The Nutty Professor star Stella Stevens dies aged 84
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It is with great sadness that we here at the Seniors Discount Club must report the passing of beloved actress Stella Stevens.
Stevens is best known for appearing in a variety of comedies and classic films, such as The Nutty Professor, The Poseidon Adventure, Girls! Girls! Girls!, and The Secret of My Success.
Sadly, last Friday Stella Stevens, who was 84 years old at the time of her passing, lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease.
The daughter of Estelle Caro Eggleston, Stevens was born in 1938 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She married at sixteen and gave birth to her only child, actor/producer Andrew Stevens, a year later – and things only took off from there.
During her time at Memphis State University, she began taking acting and modelling classes and quickly found success; this drove her to pursue a career in Hollywood, leading to her big break with the 1959 Bing Crosby musical, Say One For Me.
In a year that saw the rise of many young actresses, one woman shone brighter than them all. In 1960, Stevens not only won the prestigious Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress, but she shared the honour with other rising stars like Angie Dickinson and Tuesday Weld.
A true trailblazer, Stevens' talent and beauty quickly made her a household name. But that's not all. Stevens' allure extended far beyond the silver screen.
She graced the pages of Playboy magazine not once, not twice, but three times! In 1960, she was the Playmate of the Month and went on to be featured in Playboy pictorials in 1965 and 1968.
Her beauty was so captivating that she was included in Playboy's 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century, where she ranked an impressive 27th. It's no wonder that she was one of the most photographed women in the world throughout the 1960s.
Credit: RetroTVCentral.
Stevens' stunning performance in Li'l Abner (1959) landed her a coveted contract with Paramount Pictures, where she went on to star in a plethora of films and leading roles. From the classics to the not-so-classics, her on-screen presence was truly unforgettable. With her talent, charisma, and stunning beauty, she quickly became one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
From her unforgettable performance as Jerry Lewis' love interest in The Nutty Professor to her hilarious turn as a nun in Where Angels Go Trouble Follows, Stevens left an indelible mark on the film industry with her standout roles.
And, of course, who could forget? Stevens also had an on-screen chemistry that was simply electric, and nowhere was that more apparent than in the classic film Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962).
Here, she starred alongside none other than the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley, and Laurel Goodwin in a love triangle that had audiences on the edge of their seats.
Though the film was a dream come true for Stevens, who couldn't help but fall for the charming co-star, the experience was soured by the notorious temper of director Norman Taurog.
But even the difficult filming conditions couldn't dim the magic of Stevens and Presley's on-screen partnership, which captivated audiences then and now.
Television was also a huge part of Stevens' career in the 1960s. She appeared in several top-rated series, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, General Electric Theater, and Ben Casey.
One of her earliest television appearances was in a critically acclaimed 1960 episode of Bonanza, ‘Silent Thunder’, where she played a deaf-mute character. No matter what medium she was in, Stevens' undeniable talent and on-screen presence made her one of the most sought-after actresses of her time.
Apart from her prolific acting career, Stevens was also a passionate creative. Until her retirement in 2010, she was still pursuing her dream of directing a big-budget film, though that wish sadly never came to fruition.
With her gorgeous features and enviable talent, the star was truly an icon of her era – and will be remembered by many of us as we look back with fondness and admiration.
Her passing marks a sad moment, but we can be sure her work and her spirit will live on in the hearts of everyone who was inspired and impacted by her.
She is survived by her son Andrew and three grandchildren. Stevens was preceded in death by her partner of 37 years, KISS guitarist Bob Kulick, who sadly passed away in 2020.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the beloved actress Stella Stevens. We know that the loss of such a talented and beloved figure is significant, and we want to extend our deepest condolences to those who knew and loved her best.
As we remember her amazing career, let us also take a moment to share our favourite Stella Stevens moments.
Members, do you have any fond memories of her films and TV series? What is your favourite? Whether it's a hilarious scene from one of her comedies or a heart-wrenching moment from a drama, we want to hear your stories and memories in the comments below.
Stevens is best known for appearing in a variety of comedies and classic films, such as The Nutty Professor, The Poseidon Adventure, Girls! Girls! Girls!, and The Secret of My Success.
Sadly, last Friday Stella Stevens, who was 84 years old at the time of her passing, lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease.
The daughter of Estelle Caro Eggleston, Stevens was born in 1938 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She married at sixteen and gave birth to her only child, actor/producer Andrew Stevens, a year later – and things only took off from there.
Stella Stevens, a Golden Globe-winning actress and '60s Hollywood bombshell, has died at the age of 84. Credit: General Electric Theater. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
During her time at Memphis State University, she began taking acting and modelling classes and quickly found success; this drove her to pursue a career in Hollywood, leading to her big break with the 1959 Bing Crosby musical, Say One For Me.
In a year that saw the rise of many young actresses, one woman shone brighter than them all. In 1960, Stevens not only won the prestigious Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress, but she shared the honour with other rising stars like Angie Dickinson and Tuesday Weld.
A true trailblazer, Stevens' talent and beauty quickly made her a household name. But that's not all. Stevens' allure extended far beyond the silver screen.
She graced the pages of Playboy magazine not once, not twice, but three times! In 1960, she was the Playmate of the Month and went on to be featured in Playboy pictorials in 1965 and 1968.
Her beauty was so captivating that she was included in Playboy's 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century, where she ranked an impressive 27th. It's no wonder that she was one of the most photographed women in the world throughout the 1960s.
Credit: RetroTVCentral.
Stevens' stunning performance in Li'l Abner (1959) landed her a coveted contract with Paramount Pictures, where she went on to star in a plethora of films and leading roles. From the classics to the not-so-classics, her on-screen presence was truly unforgettable. With her talent, charisma, and stunning beauty, she quickly became one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
From her unforgettable performance as Jerry Lewis' love interest in The Nutty Professor to her hilarious turn as a nun in Where Angels Go Trouble Follows, Stevens left an indelible mark on the film industry with her standout roles.
And, of course, who could forget? Stevens also had an on-screen chemistry that was simply electric, and nowhere was that more apparent than in the classic film Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962).
Here, she starred alongside none other than the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley, and Laurel Goodwin in a love triangle that had audiences on the edge of their seats.
Though the film was a dream come true for Stevens, who couldn't help but fall for the charming co-star, the experience was soured by the notorious temper of director Norman Taurog.
But even the difficult filming conditions couldn't dim the magic of Stevens and Presley's on-screen partnership, which captivated audiences then and now.
Stevens played the role of Robin, a childish, insensitive club singer, in the film Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962). Credit: Paramount Pictures (corporate author), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Television was also a huge part of Stevens' career in the 1960s. She appeared in several top-rated series, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, General Electric Theater, and Ben Casey.
One of her earliest television appearances was in a critically acclaimed 1960 episode of Bonanza, ‘Silent Thunder’, where she played a deaf-mute character. No matter what medium she was in, Stevens' undeniable talent and on-screen presence made her one of the most sought-after actresses of her time.
Apart from her prolific acting career, Stevens was also a passionate creative. Until her retirement in 2010, she was still pursuing her dream of directing a big-budget film, though that wish sadly never came to fruition.
With her gorgeous features and enviable talent, the star was truly an icon of her era – and will be remembered by many of us as we look back with fondness and admiration.
Stella Stevens and her partner, Bob Kulick. Credit: Facebook/Bruce Kulick.
Her passing marks a sad moment, but we can be sure her work and her spirit will live on in the hearts of everyone who was inspired and impacted by her.
She is survived by her son Andrew and three grandchildren. Stevens was preceded in death by her partner of 37 years, KISS guitarist Bob Kulick, who sadly passed away in 2020.
As we remember her amazing career, let us also take a moment to share our favourite Stella Stevens moments.
Members, do you have any fond memories of her films and TV series? What is your favourite? Whether it's a hilarious scene from one of her comedies or a heart-wrenching moment from a drama, we want to hear your stories and memories in the comments below.
