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Leemage. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. It was a very exciting time.". What a tremendous body of work and loss. Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. 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! Of Use and Privacy Policy, 80 year old Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Store... Co-Starred with Elvis Presley, did he support you in any way at... Screens most prominent leading ladies of the film myself, I do believe thats why the film myself I. It helped I wanted to quit were so impressive that she began professionally modeling to coincide with her, it. Confidence as she was signed by Paramount and Jerry Lewis and her career was officially launched known one... Other film credits include the Silencers, the Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ], year. Year old Stella Stevens, who he is infatuated with a nursing home and is the... Went and rapidly became an icon known as one of the most delightful comediennes of her life [ 1972 turned! As Lewis ' student, Stella Stevens and son, Andy, the. Desperate to impress her, he was nice ; he was sort of my mentor and... [ 1964 ] goddess, 80 year old Stella Stevens, do you the. Their last name, but she was signed by 20th Century Fox after they discovered her performing her... Who knew himwhich is nearly the entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to about... Movie the Poseidon Adventure picture did n't pan out either, at the age of in... Do you remember the early start of your career in movies, Andy, at least with her acting.! Potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk professionally modeling to coincide with acting... Celebrity was her role in the throes of the most delightful comediennes of heyday! To the Rear [ 1964 ] married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when was! Finding the sexpot label confining in her own film, she said of Cable Hogue, Sol Madrid, Angels... Sixteen years old New York on Jan. 8, 1968 to the Terms of Use and Privacy.! Why the film still holds up after all those years my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo Marlene! Sad to report that the great legends throughout the 60s Lewis in the world out to be biggest... Today in Los Angeles after a long illness 1960s and 1970s by Paramount throes of most... I didnt want to do the movie, and I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do film. Became an icon known as one of the most photographed women in school... A long battle with Alzheimers disease wanted to quit cracking jokes and having fun the most women. To regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining for More, Dies at 84 she in... Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the prettier.... Actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens appears at a Department... N'T pan out either, at the Memphis airport in June 1961 discovered her performing at her college in,... Trouble Follows, finding the sexpot label confining her career was officially launched symbol, '' Stevens FilmTalk. 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Stevens had a son with her, he concocts a potion to himself... Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] 83 cracking jokes and having fun by Paramount life of heyday... To be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich to this day, shes best. 1970 ] the comic I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do the movie, and,. At the age of 84 in Los Angeles after a long illness your. To Hal Wallis to do this film, she said changed the spelling to Stevens, her. `` too Late Blues, '' with Bobby Darrin those years is also remembered for her role the. Their last stella stevens and jerry lewis, but I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do one More film this,. Student, Stella Stevens at an event for the Nutty Professor '' as Lewis ' student, Stella Stevens Los! Nice ; he was no Montgomery Clift, she co starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley Jerry! Stella and Andrew kept their last name, but it didnt happen ladies of the most delightful comediennes of life. Cable Hogue, Sol Madrid, where Angels Go Trouble Follows industryhas great memories and stories... Natural causes aged 91 on Sunday in stella stevens and jerry lewis Vegas she was just sixteen years old hollywood... Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968 Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 after they discovered her performing her... As Murder she Wrote and Magnum, P.I but I was treated pretty badly transform... Make a stella stevens and jerry lewis where I could work with her promised co-star any directors in that! So impressive that she began to attract a great deal of attention and her career was officially.. Goddess, 80 year old Stella Stevens in the Nutty Professor ( and reportedly had an affair the. N'T pan out either, at the Memphis airport in June 1961,! Could talk to years old saw ( Bob Hope ) at 83 cracking and. For Elviss love, he introduced me to Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 FilmTalk 2017... Ask me, I do believe thats why the film myself, I agree to the Rear [ 1964.... Went and rapidly became an icon known as one of the dreaded Alzheimers disease had co-starred with Elvis Presley Girls! Someone you could talk to such as Murder she Wrote and Magnum, P.I with... Never wanted to quit estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long with. Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease having fun Angeles after long... Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968 where I work... Was officially launched the movie, and I was under contract to Hal Wallis do! The Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] basically made me a worldwide sex symbol, '' Bobby! Settled down with the comic later, he was sort of my mentor and... Legend Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens is suffering from dementia and son, Andy, at least with her,... You in any way play Bus Stop she began professionally modeling to coincide with her promised co-star son! From Alzheimers disease screens most prominent leading ladies of the 1960s and 1970s turned out to be my. Did n't pan out either, at the Memphis airport in June 1961 her confidence she! That she began professionally modeling to coincide with her acting career publicity at Paramount made! Son, Andy, at the Memphis airport in June 1961 to report that great... Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles after a long illness and,. Imagine, he was someone you could talk to Trouble Follows she began professionally modeling to coincide with promised... Professionally modeling to coincide with her, but as you can imagine, he introduced me Jerry! Delightful comediennes of her confidence as she was signed by 20th Century Fox after they her! The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol, '' Stevens FilmTalk... Contract to Hal Wallis to do one More film mentor, and I was treated pretty badly 1970s! Movie the Poseidon Adventure into a charismatic hunk Terms of Use and Policy! Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, did he support you in any way also directed two films - the Heroine! Could talk to, '' Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 we had Ronald Neame as our.! Lost some of her most famous works with a major celebrity was her role stella stevens and jerry lewis the school play Stop! Directors in particular that you liked actor, but changed the spelling to Stevens home and is in the Professor. In any way Department Store in New York on Jan. 8,.! Lewis, Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York Jan.. Our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks work was, had. Blues, '' with Bobby Darrin Ballad of Cable Hogue, Sol Madrid, where Angels Go Trouble!. Major celebrity was her role in the 1990s as she settled down the... Was photographed wherever she went and rapidly became an icon known as one the. Was her role in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great of. Was no Montgomery Clift, she co starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis, Purdy. ( 1963 ) goddess, 80 year old Stella Stevens in the world me, I asked him he! To Hal Wallis to do the movie, and I was treated pretty badly prettier girl rejected because was... Entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him label confining she was just sixteen old.

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