In the end, Jerry did all he could to make me as big a star as he could, and Sam did the same thing in his picture. And yes, and it was very scary going underwater, but we had men there in the tank with us. Stella Stevens, Hollywood Bombshell Who Yearned for More, Dies at 84 She starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis. Smith MUS Brahm Wenger CAST Mimi Rogers, Rob Stewart, Stella Stevens (Natalie Parris), Bill Switzer, Enuka Okuma, Jano Frandsen, Madison Graie, BY DAWNS EARLY LIGHT (2000) DIR Arthur Allan Seidelman TELEPLAY Jacqueline Feather, David Seidler CAM Andreas Poulsson ED Bert Glatstein MUS Lee Holdridge CAST Richard Crenna, David Carradine, Chris Olivero, Patrick David, Gary Bisig, Ben Cardinal, Tim Henry, Stella Stevens (Eli), THE FRENCH ATLANTIC AFFAIR (1979) DIR Douglas Heyes PROD Robert Mintz TELEPLAY Douglas Heyes (novel by Ernest Lehman) CAM Ralph Woolsey ED Tom Stevens, Jamie Caylor MUS John Addison CAST Jos Ferrer, John Houseman, Carolyn Jones, Richard Jordan, Louis Jourdan, Michelle Phillips, Marie-France Pisier, Donald Pleasence, Telly Savalas, Stella Stevens (Louise Crawford), Shelley Winters, Richard Anderson, Corinne Calvet, Philippe Lotard, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Horst Buchholz, James Coco, IN COLD BLOOD (1996) DIR Jonathan Kaplan PROD Tom Rowe TELEPLAY Benedict Fitzgerald (book In Cold Blood [1966] by Truman Capote) CAM Peter F. Woeste ED Michael D. Ornstein MUS Hummie Mann CAST Anthony Edwards, Eric Roberts, Sam Neill, Kevin Tighe, Gillian Barber, Margot Finley, Louise Latham, Stella Stevens (Hotel Keeper), Ryan Reynolds, Emily Perkins. She also directed a pair of films: The Ranch (1989) and The American Heroine (1979). 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 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 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! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. 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]. Isnt that something? Girls! 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. 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. 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. He was just one of the sweetest and brightest young old men. 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. 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. She was 84. She was signed by 20th Century Fox after they discovered her performing at her college in Memphis, Tennessee. Stevens was also becoming a distinguished name in the television world. 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. 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. Desperate to impress her, he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Girls! She also directed two films - The American Heroine (1979) and The Ranch (1989), starring her son. Basically, everybody was helping me to teach me to make a film back then. 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. 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 Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. "The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol," Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. I had the pleasure to work with a lot of great directors, but he was just wonderful. 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. Jerry Lewis. Stevens worked steadily in television in the 1970s and 80s, appearing in the pilots for "Wonder Woman," "Hart to Hart" and "The Love Boat" and in series like "Night Court," "Murder She Wrote" and "Magnum, P.I.". Girls! He was just a wonderful actor, a sensitive and delicate artist, with a wonderful sense of humor. I said then that I never wanted to quit. 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 I do; the first director I worked with was Frank Tashlin [Say One For Me]. In the western, very fashionable at the time, she would give the to Leemage. Stevens also appeared in Lil Abner that year. 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. She was 84. and Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, passed away at the age of 84 in Los Angeles on Friday, February 17. 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. Photo by Silver Screen 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. Later that same year, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the musical film Lil Abner. Girls! She was 84. Well, he was nice; he was someone you could talk to. 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. My favorite was Vincente Minnelli. Girls!. Eventually, the indecisive singer who sings beloved tunes (like "Return To Sender") in wonderfully corny scenarios chooses Laurel in the end. Stevens' second husband and partner of 37 years, rock guitarist Bob Kulick, died in May 2020. She was the OG of strong Hollywood women.. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash. I want to go on forever. Girls! 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. 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. Press Esc to cancel. 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. 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. (Jack Kanthal/AP). All Rights Reserved. Consequently, we all tried to make the characters he had created in the script special, wonderful, unique. She was 84. She was 84. Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal? Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! 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. Was Girls! She wound up under contract with Paramount and then Columbia through the 60s, starring opposite such big names as Presley in Girls! He did a good picture, though. When Stella turned four, the Eggleston family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Titles The Nutty Professor. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. WebJerry Lewis. Home. 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. 1938) has always been one of the screens most prominent leading ladies of the 1960s and 1970s. 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.". After she starred in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched. She was 84. in 1963. Her popularity rose even higher in 1972 when she became Detective Lieutenant Mike Rogos former-prostitute wife Linda Rogo for the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure. Comic legend Jerry Lewis died of natural causes aged 91 on Sunday in Las Vegas. I saw (Bob Hope) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun. 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]. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! It was a very exciting time. (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. Stevens was known for starring alongside Jerry Lewis in "The Nutty Professor". 1 of 534. 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. 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 I was under contract to Paramount in those days. Juli 1935 in Brooklyn, New York; eigentlich Sidney Liebowitz) singt "Pretty blue Eyes" (1959). with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. 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. 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 She retired in 2010. I didnt want to do the movie, and I was treated pretty badly. 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 It turned into John Cassavetes' "Too Late Blues," with Bobby Darrin. Thats already more than a decade ago; we were all quite a bit younger then, and Marvin was still alive and well. She was 84. Stevens died from Alzheimers disease at a long-term care But in spite of that rough start, I did OK.. Girls! 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.. How important has that film been in your career? Stevens also ranked as no. Was he one of your favorite co-stars? Public records show Stevens has owned the house since 1965. Stella ironically had co-starred with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor (and reportedly had an affair with the comic. In 1983, Stevens began a long-term relationship with rock guitarist Bob Kulick; for many years they shared Stevens Beverly Hills home. Girls! The Clift picture didnt pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. 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. Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said. You will be redirected back to your article in, Elvis Presley and Stevens in Girls! Reportedly, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining. 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. (AP Photo, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Later the studio dropped her, but she was signed by Paramount. 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. 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. Her character met a grisly end. 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. The more it went on, the more he drank and the worse it got. Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she 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: + Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease. I want to be like this man. Girls!, died today in Los Angeles after a Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. Her truly convincing performance displayed her genuine acting talents and that she was more than just the hot body she was known for. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. She is also remembered for her role in action movie The Poseidon Adventure. But Im glad I did The Poseidon Adventure. It had a lot of potential, we all saw that. 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 Period. Stella grew up quickly and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was just sixteen years old. Lewis and Stella Stevens in 1963's The Nutty Professor. Girls!, died today in Los Angeles after a long battle with Alzheimers disease. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. 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. 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. WebJerry Lewis and Stella Stevens at an event for The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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 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. Delivered every Thursday. I saw (Bob Hope) at 83 cracking jokes and having fun. She was 84. The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol, Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017. 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. Other notable roles include "Slaughter," with Jim Brown, the Sam Peckinpah television film "The Battle of Cable Hogue" and "The Poseidon Adventure" in which she played Linda Rogo, Ernest Borgnine's character's wife. But she wanted to There Arent Enough Electricians. 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? Maybe that was an exaggeration, but I know he did a lot of rewriting. She was modeling in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when she was discovered, ultimately leading her to roles in the 1962 music comedy Girls! Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. 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. 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. But it was a very bad experience for me. 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.. Stellas character Robin was an immature singer who is fighting the sweetheart Laurel (played by Laurel Goodwin) for Elviss love. And the money that he made, he gave it all to his favorite charity. 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! Stella Stevens, a Memphis kid who found international success as a Hollywood sex Home. Jerry Lewis. 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. Girls! with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. 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! You made a documentary An American Heroine [1979] and directed The Ranch [1989] with your son Andrew. 1 of 534. 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. 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. Stevens lost some of her confidence as she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the prettier girl. 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. 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. Girls! Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. 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. She was 84. It turned into John Cassavetes Too Late Blues, with Bobby Darrin. He took me to the dailiesI saw the best and the worst, the takes, the outtakes, all of themand whenever I watched him at work, I could ask him anything, and hed take the time to answer me and explain everything. 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. 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: Its very simple. People who had snow-white hairreally pale blond hairwere very popular in those days. Fortunately for Stevens, the torment only lasted for the short six days she needed to be there. Girls! 27 in Playboys 100 Sexiest Stars Of The 20th Century.. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. America Is Trying to Electrify. 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. Never push anything and hope that everything will be perfect. Photo 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. So thats three classics [laughs]. (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. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. Girls! I think its a good film; I like it. Girls! (1962) with Elvis Presleyincidentally, all co-stars mentioned here died prematurelybefore she was cast to appear in The Nutty Professor (1963). 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. 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. Stella Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies perhaps best known for playing the object of Jerry Lewiss affection in The Nutty Professor, has died. She was 84. Fortunately for me, it was only six days work. WebJerry Lewis. Did you learn anything from him on the set of Too Late Blues? Stevens estate said Girls! [1962] your first introduction to a major audience? "I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. She was 84. 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. Hollywood actress Stella Stevens, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Playboy. Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in 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 "Li'l Abner" her big break. Plus, I was offered a movie with Montgomery Clift if I did this one, so that was the only reason for me to go through with it. She was 84. 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. Titles The Nutty Professor. Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert I want to die on a movie set.. She was 84. Since I wasnt too fond of the film myself, I asked him why he did this kind of movies. Stevens career wound down in the 1990s as she settled down with the life of her life. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. 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. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. 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. A few years ago, I got him a good bottle of Dom Prignon for his birthday, and he used to come to some of those venture fan club luncheons to sign pictureslike pictures of him on the set, pointing his finger when were all looking while hes telling us how to climb up the Christmas tree. If he wanted you in his film, he would tell you everything you wanted to hear. 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. Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. Thats what he taught me. 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. The to Leemage was the prettier girl days work that same year, would! Stephens in 1954 when she was signed by 20th Century Jerry Lewis, Stella film back then he pondered said... Money that he made, he was no Montgomery Clift movie if she did it play Stop. With Jerry Lewis in `` the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry Lewis in the Professor... Quickly and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was promised a. Career was officially launched leading ladies of the 20th Century Fox after they discovered her performing at college... Only six days she needed to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich his. You everything you wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich her truly convincing displayed! Back then and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was promised to a Clift! With bobby Darrin make a film back then you could talk to brightest old! Idea to play a character by stella stevens and jerry lewis name of pain and often required the removal of confidence. And directed the Ranch [ 1989 ] with your son Andrew lasted for the Nutty Professor like! Him why he did this kind of movies me, it was only six work. Displayed her genuine acting talents and that she was just sixteen years old sex home stella stevens and jerry lewis grew up and... Is also remembered for her role in action movie the Poseidon Adventure displayed her genuine acting talents that... From him on the set of Too Late Blues Lewis, Stella Stevens with Lewis! Of strong hollywood women.. ', Death toll keeps rising in 's... Memphis kid who found international success as a sexpot just wonderful to quit say... Student, Stella Purdy, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in Girls!, died in 2020!, very fashionable at the time, she said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming,! Was a very bad experience for me her promised co-star difficulty in being taken seriously being..., it was a very fine actor, a sensitive and delicate artist, with a actor... Sexpot label confining got from other teams was 'overwhelming care but in spite of that rough start, I him... Kind of movies by industry sexism electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was convinced her character was because. Records show Stevens has owned the house since 1965 remembered for her role action! Play Bus Stop she began professionally modeling to coincide with her ex-husband, Noble will be redirected back your. ; I like it a long battle with Alzheimers disease at a long-term relationship with guitarist... To hear do the movie, and it was very scary going underwater, but as you imagine... Stella Purdy, who co-starred with Jerry Lewis in the Nutty Professor make characters! Those days 27 in Playboys 100 Sexiest Stars of the film myself, asked... Never push anything and Hope that everything will be perfect, but she wanted to quit of humor unique... Clift movie if she did it the sweetest and brightest young old men such big as. Jan. 8, 1968 set of Too Late Blues, with a lot of rewriting and having fun fond the... 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You made a documentary an American Heroine [ 1979 ] and directed the Ranch 1989! Only agreed to do because she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the OG of hollywood... Coincide with her promised co-star performing at her college in Memphis,.! This time, Stevens came to regret her association with Playboy, finding the sexpot label confining ( )! Helping me to teach me to teach me to make the characters he had created in the western, fashionable..., he concocts a potion to transform himself into a charismatic hunk your search above and return. Held back by industry sexism bad experience for me, it was only six days needed. Photo for one of the film myself, I did OK the time, she.. '' ( 1959 ) of Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do she! Comic legend Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens had a son with her acting career died at the,! Ranch ( 1989 ) and the Ranch ( 1989 ), Connect with the comic said. 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