Stella Stevens

Stella Stevens (born Estelle Caro Eggleston; October 1, 1938 – February 17, 2023) was an American actress. She is the mother of actor Andrew Stevens.
Stevens began her acting career in 1959 in film Say One for Me and won the Golden Globe Award - for "New Star of the Year". She appeared in three Playboy Pictorials and was named Playmate of the Month for January 1960.
She starred in films such as Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), The Nutty Professor (1963), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and also appeared in several television series. Stevens also worked as film producer, director, and writer.
Early life
Born Estelle Caro Eggleston on October 1, 1938, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, she was the only child of Thomas Ellett Eggleston, an insurance salesman, and his wife, Estelle (née Caro) Eggleston, a nurse who was sometimes called by the nickname "Dovey".
One of the younger Estelle Eggleston's great-grandfathers was Henry Clay Tyler, an early settler from Boston and a jeweler who gave the Yazoo City courthouse cupola its clock.
When Stella Stevens was four, her parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee; they lived on Carrington Road, near Highland Street, in the city. She attended St. Anne's Catholic School which is on Highland Street and Sacred Heart School on Jefferson Avenue graduating from high school in 1955 at the Memphis Evening School at Memphis Tech High School.
At age 16, she married electrician Noble Herman Stephens, on December 3, 1954, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. They moved to Memphis, where their only child, Herman Andrew Stephens was born on June 10, 1955. The couple divorced in 1957.
While studying at Memphis State University, Stella became interested in acting and modeling. According to her official biography, "Her schooling in Memphis, included a couple of years at Memphis State University, where she was noticed in the school play Bus Stop. The Memphis Press-Scimitar review of that performance in Memphis sparked her career."
Film career
Stevens was modelling and working for Goldsmith's department store in Memphis when she signed a contract with 20th Century-Fox in 1958 with Buddy Adler and Dick Powell considering her for a film based on the life of Jean Harlow. She made her film debut in Say One for Me (1959), a modest musical produced by and starring Bing Crosby, appearing in the minor role of a chorus girl. Stevens' contract with Fox was dropped after six months. After winning the role of Appassionata Von Climax in the musical Li'l Abner (1959), she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures (1959-1963). In 1960, she won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress for her performance in Say One for Me, sharing the distinction with fellow up-and-comers Tuesday Weld, Angie Dickinson, and Janet Munro.
In 1961, she starred opposite Bobby Darin in John Cassavetes' Too Late Blues, and in 1962, she starred opposite Elvis Presley in Girls! Girls! Girls!.
The following year in 1963 she appeared in two successful comedy films: The Nutty Professor starring comedian Jerry Lewis, where she plays his student and love interest Stella Purdy, and in Vincente Minnelli's The Courtship of Eddie's Father, playing the would-be "Miss Montana" beauty queen.
In 1964, she signed a four-year contract with Columbia Pictures. 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). Her last film for Columbia was Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968) in which she played Sister George.
In 1970, Stevens starred opposite Jason Robards in Sam Peckinpah's The Ballad of Cable Hogue, for which she received positive reviews. 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." In 1972, she co-starred with Jim Brown in the blaxploitation movie Slaughter, later in the year costarring in Irwin Allen's hugely successful disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Roddy McDowall, and Shelley Winters. Stevens played the role of Linda Rogo, the "refreshingly outspoken" ex-prostitute wife of Borgnine's character. In 1986, she appeared in Monster in the Closet.
Although she continued to appear in feature films for the next four decades, Stevens shifted the focus of her career to television series, miniseries, and telemovies.
Television career
Stevens appeared in several top television series in the 1960s, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1960), General Electric Theater (1960, 1961), and Ben Casey (1964). One of her earliest television appearances was in a critically acclaimed 1960 episode of Bonanza, "Silent Thunder"; she played a deaf-mute.
In the early 1970s, she began working regularly on television series, miniseries, and movies. She appeared in episodes of popular series such as Ghost Story (TV series) (1972), Banacek (1973) and Police Story (1975), as well as the pilot films for Wonder Woman (1975), The Love Boat (1977), and Hart to Hart (1979). In 1979, she appeared along with her son Andrew Stevens in The Oregon Trail (1977) episode "Hannah's Girl".
During the 1980s, she continued to work regularly on series including Newhart (1983), The Love Boat (1983), Fantasy Island (1983), Highway to Heaven (1984), Night Court (1984), Murder, She Wrote (1985), Magnum, P.I. (1986), and Father Dowling Mysteries (1987). Stevens appears in 34 episodes of the primetime soap opera Flamingo Road (1981–82), as Lute-Mae Sanders, the former madam of a brothel. 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."
From 1989 to 1990, she had a role on Santa Barbara as Phyllis Blake. Her string of appearances on popular television series continued into the 1990s with The Commish (1993), Burke's Law (1994), Highlander: The Series (1995), Silk Stalkings (1996), and General Hospital (1996, 1999). She also appeared in the critically acclaimed miniseries In Cold Blood (1996).
Additional work
In January 1960, she was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month and was also featured in Playboy pictorials in 1965 and 1968. She was included in Playboys 100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th Century, appearing at number 27. During the 1960s, she was one of the most photographed women in the world.
Speaking about her Playboy features, Stevens told The New York Times, "If you've got ten million people seeing you in a layout like that ... and half of them remember the name 'Stella Stevens', they'll buy tickets for your movies."
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. Stevens played the Oscar Madison character. She directed the feature film, The Ranch (1989) and produced and directed The American Heroine (1979). In 1999, she co-wrote a novel, Razzle Dazzle, about a Memphis-born singer named Johnny Gault.
Personal life
Stevens was married to Noble Herman Stephens from 1954 until their divorce in 1957. Their son Andrew was born in 1955. Following her divorce she changed the spelling of her last name to 'Stevens' and left her son in the custody of her parents while she sought out a successful acting career. In the years following, she and her former husband engaged in a custody battle for their son, with each party accusing the other of kidnapping, before Stevens finally won full custody.
In late 1976, Stevens purchased a ranch in Methow Valley near Carlton, Washington on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains. She also opened an art gallery and bakery in the nearby small town of Twisp, Washington.
In 1983, Stevens began a long-term relationship with rock guitarist Bob Kulick. A little over a year later, he moved into Stevens' Beverly Hills home. In March 2016, Kulick and Stevens sold her longtime Beverly Hills home, and she moved to a long-term Alzheimer's care facility in Los Angeles. Kulick often visited her there until his death on May 28, 2020.
Death
Stevens died of complications from Alzheimer's disease in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, at the age of 84.
Filmography
Films
Say One for Me (1959) as Chorine
The Blue Angel (1959) as Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Li'l Abner (1959) as Appassionata Von Climax
Man-Trap (1961) as Nina Jameson
Too Late Blues (1961) as Jess Polanski
Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) as Robin Gantner
The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) as Dollye Daly
The Nutty Professor (1963) as Stella Purdy
Advance to the Rear (1964) as Martha Lou Williams
Synanon (1965) as Joaney Adamic
The Secret of My Success (1966) as Violet Lawson
The Silencers (1966) as Gail Hendricks
Rage (1966) as Perla
How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life (1968) as Carol Corman
Sol Madrid (1968) as Stacey Woodward
Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968) as Sister George
The Mad Room (1969) as Ellen Hardy
The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970) as Hildy
A Town Called Bastard (1971) as Alvira
Stand Up and Be Counted (1972) as Yvonne Kellerman
Slaughter (1972) as Ann
The Poseidon Adventure (1972) as Linda Rogo
Arnold (1973) as Karen
Las Vegas Lady (1975) as Lucky
Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975) as Bianca Javin / Dragon Lady
Nickelodeon (1976) as Screen Queen
The Manitou (1978) as Amelia Crusoe
Wacko (1982) as Mrs. Doctor Graves
Mister Deathman (1983) as Liz
Ladies Night (1983) as Shelly
Chained Heat (1983) as Captain Taylor
The Longshot (1986) as Nicki Dixon
Monster in the Closet (1986) as Margo
Down the Drain (1990) as Sophia
Mom (1990) as Beverly Hills
The Terror Within II (1991) as Kara
Last Call (1991) as Betty
The Nutt House (1992) as Mrs. Robinson
Exiled in America (1992) as Sonny Moore
South Beach (1992) as Nancy
Little Devils: The Birth (1993) as Mrs. Clara Madison
Eye of the Stranger (1993) as Doc
Hard Drive (1994) as Susan
Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry III (1994, Video) as Frannie Sibley
Molly & Gina (1994) as Mrs. Sweeny
Illicit Dreams (1995) as Cicily
The Granny (1995, Video) as Granny
Body Chemistry 4: Full Exposure (1995, Video) as Fran Sibley
Star Hunter (1995, Video) as Mrs. March
Virtual Combat (1996, Video) as Mary
Invisible Mom (1996, Video) as Mrs. Herbert Pringle
Bikini Hotel (1997) as Gail Regent
Size 'Em Up (2001)
The Long Ride Home (2003) as Fiona Champyon
Blessed (2004) as Betty
Glass Trap (2005) as Joan Highsmith
Hell to Pay (2005) as Mary Potter
Popstar (2005) as Henrietta
Megaconda (2010) as Mary Jane, (final film role)
Television
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1960, Episode: "Craig's Will") as Judy
Johnny Ringo (1960, Episode: "Uncertain Vengeance") as Suzanne Crale
Hawaiian Eye (1960, Episode: "Kakua Woman") as Carol Judd
Bonanza (1960, Episode: "Silent Thunder") as Ann 'Annie' Croft
Riverboat (1960, Episode: "Zigzag") as Lisa Walters
General Electric Theater (1960, Episode: "The Graduation Dress") as Laura Jericho
General Electric Theater (1961, Episode: "The Great Alberti") as May Alberti
Follow the Sun (1961, Episode: "Conspiracy of Silence") as Linda Laurence
Frontier Circus (1962, Episode: "The Balloon Girl") as Katy Cogswell
Ben Casey (1964, 2 episodes) as Jane Hancock
In Broad Daylight (1971, TV Movie) as Elizabeth Chappel
Ghost Story (1972, Episode: "The Dead We Leave Behind") as Joanna Brent
Hec Ramsey (1972, Episode: "Hangman's Wages") as Ivy Turnwright
Climb an Angry Mountain (1972, TV Movie) as Sheila Chilko
Banacek (1973, Episode: "Ten Thousand Dollars a Page") as Jill Hammond
Linda (1973, TV Movie) as Linda Reston
Honky Tonk (1974, TV Movie) as Gold Dust
The Day the Earth Moved (1974, TV Movie) as Kate Barker
Police Story (1975, Episode: "The Losing Game") as Margaret Case
Wonder Woman (1975, TV pilot The New Original Wonder Woman as Marcia
Kiss Me, Kill Me (1976, TV Movie) as Stella Stafford
Wanted: The Sundance Woman (1976, TV Movie) as Lola Wilkins
The Love Boat (1977, TV movie, pilot)
Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging (1977, TV Movie) as Martha McVea
Murder in Peyton Place (1977, TV Movie) as Stella Chernak
The Night They Took Miss Beautiful (1977, TV Movie) as Kate Malloy
The Oregon Trail (1977, Episode: "Hannah's Girl", appears with her son, Andrew Stevens) as Hannah Morgan
The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978, 1 episode)
The Jordan Chance (1978, TV Movie) as Verna Stewart
Cruise Into Terror (1978, TV Movie) as Marilyn Magnesun
Friendships, Secrets and Lies (1979, TV Movie) as Edyth
Hart to Hart (1979, Episode: "Express to Terror") as Dr. Fleming
The French Atlantic Affair (1979), miniseries
Make Me an Offer (1980, TV Movie) as Deidre Price
Flamingo Road (1980–1982, 34 episodes) as Lute-Mae Sanders
Children of Divorce (1980, TV Movie) as Sherry Malik
Twirl (1981, TV Movie) as Carolyn Moore
Matt Houston (1983, Episode: "Whose Party Is It Anyway?") as Clover McKenna
The Love Boat (1983, 3 episodes) as Toni Cooper / Kathy Costello / Leonara Klopman
Women of San Quentin (1983, TV Movie) as Lt. Janet Alexander
Newhart (1983, 2 episodes) as Erica Chase
Fantasy Island (1983, 2 episodes) as Marion Sommers / Maatira
Amazons (1984, TV Movie) as Kathryn Lundquist
No Man's Land (1984, TV Movie) as Nellie Wilder
Hotel (1984, Episode: "Flesh and Blood") as Rita DeLaine
Highway to Heaven (1984, Episode: "Help Wanted: Angel") as Stella
Night Court (1984, Episode: "Harry and the Madam") as Irene Danbury
Murder, She Wrote (1985, Episode: "Funeral at Fifty-Mile") as Sally Mestin
A Masterpiece of Murder (1986, TV Movie) as Della Vance / Deb Potts
Magnum, P.I. (1986, Episode: "Find Me a Rainbow") as Loretta "Lolly" Zachary van der Post
The History of White People in America: Volume II (1986, TV Movie)
Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson (1987, TV Movie) as Mimi Carteret
Adventures Beyond Belief (1987, TV Movie) as Mrs. Loretta Kemble
Tales from the Hollywood Hills: A Table at Ciro's (1987, TV Movie) as Mimi Carteret
Father Dowling Mysteries (1987, "Fatal Confession") as Katherine 'Kate' St. Urban
Man Against the Mob (1988, TV Movie) as Joey Day
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1988, Episode: "Twist") as Georgia Brooks
Jake Spanner, Private Eye (1989, TV Movie) as Sandra Summers
Santa Barbara (1989–1990, 66 episodes) as Phyllis Blake
Dream On (1990, Episode: "Over Your Dead Body") as Lyla Murphy
In the Heat of the Night (1991, Episode: "A Woman Much Admired") as Georgia Farren
Dangerous Curves (1992, Episode: "In the Name of Love") as Muffy Fuller
The Commish (1993, Episode: "Eastbridge Boulevard") as Donna DeVries
Burke's Law (1994, Episode: "Who Killed the Romance?") as Candice Collier
Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 In. Women (1994, TV Movie) as Lawanda
Highlander: The Series (1995, Episode: "Vendetta") as Margaret Lang
Dave's World (1995, Episode: "The Mommies") as Dave's Mother
Subliminal Seduction (1996, TV Movie) as Mrs. Beecham
Renegade (1996, Episode: "Love Hurts") as Amanda Sixkiller
Arli$$ (1996, Episode: "What About the Fans?") as Flora Lansing
Silk Stalkings (1996, Episode: "When She Was Bad") as Mrs. Morton
In Cold Blood (1996, 2 episodes) as Hotel Keeper
General Hospital (1996-1999)
The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997, TV Movie) as Josephine 'Mama Jo' Max
Nash Bridges (1997, Episode: "Deliverance") as Suzie Dupree
The Christmas List (1997, TV Movie) as Natalie Parris
Viper (1998, Episode: "The Getaway") as Lorraine
By Dawn's Early Light (2000, TV Movie) as Eli
Strip Mall (2001, 5 episodes) as Doreen Krudup
Twenty Good Years (2006, Episode: "The Crying Game") as Martha
As director
The American Heroine (1979)
The Ranch (1989)
See also
List of people in Playboy 1960–1969
References
External links
for Stella Stevens
1938 births
2023 deaths
Actresses from Mississippi
Actresses from Memphis, Tennessee
American film actresses
American stage actresses
American television actresses
American women film directors
People from Yazoo City, Mississippi
1960s Playboy Playmates
University of Memphis alumni
Film directors from Tennessee
Film directors from Mississippi
Film producers from Tennessee
20th Century Studios contract players
People from Okanogan County, Washington
Film directors from Washington (state)
American women film producers
Film producers from Washington (state)
New Star of the Year (Actress) Golden Globe winners
Deaths from dementia in California
Deaths from Alzheimer's disease