"I was a divorced mom with a toddler by the time I was 17," the actress reportedly added. In Chained Heat (1983), she played a prison warden; in The Granny (1995), she played a wronged grandmother who comes back to life to get revenge on her scheming family. Her father was an insurance salesman and her mother was a nurse. She is also remembered for her role in action movie The . [1], Stevens worked also as film producer, director, and writer. "What a tremendous body of work and loss. Well see you soon with more facts-packed videos covering some of your favorite Hollywood stars, films, and television shows. They divorced in 1972. She is finally reunited with Bob today. "And Playboy did as much harm as it helped. (1986), and Father Dowling Mysteries (1987). Explore More About her Family with Quick Facts! Join Facts Verse as we answer those questions and see what Stella Stevens has been up to in recent years or is stella stevens still alive. After the shoot, she said, Hugh Hefner, the magazines publisher, would pay her only half and told her that she had to work as a hostess at the Playboy Mansion to earn the rest. Dylan Goldstein Facts Verse Stella Stevens, a Golden Globe -winning actress and '60s Hollywood bombshell, has died at the age of 84. Built in 1962, the single-story house retains its original swinging . Girls! If thats not a one-two punch, then we dont know what is! And that same year, she declared Playboy magazines Playmate of the Month for the month of January. [11] After winning the role of Appassionata Von Climax in the musical Li'l Abner (1959), she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures (1959-1963). Its a sizzling comedy performance of a kook.'. Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. (She later changed her surname to Stevens because, she said, it was easier for people to pronounce.). Their son Andrew was born in 1955. She couldve been seen featured in numerous documentaries, including the video Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical, the movie Western Legenden Made in Hollywood, and the video Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History 1960s, all of which were released in 2009. Two exceptions came in the early 1970s: She acted opposite Jason Robards in The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970), a comic western directed by Sam Peckinpah, and as part of an all-star cast assembled for The Poseidon Adventure (1972), joining Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Gene Hackman and others in an overturned ocean liner. From 1989 to 1990, she had a role on Santa Barbara as Phyllis Blake. In his review in The New York Times, Roger Greenspun wrote, "But it is Stella Stevens, at last in a role good enough for her, who most wonderfully sustains and enlightens the action. Stella was a natural when it came it modeling, and she had the looks to boot. Both publications reported that Stevens died in Los Angeles on Friday, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by I directed two films in the '70s and '80s (1979's The American Heroine and 1989's The Ranch). Actor Stella Stevens was one of the last Old Hollywood stars. Stella was a follower of the Christianity religion. My best to you Stella. Biograph Where is Judy Cornwell now? When Stella Stevens was four, her family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. Her undeniable sex appeal received more attention than her actual filmmaking, leaving her feeling once again frustrated. Stella Stevens with Jerry Lewis in a publicity photo for one of her best-known films, The Nutty Professor (1963). From the Los Angeles Times- Stella Stevens andBob Kulickhave sold their longtime home in Beverly Crest for $1.25 million. Tap the bell while youre at it to receive notifications whenever we drop new content. Im still waiting to be discovered. And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. Girls! When asked if she thought the classic disaster film was 'hokey,' Stevens replied: 'Hokey! Many of her roles from these years required her to strip her clothes and show off her body, and while she was okay with this. Stella won a 1960 Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer Female, for her performance in Say One for Me. From a money pit 100 feet deep to Shakespearean manuscripts, the legendary finds on Oak Island have kept it in the news for centuries. Stella was raised in Yazoo City as an only child, by her mother Dovey Estelle (nee Caro) and father Thomas Ellett Eggleston; she was four when the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where her mother worked as a nurse at a local hospital, and her father as an insurance salesman. In between, though, she had to take a series of mediocre roles in mediocre movies, and critics came to view her as a star who was perpetually kept from realizing her full potential. Stevens' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. She was the only child of Dovey Estelle and her husband, Thomas Ellet Eggleston. On Twitter, he wrote, "She is finally reunited with Bob today. That same year, she declared Playboy Magazines Playmate of the Month for the month of January. And while its sad to hear about her struggles with Alzheimers and dementia in her twilight years. [19], Stevens died of complications from Alzheimer's disease in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, at the age of 84. She had him with her ex-husband Noble Herman Stephens. Multiple outlets, including Variety and Deadline, first reported Stevens' death on. Although it dropped just six months later. Born Estelle Eggleston in 1938, the Mississippi native eventually moved to Memphis Tennessee, where she met and married her first husband, an electrician named Noble Herman Stephens, at the ago of 16. The couple divorced in 1957. In 1963, she appeared in two successful comedies. She also owns a bakery and art gallery in Twisp, Washington. She also appeared in the critically acclaimed miniseries In Cold Blood (1996). Girls!," "The Nutty Professor" and later "The Poseidon Adventure," has died at the age of 84. She dated Skip Ward in 1967. A couple of Stellas most notable performances in the 70s were in the 72 action crime drama Slaughter, the 75 action Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold, and the 78 science fiction horror The Manitou. In 1979, she appeared along with her son Andrew Stevens in The Oregon Trail (1977) episode "Hannah's Girl". [14] During a 1988 interview she commented on her role as a madam in Flamingo Road, saying that, "The truth of the matter is that I've always been type cast, but I don't mind because hookers are among the few roles that require glamorous wardrobes, feathers and jewelry."[15]. She also came in at No. In the early 1970s, she began working regularly on television series, miniseries, and movies. Stevens confirms Yazoo City in, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 17:12, How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life, "Stella Stevens: From the Yazoo hills to Beverly Hills", "The Ballad of Stella Stevens: An Interview", "The Deep Southern Roots of Stella Stevens", "Meet Stella Stevens Before She Became 'Stella Stevens', "Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84", "Stella Stevens, The Nutty Professor Actress Who Starred With Elvis Presley, Dies at 84", "Stella Stevens, who brought glamour and comic touch to films, dies at 84", "Stella Stevens, 'Nutty Professor' and 'Poseidon Adventure' Actress, Dead at 84 | Entertainment Tonight", "Stella Stevens, Who Starred in 'The Nutty Professor,' 'The Poseidon Adventure,' Dies at 84", "Film Beauty Stella Stevens is Sadly Fighting Alzheimer's/ Dementia", "Stella Stevens Dies; 'Poseidon Adventure' Actress & Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis Co-Star Was 84", "Stella Stevens, Hollywood Bombshell Who Yearned for More, Dies at 84", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stella_Stevens&oldid=1141758324, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 17:12. Bio, Net Worth, Husband, Son. 27 on the magazine's list of the 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century, per Variety. Shes a retired actress, film producer and director, with more than 140 acting credits to her name, while shes probably still known best for her portrayal of Linda Rogo in the 1972 action adventure movie The Poseidon Adventure. I miss the laughs and her great smile. Robert Evans was an American film producer. [2], Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens from 1954 until their divorce in 1957. The blonde beauty made her film debut in 1959 and went on to star alongside some of Hollywood's classic leading men, like Elvis Presley and Dean Martin. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes, her height is 5ft 5ins (1.65m) and she weighs around 130lbs (60kgs). And when it came time for Playboy to list their 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century, she appeared at number 27. Stellaused to own a ranch which is located in Methow Valley near Carlton, Washington on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains. While studying at Memphis State College, she was noticed in the school's production of Bus Stop, and the glowing reviews took her to Hollywood. She was known for her voluptuous curves, stunning blue eyes, and platinum blonde hair. ", "So why has it taken me so long? She asked Mr. Hefner to cancel the magazine feature, but he refused, and she appeared as Playmate of the Month in the January 1960 issue, a few months before winning her Golden Globe. Stevens - known for starring in The Poseidon Adventure and The Nutty Professor - had been battling. Bob Kulick, Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert Evans, Hugh O'Brian, Buddy Bregman, Warren Beatty and Jerry Lewis. Built in 1962, the single-story house retains its original swinging '60s vibe and was being marketed as a fixer in "as-in" condition. But the shows [] More, You might remember her as Mindy in the off-beat yet endearing 70s and 80s sitcom Mork and Mindy. Stevens appears in 34 episodes of the primetime soap opera Flamingo Road (198182), as Lute-Mae Sanders, the former madam of a brothel. But female directors were almost unheard-of at the time, and her attempts to get support for what she called a marvelous black comedy she wanted to make met repeated dead ends. Stella Stevens who had a memorable role, has been put in a facility as she is in the throes of Alzheimers Disease. Stella Stevens (born Estelle Caro Eggleston; October 1, 1938 - February 17, 2023) was an American actress and model. [3], When Stella Stevens was four, her parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee; they lived on Carrington Road, near Highland Street, in the city. She starred in many movies I love. She portrayed Natalie Parris, one of the main characters in the 1997 romantic fantasy comedy movie The Christmas List, directed by Charles Jarrott, and which also starred Mimi Rogers and Rob Stewart. [10] Stevens' contract with 20th Century-Fox was dropped after six months. You can order the book visiting our publishers website- http://shadowlawnpress.com or on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Itunes etc. She was 84. "[15], In the 1960s, Stevens was a member of a five-voice vocal ensemble called The Skip-Jacks. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Just six months later, they welcomed a bouncing baby boy into the world whom they named Herman Andrews Stephens. She had previously appeared on television throughout the 1960s on shows such as General Electric Theater, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Bonanza. Girls! But that was before she had established herself as a star player. Stella Stevens, the beloved 1960s star who dazzled on screen in The Nutty Professor and Too Late Blues, died Friday, EW can confirm. Stella Stevens's legacy is still living on. Public records show Stevens has owned the house since 1965. Stella became interested in acting while attending St. Annes Catholic School, appearing in various plays performed there; she eventually moved to Sacred Heart School, and later to Memphis Tech High School, from which she matriculated in 1955. Stella went on to say that comedy had been key to keeping her 'complete person' alive, as it helped to bridge the conflict between her image as a 'sex symbol' and her true authentic self. While on set, Stella often felt relatively bored since pretty much all she was expected to do was stand around and look pretty. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, by [11] Following appearances in Synanon (1965) and The Secret of My Success (1965), Stevens starred as a sexy but clumsy government agent opposite Dean Martin in the Matt Helm spy spoof The Silencers (1966). posthumously star in the upcoming animated film Quackers, alongside popular actresses Liza Koshy and Ali Wong. Girls! She had all the components of what the western world found beautiful in a woman back in those days. It was only after enrolling at Memphis State College that she became interested in acting, as well as modelling; upon launching her acting career, Stella dropped out of college. Despite her anger at Mr. Hefner, she posed nude for the magazine two more times. In 1959, Robert Evans and Stella were in a relationship. Her father worked as an insurance salesman, and her mother worked as a nurse. And there were a lot of beautiful, talented women. Bob was an American guitarist by profession. Source: Vimbuzz.com Related Posts Got her start in the movie industry starring in films such as 1962s Girls! Stella Stevens whose turn as an A-list actress in 1960s Hollywood placed her alongside sex symbols like Brigitte Bardot Ann-Margret and Raquel Welch but who came to resent the male. [18], In 1983, Stevens began a long-term relationship with rock guitarist Bob Kulick. May 60. While she never entirely gave up acting, she definitely never achieved the same kind of prestige that she had experienced in her younger years. Wife, Net Worth, Children. Custom hand-painted murals and stained-glass windows adorn the interiors. The Daily Mail reported that back in 2016, Stella moved into a nursing home. The Memphis Press-Scimitar review of that performance in Memphis sparked her career. Girls, 1963s The Courtship of Eddies Father and 1966s The Silencers. After her role on that classic sitcom ended, Jan became more interested in being a mother than being an actress. 19:38 EST 17 Feb 2023. Biography; Net Worth; Article; Sports; Search for: Bio Gossip; Biography; Is Stella Stevens still Alive? [2], Born Estelle Caro Eggleston on October 1, 1938,[3][4] in Yazoo City, Mississippi,[5] she was the only child of Thomas Ellett Eggleston, an insurance salesman, and his wife, Estelle (ne Caro) Eggleston, a nurse who was sometimes called by the nickname "Dovey". Every man Ive gone to for four years has smiled at me and then doublecrossed me, she told The New York Times in 1973. Stevens modeled for Playboy multiple times and was featured as the magazine's Playmate of the Month in January 1960 before appearing in two more issues later that decade. Stevens, a prominent leading lady in 1960s and 70s comedies, died after a long illness File photo of Stella Stevens at a department store in New York, 1968 Image Credit: AP Stella Stevens, a . When she did return to film, it was often for soft-core erotic thrillers and campy horror movies. Maria Calabrese, Stevens' manager and . I did send an email and she did reply with a photo and an autograph. Ms. Stevens in 1968. Girls! Variety praised her performance, writing: 'Stella Stevens comes on like gangbusters in her enactment of a brainy but inhibited doll from Montana. The OG of bad ass woman who got stuff done.. Stella made her debut TV series appearance in the 1960 episode Craigs Will of the hit crime comedy drama Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and the 60s then saw her appear in an episode or two of various series, such as the western drama Johnny Ringo, the action crime adventure Hawaiian Eye, and the western Bonanza. and Here is what we know. And why did she go from being a ubiquitous star that graced the covers of practically every tabloid. Custom hand-painted murals and stained-glass windows adorn the interiors. [16], Stevens appeared in several stage productions, including a touring production of an all-female version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple opposite Sandy Dennis. By then her sex-symbol days were fading, and Ms. Stevens hoped to have the time and reputation to become a director. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. Girls!, The Nutty Professor (1963), The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963), The Silencers (1966), Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968), The Ballad of Cable Hogue ( But just as she had already experienced. Stella Stevens was born on October 1, 1938, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, in the United States of America. What was the cause of her death? The actress has been quoted as once saying, "It's been my heart's desire to direct since I started doing movies. She also wrote a novel, Razzle Dazzle (1989), which featured a thinly fictionalized version of herself. 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. Stella kept her focus on acting and followed up the 1962 Elvis film Girls! Stella gave birth to their son Andrew Stephens in 1955, and divorced Noble two years later. Update Celebrity Biography, Entertainment Gossip & More. Facts Verse Her son, actor-director . Custom hand-painted murals and stained-glass windows adorn the interiors. Stella Stevens was born Estelle Eggleston On October 1, 1938, in the small town of Yazoo City, Mississippi. No, Stella is not alive. Stevenss zodiac sign was Libra and she celebrates his birthday every year on the 1st of October. RIP Stella 1938-2023." ", Legendary actress Stella Stevens, my brother's longtime partner, passed away this morning from a long illness. A brainy but inhibited doll from Montana, the Nutty Professor - had battling... Was 17, '' the actress has been put in a facility as she is the... Divorced Noble two years later comes on like gangbusters in her enactment a! I did send an email and she celebrates his birthday every year on the magazine two times! 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From the Los Angeles on Friday, following a long illness Jerry Lewis in a relationship vocal... ; manager and Girl '' declared Playboy magazines Playmate of the 20th Century, she appeared along with ex-husband! Alzheimer 's disease an American actress and model thrillers and campy horror movies a ubiquitous that! Remembered for her performance, writing: 'Stella Stevens comes on like gangbusters in her twilight years her of...