WebJerry Lewis. Stevens was also becoming a distinguished name in the television world. When I first read the script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne. Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. He could touch youa little smile on his face or a wink of an eye. Titles The Nutty Professor. in 1960. 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. She was 84. I also like Ride the High Country [1962] and The Wild Bunch [1969] a lot. She also directed a pair of films: The Ranch (1989) and The American Heroine (1979). He was just a wonderful actor, a sensitive and delicate artist, with a wonderful sense of humor. You will be redirected back to your article in, Elvis Presley and Stevens in Girls! Plan your weekend with our picks for the best events, restaurant and movie reviews, TV shows and more. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. 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 There Arent Enough Electricians. 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. (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. 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 Was he one of your favorite co-stars? 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. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. WebSteve Lawrence (* 8. 1 of 534. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! The more it went on, the more he drank and the worse it got. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family 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. It was a very exciting time.. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. She was 84. The funnyman had a total of seven children and a rumored love child. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Girls! BACK. I want to go on forever. Girls!, died today in Los Angeles after a Elvis was not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with in a film. 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! 1 of 534. The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol. I want to die on a movie set. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jerry Lewis as The Hutty Professor movie ad 1963 Stella Stevens LK at the best online prices at eBay! Stella Stevens, 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 Lewis. 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.. Girls! Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said. 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. Girls! So through the movie, everything that went on, Jerry let me watch him at work and observe as much as I wanted. Girls! Stella Stevens, who starred alongside Elvis Presley in Girls! Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift. In 2017, shed say that her favorite director that she worked with was Vincente Minnelli on The Courtship of Eddies Father, from 1963. And the money that he made, he gave it all to his favorite charity. He just taught me how to direct a movie, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting. He ended up saying that The Ballad of Cable Hogue was his favorite picture. 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.". So thats three classics [laughs]. 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]. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. She was predeceased by her longtime partner, rock musician Bob Kulick. After she'd seduced audiences everywhere with her stunning physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of Hollywood. Jerry Lewis. Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert I want to be like this man. Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. She was 84. GIRLS! Free shipping for many products! "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. Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. 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.". Press Esc to cancel. Stella Stevens, the actress best known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and The Poseidon Adventure and starring opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. And he never overacted; he always was a bit underplaying. The Clift picture didnt pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Stevens worked steadily in television, also appearing in Hart to Hart, The Love Boat and Wonder Woman, where she played a Nazi judo champ who thought she could take on Lynda Carter's titular heroine. Lewis retained the rights to his hit film, which was later remade by Eddie Murphy for the big screen and adapted for the stage. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Girls! (1962) with Elvis Presleyincidentally, all co-stars mentioned here died prematurelybefore she was cast to appear in The Nutty Professor (1963). Girls! Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. She was 84. (Jack Kanthal/AP). It was the first thing he had ever done for television in color. 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. SAY ONE FOR ME (1959) DIR PROD Frank Tashlin SCR Robert OBrien CAM Leo Tover ED Hugh S. Fowler CAST Bing Crosby, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Ray Walston, Les Tremayne, Connie Gilchrist, Frank McHugh, Stella Stevens (Chorine), Sebastian Cabot, THE BLUE ANGEL (1959) DIR Edward Dmytryk PROD Jack Cummings SCR Nigel Balchin (screenplay DER BLAUE ENGEL [1930] by Robert Liebman, Carl Zuckmayer, Karl Vollmller; novel by Heinrich Mann) CAM Leon Shamroy ED Jack W. Holmes MUS Hugo Friedhofer CAST Curt Jurgens, May Britt, Theodore Bikel, John Banner, Fabrizio Mioni, Ludwig Stssel, Stella Stevens (Chorus Girl, uncredited), LIL ABNER (1959) DIR Melvin Frank PROD Norman Panama SCR Melvin Frank, Norman Panama (comic strip by Al Capp) CAM Daniel L. Flapp ED Arthur P. Schmidt MUS Nelson Riddle, Joseph J. Lilley CAST Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrish, Stubby Kaye, Howard St. John, Julie Newmar, Stella Stevens (Appassionata Von Climax), Billie Hayes, Robert Strauss, MAN-TRAP (1961) DIR Edmond OBrien PROD Edmond OBrien, Stanley Frazen SCR Ed Waters (novel by John D. MacDonald) CAM Loyal Griggs ED Jack Lippiatt MUS Leith Stevens CAST Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Stella Stevens (Nina Jameson), Elaine Devry, Virginia Gregg, Dorothy Green, Frank Albertson, Henry Darrow, TOO LATE BLUES (1961) DIR PROD John Cassavetes SCR John Cassavetes, Richard Carr CAM Lionel Lindon ED Frank Bracht MUS David Raskin CAST Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens (Jess Polanski), Everett Chambers, Nick Dennis, Vince Edwards, Val Avery, Marilyn Clark, Seymour Cassel, John Cassavetes, Don Siegel, June Wilkinson, GIRLS! 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. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Girls! While most admired Stevens for her bombshell appearance, the actress/model possessed more capabilities than just looking pretty. Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. Melvin Franks Lil Abner (1959) paved the way for her next films such as John Cassavetes Too Late Blues co-starring Bobby Darin, Man-Trap (both 1961) with Jeffrey Hunter and David Janssen, and then came Girls! She was signed by 20th Century Fox after they discovered her performing at her college in Memphis, Tennessee. She was 84. Stevens lost some of her confidence as she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the prettier girl. Stevens estate said Stella Stevens, Hollywood Bombshell Who Yearned for More, Dies at 84 She starred alongside the likes of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis. She was 84. I had the pleasure to work with a lot of great directors, but he was just wonderful. 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. After she starred in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal of attention and her career was officially launched. Stevens' estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. She was 84. My favorite was Vincente Minnelli. Girls! Isnt that something? He was probably a different kind of director than you were used to? 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. 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. Her truly convincing performance displayed her genuine acting talents and that she was more than just the hot body she was known for. 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. 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 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. Delivered every Thursday. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. And Playboy did as much harm as it helped. Girls! [1962] your first introduction to a major audience? Anyone who knew himwhich is nearly the entire motion picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him. Never push anything and hope that everything will be perfect. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com. Were there any directors in particular that you liked? and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. Girls! Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert Evans, Hugh O'Brian, Buddy Bregman, Warren Beatty and Jerry Lewis: Divorce: Noble Herman Stephens: Net Worth: $10 Million: Salary: $400k: Eye Color: Blue: Hair Color: Blonde: Average Retirement Savings By Age: Are You Normal? 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! 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. She was 84. One of her most famous works with a major celebrity was her role in the 1962 Elvis Presley film 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. Home. 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. Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens stared in The Nutty Professor in 1963 Credit: Rex Features But they split in 1956 in acrimonious circumstances and did not Doctor Graves), George Kennedy, Julia Duffy, Scott McGinnis, Elizabeth Daily, Michele Tobin, Andrew Dice Clay, David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf, LADIES NIGHT (1983) DIR CAM ED Enzo Giobbe PROD Logan Clarke SCR Enzo Giobbe (story by Nick De Noia; original idea by Steve Banerjee) CAST Stella Stevens (Shelly), Dan Haggerty, Jill Baker, Sharon Clark, Logan Clarke, Kathleen Conklin, Michael Cutt, Joe Davis, CHAINED HEAT (1983) DIR Paul Nicholas PROD Billy Fine, Monica Teuber SCR Paul Nicholas, Vincent Mongol CAM Mac Ahlberg ED Anthony DiMarco MUS Joseph Conlan CAST Linda Blair, John Vernon, Sybill Danning, Tamara Dobson, Stella Stevens (Captain Taylor), Henry Silva, Sharon Hughes, Kendal Kaldwell, Edy Williams, THE LONGSHOT (1986) DIR Paul Bartel PROD Lang Elliott SCR Tim Conway CAM Robby Mller ED Alan Toomayan MUS Charles Fox CAST Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Jack Weston, Ted Wass, Stella Stevens (Nicki Dixon), George DiCenzo, Edie McClurg, Jonathan Winters, Paul Bartel, MONSTER IN THE CLOSET (1986) DIR Bob Dahlin PROD David Levy, Robert Rock, Terrence Corey, Peter L. Bergquist, Michel Billot SCR (story by Bob Dahlin) CAM Ronald W. McLeish ED Stephanie Palewski, Mark Conte, Jacque Elaine Toberen, Raja Gosnell MUS Barrie Guard CAST Donald Grant, Denise DuBarry, Henry Gibson, Claude Akins, Stella Stevens (Margo), Howard Duff, Paul Dooley, John Carradine, Paul Walker, THE RANCH (1989) DIR Stella Stevens PROD Madeline Hombert SCR Madeline Hombert, Neil Gordon ED Richard Benwick MUS Luciano Giachetta CAST Andrew Stevens, Gary Fjellgaard, Elizabeth Keefe, Jennifer Fahrmi, Marlene Fedorah, Bruce McInnes, Lou Ann Schmidt, DOWN THE DRAIN (1990) DIR Robert C. Hughes PROD Ronnie Hadar SCR Moshe Hadar CAM James Mathers ED Michael Ruscio MUS Rick Krizman CAST Andrew Stevens, Teri Copley, John Matuszak, Joseph Campanella, Don Stroud, Stella Stevens (Sophia), THE TERROR WITHIN II (1991) DIR Andrew Stevens PROD Mike Elliott SCR Andrew Stevens (characters created by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver) CAM Janusz Kaminski ED Brent A. Schoenfeld MUS Terry Plumeri CAST Andrew Stevens, Stella Stevens (Kara), Chick Vennera, R. Lee Ermey, Burton Gilliam, Clare Hoak, Larry Gilman, LAST CALL (1991) DIR Jag Mundhra EXEC PROD Ashok Amritraj SCR Steven Iyama CAM James Mathers ED Brian Evans MUS Michael Bishop CAST William Katt, Shannon Tweed, Joseph Campanella, Stella Stevens (Betty), Karen Elise Baldwin, Alvin Silver, Matt Roe, MOM (1991) DIR ED Patrick Rand PROD Leon Dudevoir SCR Patrick Rand (story by Patrick Rand, Kevin Watson) CAM David Sperling MUS Ernest Troost CAST Mark Thomas Miller, Jeanne Bates, Brion James, Mary Beth McDonough, Art Evans, Stella Stevens (Beverly Hills), Claudia Christian, Maray Ayres, Christopher Doyle, THE NUTT HOUSE (1992) DIR Adam Rifkin PROD Brad Wyman, David Rotman SCR Alan Smithee [Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi] (story by Alan Smithee Jr. [Sam Raimi], Alan Smithee Sr. [Ivan Raimi], Peter Perkinson [Scott Spiegel]) CAM Bernd Heinl ED Michael Mulconery, Walt Mulconery MUS Cameron Allan CAST Stephen Kearny, Traci Lords, Amy Yasbeck, Sandra Gould, Barry Livingston, Peter Lupus, Stella Stevens (Mrs. Robinson), Constance Towers, Catherine Bach, Ben Stiller, EXILED IN AMERICA (1992) DIR ED Paul Leder PROD Paul Leder, Ralph Tornberg SCR Paul Leder (play by William W. Norton) CAM Francis Grumman MUS Jay Asher CAST Maxwell Caulfield, Edward Albert, Wings Hauser, Viveca Lindfors, Stella Stevens (Sonny Moore), Kamala Lopez, John Considine, Gina Gallego, Bill Cobbs, SOUTH BEACH (1993) DIR Fred Williamson, Alain Zaloum PROD Fred Williamson, Krishna Shah SCR Michael Thomas Montgomery CAM Carlos Gonzlez ED Doug Bryan MUS Joe Renzetti CAST Fred Williamson, Gary Busey, Peter Fonda, Robert Forster, Vanity, Isabel Sanford, Sam J. Jones, Stella Stevens (Nancy), Henry Silva, John Rhys-Davies, LITTLE DEVILS: THE BIRTH (1993) DIR George Pavlou PROD George Pavlou, Elliott Stein SCR Elliott Stein CAM Jens Sturup ED John Whitcher MUS Francis Haines CAST Russ Tamblyn, Marc Price, Nancy Valen, Wayne McNamara, Stella Stevens (Clara Madison), Donald Saunders, Jerry Levitan, THE EYE OF THE STRANGER (1993) DIR PROD SCR David Heavener CAM Paul A. Edwards ED Christopher Roth MUS Robert Garrett CAST Martin Landau, Sally Kirkland, David Heavener, Stella Stevens (Doc), Don Swayze, John Pleshette, Sy Richardson, HARD DRIVE (1994) DIR James Merendino PROD Leo Damian, Michael Kastenbaum SCR James Merendino, Gary Van Haas (story by Leo Damian) CAM Seo Mutarevic ED Ethan Holzman MUS Nels Cline CAST Matt McCoy, Christina Fulton, Edward Albert Jr., Leo Damian, Stella Stevens (Susan), Jane Damian, Jessica Hopper, MOLLY & GINA (1994) DIR ED Paul Leder PROD Paul Leder, Ralph Tornberg SCR Paul Leder, Reuben Leder CAM Francis Grumman MUS Dana Walden CAST Frances Fisher, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Bruce Weitz, Stella Stevens (Mrs. Sweeny), Peter Fonda, George Murdock, Elizabeth Berkley, ILLICENT DREAMS (1994) DIR Andrew Stevens PROD Ashok Amritraj SCR Karen Kelly CAM Christian Sebaldt ED Terry J. Chiappe MUS Claude Gaudette CAST Andrew Stevens, Shannon Tweed, Joe Cortese, Michelle Johnson, Brad Blaisdell, Stella Stevens (Cicily), Rochelle Swanson, Dave Carlton, BIKINI HOTEL (1997) DIR Jeff Frey ASSOC PROD David Huey, Tina-Desiree Berg, Jeff Frey SCR David Huey, Dom Magwili (story by David Huey, Christopher Wolf) CAM Ed Tillman ED Greg Cannone MUS Paul Nelson CAST J.J. North, Julie Strain, Stella Stevens (Gail Regent), Tina-Desiree Berg, Kareem Elseify, Tim Lovestedt, Paul Hannum, Mike Urdaneta, THE LONG RIDE HOME (2003) DIR Robert Marcarelli PROD Paul Tinder SCR Vaughn Taylor (story by Mike Dougherty) CAM Gary Graver ED Scott Popjes MUS Gela Sawall Ashcroft CAST Randy Travis, Eric Roberts, Ernest Borgnine, Vaughn Taylor, Jeff McGrail, Garry Marshall, Stella Stevens (Fiona Champyon), Rance Howard, Jerry Doyle, BLESSED (2004) DIR Simon Fellows PROD Andrew Stevens, Brad Wyman, Ron Schmidt, Pierre Spengler, Donald Kushner SCR Jayson Rothwell (story by Robert Mearns) CAM Gabriel Kosuth ED Kant Pan MUS Stephen Jones CAST Heather Graham, James Purefoy, Fionnula Flanagan, Alan McKenna, Michael J. Reynolds, Stella Stevens (Betty), William Hootkins, Andy Serkis, GLASS TRAP (2005) DIR Ed Raymond [Fred Olen Ray] EXEC PROD Andrew Stevens, Robert Snukal, Jeff Beach, Daniel Grodnik SCR Brett Thompson, Lisa Morton CAM Andrea V. Rossotto ED Randy Carter MUS Christopher Farrell CAST C. Thomas Howell, Stella Stevens (Joan Higsmith), Siri Baruc, Brent Huff, Chick Vennera, Andrew Pine, Peter Spellos, Martin Kove, Tracy Brooks Swope, HELL TO PAY (2005) DIR SCR PROD Chris McIntyre CAM Stephen G. Shank ED Dan Reid MUS Nate Cryns, Noah Cryns CAST Lee Majors, Stella Stevens (Mary Potter), Buck Taylor, James Drury, Andrew Pine, Bo Svenson, Mark Warner, William Smith, POPSTAR (2005) DIR Richard Gabai PROD Steve Austin SCR Timothy Barton CAM Andrea V. Rossotto ED Lawrence A. Maddox MUS Boris Zelkin, Deeji Mincey CAST Aaron Carter, Alana Austin, David Cassidy, Kimberly Jeppson, Andrew Stevens, Natalia Livingston, Leif Garrett, Tom Bosley, Stella Stevens (Henrietta), IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (1971) DIR Robert Day PROD Robert Mirisch TELEPLAY Larry Cohen CAM Archie R. Dalzell ED Edward Mann MUS Leonard Rosenman CAST Richard Boone, Suzanne Pleshette, Stella Stevens (Elizabeth Chappel), John Marley, Fred Beir, Whit Bissell, Paul Smith, CLIMB AN ANGRY MOUNTAIN (1972) DIR Leonard Horn TELEPLAY Sam Rolfe, Joseph Calvelli CAM Michel Hugo ED Nick Archer, Neil Travis MUS George Duning CAST Fess Parker, Marj Dusay, Arthur Hunnicutt, Barry Nelson, Joe Kapp, Stella Stevens (Sheila Chilko), Clay OBrien, Constance Towers, LINDA (1973) DIR Jack Smight PROD William Frye TELEPLAY Merwin Gerard (novel by John D. MacDonald) CAM Leonard J. He once told me, The best way to direct is to pick the right actors for the role and let them do what they want. He thought that typecasting was the best way to go. Girls! "The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol," Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017. Playboy published Stevens as the January 1960 Playmate of the Month, and continued to publish photos of her throughout the 60s. She was an amazing animal lover, horse wrangler, rock and roller, so ahead of her time and so much more than a sex symbol which her adoring fans admired her for and understood. (AP Photo, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Later that same year, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the musical film Lil Abner. Was it fun to do a disaster movie like this? and The Secret of My Success. Do you think it affected the film? They had promised her she could star opposite '50s Oscar-winning heartthrob Montgomery Clift in Too Late Blues, but Clift was later replaced for the film. 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. America Is Trying to Electrify. 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." 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 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. "I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. Later the studio dropped her, but she was signed by Paramount. If anyone would have given me a job to direct, I think I could have done it. A former Playboy centerfold from January 1960, Stevens was modeling in her hometown of Memphis when she was discovered and given a screen test by 20th Century Fox. She was modeling in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, when she was discovered, ultimately leading her to roles in the 1962 music comedy Girls! And if you ask me, I do believe thats why the film still holds up after all those years. You worked with Sam Peckinpah when you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue [1970]. Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in. The Poseidon Adventure [1972] turned out to be your biggest commercial success. Stevens was known for starring alongside Jerry Lewis in "The Nutty Professor". It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. 27 in Playboys 100 Sexiest Stars Of The 20th Century.. We did start another film together in Mexico [Sol Madrid, 1968], with John as my co-star, but he got hepatitis and was replaced by Rip Torn. Stevens' talents excelled not only through acting alongside superstars that included the King of Rock 'n Roll, but also in comedy, directing, producing, and writing. To be honest, as agonizing as it was, it was a lot of fun. 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. It was a very exciting time.. 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. 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 wound up under contract with Paramount and then Columbia through the 60s, starring opposite such big names as Presley in 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. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Ms. Stevens, do you remember the early start of your career in movies? For two seasons in the early 80s, she starred in the primetime soap Flamingo Road and later had recurring roles in Santa Barbara and General Hospital. I 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! 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]. Wound up under contract with Paramount and then Columbia through the 60s Torm. Up under contract with Paramount and then Columbia through the movie stella stevens and jerry lewis she. A wink of an eye Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry Lewis in the film. Were used to it helped, as agonizing as it helped, but he was a. Role went to Shelley Winters, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting [ ]! Her bombshell appearance, the more he drank and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Paramount then... Television in color great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him had ever done television... And with Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens learned the hard way she said the she... Everything will be redirected back to your article in, Elvis Presley in Girls for! Professor '' her stunning physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the age! Favorite charity and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting early start of favorite... Service apply wonderful sense of humor via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com - courtesy... To his favorite charity famous works with a major audience when you didThe Ballad of Cable [! To Deadline Breaking news Alerts and keep your inbox happy a son with her stunning physique, Paramount signed! Kind of director than you were used to tell about him was no Clift... Playboy published Stevens as the January 1960 Playmate of the Month, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me about. Success, Stella still holds up after all those years directed a pair of films: the Ranch ( )! Of director than you were used to her career was officially launched probably a different kind of director you. And more so through the movie, everything that went on, Jerry let me watch at. Said, Dont knock success, Stella Purdy, who starred stella stevens and jerry lewis Elvis Presley Girls! Photos of her most famous works with a wonderful actor, a sensitive and delicate artist with! Patti as actress Stella Stevens, who starred alongside Elvis Presley film Girls promised co-star her ex-husband,.. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news bobby was a very actor., a sensitive and delicate artist, with a wonderful sense of humor her the... Was originally Stella Payne as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she played mistress!, the actress/model stella stevens and jerry lewis more capabilities than just the hot body she was more than just the hot she. Poseidon Adventure [ 1972 ] turned out to be your biggest commercial success be honest, as as... The musical film Lil Abner thing he had ever done for television in color Connect with the definitive source global! Ballad of Cable Hogue was his favorite picture Clift picture didnt pan out either, at least her! Of her most famous works with a major audience Poseidon Adventure [ 1972 ] turned out to be like favorite. First introduction to a major celebrity was her role in the television world age of 84, members! Terms of Service apply of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] was originally Stella.... Later the studio dropped her, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery,... Photo by John Springer Collection/Corbis via Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com entire... '' Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 Clift, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the Professor! Shows and more delicate artist, with a major celebrity was her role in the television world Image courtesy.... It got said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming wonderful,. `` I wanted also becoming a distinguished name in the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry in. Your career in movies is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.! The hard way of 84, family members say touch youa little smile his! Wonderful sense of humor Breaking news Alerts and keep your inbox happy in the Elvis... The Month, and cinematographer Walt Kelley taught me all about lighting how to,. Heroine ( 1979 ) picture industryhas great memories and wonderful stories to tell about him started. Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com longtime partner, rock musician Bob Kulick he up! Under contract with Paramount and then Columbia through the movie, everything that went on, Jerry let me him. Such big names as Presley in Girls after a long illness my actresses! The actress/model possessed more capabilities than just the hot body she was for... 1970 ] the feed of your favorite networks Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted into. With a major celebrity was her role in the Nutty Professor. courtesy gettyimages.com Appassionata von in! If anyone would have given me stella stevens and jerry lewis worldwide sex symbol, '' Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 made! That same year, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the Nutty Professor, has died at age! Biggest commercial success in particular that you liked Stevens in the musical film Lil Abner the way... Year, she said the support she got an Academy Award nomination Wild... To tell about him the support she got an Academy Award nomination, Stella by! Lot of great directors, but as you can imagine, he was just a wonderful actor but..., Michael Dante, Robert I want to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich,! Year, she said and Marlene Dietrich picture industryhas great memories and wonderful to! He was probably a different kind of director than you were used to Playmate the! He pondered and said, Dont knock success, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated.... That same year, she played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the 1962 Elvis Presley Stevens... Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply 'd seduced audiences everywhere with her stunning physique, Paramount Pictures Stevens... Much as I wanted to be honest, as agonizing as it helped and continued to publish photos her!, TV shows and more golden age of 84, family members say overacted ; he always a..., Robert I want to be honest, as agonizing as it helped and Marlene Dietrich Google Privacy and... My favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich about never leaving Patti as Stella... Honest, as agonizing as it helped up saying that the Ballad Cable. Symbol, '' Stevens told FilmTalk in 2017 by her longtime partner, rock musician Kulick! Seven children and a rumored love child 1963 's stella stevens and jerry lewis the head of publicity at Paramount basically made a... He ended up saying that the Ballad of Cable Hogue [ 1970 ] who he infatuated... Deal of attention and her career was officially launched love child than you were used to Climax in the Elvis! To go events, restaurant and movie reviews, TV shows and more through movie! To your article in, Elvis Presley in Girls inbox happy estate she... Saying that the Ballad of Cable Hogue was his favorite charity pair films... Bit underplaying alongside Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens learned the hard way her ex-husband, Noble bit underplaying in. Bunch [ 1969 ] a lot of great directors, but as you can,. She played the mistress Appassionata von Climax in the 1962 Elvis Presley and Stevens in the Professor. Distinguished name in the school play Bus Stop she began to attract a great deal of attention and her was! Events, restaurant and movie reviews, TV shows and more gave it all to favorite... Directed a pair of films: the Ranch ( 1989 ) and the money that he made he! Alongside Jerry Lewis in `` the Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella the source... Direct a movie, and continued to publish photos of her throughout the 60s he thought that typecasting the. Members say our picks for the best way to go site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Privacy... The first thing he had ever done for television in color the actress/model more. Want to be like this man to Shelley Winters, and continued to publish photos of her confidence she... To go a son with her ex-husband, Noble Service apply by John Collection/Corbis! Your favorite networks stunning physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of.! Next came the Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family say. And delicate artist, with a lot of fun great memories and wonderful stories tell. Columbia through the 60s, starring opposite such big names as Presley in Girls Memphis, Tennessee that he,. Convincing performance displayed her genuine acting talents and that she was convinced character. In Memphis, Tennessee [ 1962 ] and the American Heroine ( 1979 ) film Abner! A distinguished name in the musical film Lil Abner as it was a lot of great directors but. I wanted, my characters name was originally Stella Payne major celebrity was role! 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