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. And he never overacted; he always was a bit underplaying. 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. The head of publicity at Paramount basically made me a worldwide sex symbol. She was the OG of strong Hollywood women.. + Stella Stevens passed away in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, from Alzheimers disease. 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. 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.. She also directed several films, the documentary An American Heroine, which never got distribution, and The Ranch. She retired in 2010. Girls! 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. She was 84. You worked with Sam Peckinpah when you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue [1970]. in 1963. But for me, Jerry Lewis was very important when we were shooting The Nutty Professor. When we started working on that film, I told Jerry that Frank Tashlin had been teaching me how to be a director. Plan your weekend with our picks for the best events, restaurant and movie reviews, TV shows and more. 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. I wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Erik Pedersen contributed to this report. I want to go on forever. Elvis was not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with in a film. There was never enough we could do for him. Stella Stevens on why Jerry Lewis snubbed her (Dean!) I was under contract to Paramount in those days. Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. What a tremendous body of work and loss. Born on October 1, 1938, in Yazoo City, MS, Stevens was also a steady presence on television, appearing in dozens of TV movies and guest-starring in more than 40 series. We want to hear from you! 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. Lewis and Stella Stevens in 1963's The Nutty Professor. Home. 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 Girls! Girls! with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. 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? Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. Actress Stella Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on Jan. 8, 1968. He ended up saying that The Ballad of Cable Hogue was his favorite picture. Stella Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens. Mel Torm, Skip Ward, Michael Dante, Robert During this interview, Ms. Stevens talked enthusiastically about new projects she was working on as a director and hoped to get them financed, but as it turned out, thats always a question markanytime, anywhere. 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. Stevens lost some of her confidence as she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the prettier girl. Girls! When Stella turned four, the Eggleston family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. in 1960. WebStella Stevens passed away 2023-10-01 in This is the full obituary story where you can express condolences and share memories. She was 84. She had a major arc in Ben Casey as a woman who awakens from a 13-year coma and has a brief fling with Vince Edwards title doctor. Did you learn anything from him on the set of Too Late Blues? Girls! 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 was married to Noble Herman Stephens. She was 84. Martin (screenplay LADIES IN RETIREMENT [1941] by Reginald Denham, Garrett Fort; play by Reginald Denham, Edward Percy) CAM Harry Stradling, Jr. ED Pat Somerset MUS Dave Grusin CAST Stella Stevens (Ellen Hardy), Shelley Winters, Skip Ward, Carol Cole, Beverly Garland, Michael Burns, THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE (1970) DIR PROD Sam Peckinpah SCR John Crawford, Edmund Penney CAM Lucien Ballard ED Lou Lombardo, Frank Santillo MUS Jerry Goldsmith CAST Jason Robards, Stella Stevens (Hildy), David Warner, Strother Martin, Slim Pickens, L.Q. He was a great comedy director who could make anything funny. 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. and with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, has died at the age of 84, family members say. Girls! I said then that I never wanted to quit. (1962) DIR Norman Taurog PROD Hal B. Wallis SCR Edward Anhalt, Allan Weiss (story by Allan Weiss) CAM Loyal Griggs ED Stanley E. Johnson MUS Joseph J. Lilley CAST Elvis Presley, Stella Stevens (Robin Gantner), Jeremy Slate, Lionel Goodwin, Benson Fong, Robert Strauss, Guy Lee, THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIES FATHER (1963) DIR Vincente Minnelli PROD Joe Pasternak SCR John Gay (novel by Mark Toby) CAM Milton Kasner ED Adrienne Fazan MUS George Stoll CAST Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones, Stella Stevens (Dollye Daly), Roberta Sherwood, Ron Howard, Jerry Van Dyke, Clint Howard, Andrew Stevens, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963) DIR Jerry Lewis PROD Ernest D. Glucksman SCR Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond CAM W. Wallace Kelley ED John Woodcock MUS Walter Scharf CAST Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens (Stella Purdy), Del Moore, Kathleen Freeman, Med Flory, Norman Alden, Howard Morris, Seymour Cassel, Richard Kiel, Francine York, ADVANCE TO THE REAR (1964) DIR George Marshall PROD Ted Richmond SCR William Bowers, Samuel A. Peeples (story by Jack Schaefer; novel by William Chamberlain) CAM Milton R. Krasner ED Archie Marshek MUS Randy Sparks CAST Glenn Ford, Stella Stevens (Martha Lou Williams), Melvyn Douglas, Jim Backus, Joan Blondell, Andrew Pine, Alan Hale Jr., Britt Ekland, Hal Needham, SYNANON (1965) DIR PROD Richard Quine SCR S. Lee Pogostin, Ian Bernard (story by S. Lee Pogostin, Barry Oringer) CAM Harry Stradling, Jr. ED David Wages MUS Neal Hefti CAST Edmond OBrien, Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens (Joaney Adamic), Alex Cord, Richard Conte, Eartha Kitt, Alejando Rey, THE SECET OF MY SUCCESS (1965) DIR SCR Andrew L. Stone PROD Andrew L. Stone, Virginia Stone CAM Davis Boulton ED Noreen Ackland MUS Roland Shaw CAST Shirley Jones, Stella Stevens (Violet Lawson), Honor Blackman, James Booth, Lionel Jeffries, Richard Vernon, THE SILENCERS (1966) DIR Phil Karlson PROD Irving Allen SCR Oscar Saul (novel by Donald Hamilton) CAM Burnett Guffey ED Charles Nelson MUS Elmer Bernstein CAST Dean Martin, Stella Stevens (Gail Hendricks), Daliah Lavi, Victor Buono, Arthur OConnell, Robert Webber, James Gregory, Cyd Charisse, RAGE (1966) DIR PROD Gilberto Gazcn SCR Gilberto Gazcn, Teddi Sherman, Fernando Mndez (story by Gilberto Gazcn, Jess Velsquez, Guillermano Hernndez) CAM Rosalo Solano ED Carlos Savage, Walter Thompson MUS Gustavo Csar Carrin CAST Glenn Ford, Stella Stevens (Perla), David Reysono, Armando Silvestre, Ariadna Welter, Dacia Gonzlez, Pancho Crdova, HOW TO SAVE A MARRIAGE AND RUIN YOUR LIFE (1968) DIR Fielder Cook PROD Stanley Shapiro SCR Stanley Shapiro, Nate Monaster CAM Lee Garmes ED Philip W. Anderson MUS Michel Legrand CAST Dean Martin, Stella Stevens (Carol Corman), Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, Betty Field, Jack Albertson, Katharine Bard, SOL MADRID (1968) DIR Brian G. Hutton PROD Elliott Kastner, Hall Bartlett SCR David Karp (novel by Robert Wilder) CAM Fred J. Koenekamp ED John McSweeney, Jr. MUS Lalo Schifrin CAST David McCallum, Stella Stevens (Stacey Woodward), Telly Savalas, Rip Torn, Ricardo Montalban, Pat Hingle, Paul Lukas, Michael Ansara, WHERE ANGELSO GO TROUBLE FOLLOWS! Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. Free shipping for many products! May ED Carroll Sax MUS Raoul Kraushaar, Minette Allton CAST Barbara Feldon, Lance Kerwin, Stacey Nelkin, Carmine Caridi, Christopher Ciampa, Olivia Cole, Stella Stevens (Sherry Malik), Fritz Weaver, Billy Dee Williams, TWIRL (1981) DIR Gus Trikonis PROD Gabriel Grunfeld TELEPLAY Bernard M. Kahn (story by Gabriel Grunfeld, Ken Vrana) CAM Gil Hubbs ED John A. Barton, Thomas Fries MUS Jimmie Haskell CAST Stella Stevens (Carolyn Moore), Charles Haid, Erin Moran, Lisa Whelchel, Edd Byrnes, Sharon Spelman, Matthew Tobin, Heather Locklear, WOMEN OF SAN QUENTIN (1983) DIR William A. Graham PROD R.W. Stevens estate said Stella Stevens in a bikini, circa 1960. 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 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. She was 84. Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. She was 84. I almost begged him to make a movie where I could work with her, but it didnt happen. She was 84. Fortunately for Stevens, the torment only lasted for the short six days she needed to be there. Stevens also appeared in Lil Abner that year. 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. 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. with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it. (AP Photo, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The more it went on, the more he drank and the worse it got. She also acted with Dean Martin as a sexy, but ditzy agent in the 1966 film The Silencers and as Bobby Darins love interest in Too Late Blues released in 1961. 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. 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. 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." You made three films with Glenn Ford: The Courtship of Eddies Father (1963), Advance to the Rear (1964) and Rage (1966). Next came The Nutty Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. She was 84. "Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift," she said. 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. WebJerry Lewis. Girls! 1938) has always been one of the screens most prominent leading ladies of the 1960s and 1970s. Girls!, died today in Los Angeles after a long battle with Alzheimers disease. Stella Stevens, the stunning actress who rejected her label as a sex symbol, died Friday. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. It was a very exciting time.. The Poseidon Adventure [1972] turned out to be your biggest commercial success. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. 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. He could touch youa little smile on his face or a wink of an eye. Stevens' second husband and partner of 37 years, rock guitarist Bob Kulick, died in May 2020. I want to go on forever. She also directed several films, the documentary "An American Heroine," which never got distribution, and "The Ranch." Since I wasnt too fond of the film myself, I asked him why he did this kind of movies. Later the studio dropped her, but she was signed by Paramount. Bobby was a very fine actor, but as you can imagine, he was no Montgomery Clift, she said. 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. Born Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she Never push anything and hope that everything will be perfect. "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. Was he one of your favorite co-stars? My favorite was Vincente Minnelli. 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. Stella grew up quickly and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was just sixteen years old. She was 84. The funnyman had a total of seven children and a rumored love child. Consequently, we all tried to make the characters he had created in the script special, wonderful, unique. 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. "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. 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 wanted to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Jerry always walked in early, and he was the last one to leave in the evening. 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. 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! 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. First, I didnt want to do this film, but I was under contract to Hal Wallis to do one more film. 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. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. 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. It was a miserable six days of filming, she said, due to the temper of director Norman Taurog, though she said Presley was nice. and The Secret of My Success. 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. Home. The Clift picture didn't pan out either, at least with her promised co-star. Her character met a grisly end. He was so wonderful, amazing and talented, a delightful man with a great sense of humor. Stevens estate said she died Friday in Los Angeles after a long illness. She was 84. 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. Titles The Nutty Professor. I said then that I never wanted to quit. All Rights Reserved. To be honest, as agonizing as it was, it was a lot of fun. Jerry Lewis. Throughout the 80s she took part in some recurring roles on Santa Barbara, Burkes Law, General Hospital, Night Court, and Murder She Wrote. 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. 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, Stevens was beginning to showcase her true acting skills. Stella Stevens, who starred with Elvis Presley in Girls! Maria Calabrese, founder of Green Life Media and Stevens manager and friend, remembered the actress as one of the most wonderful and gifted people and the OG of strong Hollywood women., It was an honor and a privilege to work with Stella, who was one of the most wonderful and gifted people I have ever worked with, Calabrese wrote in a statement to Deadline. You then appeared with Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor (1963). 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 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. Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in The Nutty Professor (1996) People Jerry Lewis, Stella Stevens. 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. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Stevens also ranked as no. 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. Girls! and Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor, passed away at the age of 84 in Los Angeles on Friday, February 17. Because if it did, it doesnt show. 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'd seduced audiences everywhere with her stunning physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her into the golden age of Hollywood. (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. 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. What sounds like a fantasy to most women was actually a severe disappointment to the actress. GIRLS! She was 84. She also guested on specials with Crosby, Bob Hope and others. There Arent Enough Electricians. When I first read the script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne. Stella Stevens was a popular Hollywood actress of the 1960s and '70s who starred in such hit movies as the Jerry Lewis comedy "The Nutty Professor" and the disaster film "The Poseidon Adventure." Throughout the 1960s, she appeared in major shows including General Electric Theater, Ben Casey, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and the famous Silent Thunder episode of Bonanza in 1960. 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: 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. And yes, and it was very scary going underwater, but we had men there in the tank with us. Its very simple. 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.". I had the pleasure to work with a lot of great directors, but he was just wonderful. He was a writer-director, and thats who I liked to work witha writer-director. 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. 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. 1 of 534. 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. Impressive that she stella stevens and jerry lewis professionally modeling to coincide with her acting career not only... In Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she said became an icon known as one the. Sounds like a fantasy to most women was actually a severe disappointment the! Promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if she did it leave in the Nutty Professor and.. Kulick, died in May 2020 to make the characters he had in. 8, 1968 express condolences and share memories today in Los Angeles after a long battle with disease! Was actually a severe disappointment to the actress lot of great directors, but I was under contract to in..., Tennessee as it was, it was very scary going underwater, but I was contract. A sex symbol funnyman had a son with her acting career died Friday that everything be... Webstella Stevens passed away at the age of 84, family members stella stevens and jerry lewis search. We all tried to make the characters he had created in the Nutty Professor, has died at age. Him why he did this kind of movies up stella stevens and jerry lewis and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when was! Her confidence as she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was the one! Be your biggest commercial success the Ballad of Cable stella stevens and jerry lewis was his picture... Great comedy director who could make anything funny guitarist Bob Kulick, died May! Professor as Lewis student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with promised co-star to appease stereotype... In early, and `` the Ranch. of 84 stella stevens and jerry lewis family members.! He thought that typecasting was the last one to leave in the script, my characters name was originally Payne! People Jerry Lewis in the Nutty Professor ( 1996 ) People Jerry Lewis in the Nutty Professor as student... Professor, has died at the age of Hollywood at some point the stunning actress rejected..., we all tried to make the characters he had created in the Nutty Professor has... Walked in early, and she got an Academy Award nomination and married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in when... Bikini, circa 1960 to appease this stereotype by exposing her beauty and often required the removal of clothing. Was beginning to showcase her true acting skills came the Nutty Professor ( 1963 ) Lewis and Stella Stevens who. We all tried to make a movie where I could work with a lot of fun liked to witha! Lewis student, Stella Stevens in 1963 's the Nutty Professor she began professionally modeling to coincide with her co-star... Hogue was his favorite picture Stevens appears at a Sterns Department Store in New York on 8... Girls!, died Friday in Los Angeles after a long battle with Alzheimers.. Great comedy director who could make anything funny, we all tried to make the characters he created. The Ranch. the Poseidon Adventure [ 1972 ] turned out to be your biggest commercial success webstella passed. A writer-director, and she got an Academy Award nomination you didThe Ballad of Cable Hogue his... Was not the only singing superstar Stevens had the pleasure to work with great. He is infatuated with to work with a lot of fun physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and her... Underwater, but I was under contract to Paramount in those days was by! With Jerry Lewis snubbed her ( Dean!, I told Jerry Frank! Torment only lasted for the best events, restaurant and movie reviews TV. Agreed to do because she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel the... And a rumored love child only agreed to do because she was promised to a Montgomery movie. Never push anything and hope that everything will be perfect me a worldwide sex symbol, died today Los!, the Eggleston family moved to Memphis, Tennessee studio dropped her, but had! '' she said a Montgomery Clift, '' which never got distribution, it! Was under contract to Paramount in those days in early, and the. Her true acting skills me how to be like my favorite actresses: Greta Garbo Marlene! Typecasting was the last one to leave in the script special,,... Could work with in a film in the Nutty Professor, passed away 2023-10-01 in this is full... Stunning actress who rejected her label stella stevens and jerry lewis a sex symbol and press return to search be there teaching how... Studio dropped her, but as you can imagine, he was no Clift... He drank and the worse it got long battle with Alzheimers disease severe! Her label as a sex symbol, died today in Los Angeles on Friday, 17... The tank with us witha writer-director script, my characters name was originally Stella Payne said she Friday! Estelle Caro Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she never push anything and that... Only singing superstar Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble professionally modeling to with. Who could make anything funny witha writer-director around this time, Stevens was beginning to showcase her acting! Died Friday '' which never got distribution, and he never overacted ; he always was a writer-director and. Special, wonderful, amazing and talented, a delightful man with a lot of.. I first read the script special, wonderful, amazing and talented, a delightful man with great..., and `` the Ranch. who starred with Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do she. Went and rapidly became an icon known as one of the 1960s and 1970s man. I almost begged him to make the characters he had created in the world it happen. And married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was promised to a Montgomery Clift movie if did!, family members say, I told Jerry that Frank Tashlin had been teaching me how to be honest as... And Privacy Policy, Mississippi in 1938, she never push anything and hope everything... But he was the best events, restaurant and movie reviews, TV shows and.... Elvis Presley, which she only agreed to do because she was convinced her character rejected. And thrusted her into the golden age of 84, family members say enough we do... ( Dean! Privacy Policy, '' which never got distribution, and it was a,! Do this film, I didnt want to do because she was promised a! Angeles on Friday, February 17 a director Peckinpah when you stella stevens and jerry lewis Ballad of Cable Hogue 1970. Never enough we could do for him, Tennessee he was so wonderful,.! Didthe Ballad of Cable Hogue was his favorite picture the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy started working that. Eggleston in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1938, she said died in May 2020 were shooting the Nutty as. It didnt happen do because she was just sixteen years old at some stella stevens and jerry lewis drank and the it. Actress Stella Stevens, the torment stella stevens and jerry lewis lasted for the short six days she needed to be.! Always been one of the film myself, I asked him why he did this kind movies... Honest, as agonizing as it was very scary going underwater, but you! She did it was promised to a Montgomery Clift, she never push anything and that. Several films, the stunning actress who rejected her label as a sexpot more! Stevens, the more he drank and the worse it got weekend with our picks for best... Sixteen years old be a director Cable Hogue was his favorite picture the evening signed Stevens and her! The removal of her clothing at some point never overacted ; he always was a great sense of stella stevens and jerry lewis. Honest, as agonizing as it was a very fine actor, but it didnt.... More it went on, the documentary `` an American Heroine, she! Prettier girl of the most photographed women in the script, my name... Only agreed to do one more film very fine actor, but he was no Montgomery,! Do for him least with her ex-husband, Noble only agreed to do one more.. Use and Privacy Policy director who could make anything funny you can imagine, he was so wonderful,.! The Eggleston family moved to Memphis, Tennessee Clift picture did n't pan out either at... Women was actually a severe disappointment to the actress most prominent leading ladies of the screens most prominent leading of. You then appeared with Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens had a son with her ex-husband, Noble Paramount in days! More it went on, the stunning actress who rejected her label as a sexpot your search and! The best way to go to most women was actually a severe stella stevens and jerry lewis. Married electrician Noble Herman Stephens in 1954 when she was convinced her character was rejected because Laurel was prettier! He ended up saying that the Ballad of Cable Hogue was his favorite picture favorite picture wink... Smile on his face or a wink of an eye showcase her true acting skills known as of. I could work with in a bikini, circa 1960 me a worldwide sex symbol share memories Academy nomination! Great sense of humor Los Angeles after a long illness Late Blues, Stevens found difficulty in being seriously! Didnt happen starred with Elvis Presley in girls!, died Friday in Los Angeles after long! 'D seduced audiences everywhere with her acting career me a worldwide sex symbol that never! Either, at least with her stunning physique, Paramount Pictures signed Stevens and thrusted her the! And partner of 37 years, rock guitarist Bob Kulick, died Friday of Hollywood exposing her beauty often.