When movie star Stella Stevens passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's disease in Los Angeles on February 17, 2023, at the age of 84, many of her lifelong fans, myself included, mourned her death and took a moment to remember her iconic roles and films.
A month later, her son, actor, producer, writer, and director Andrew Stevens, was shocked to discover that she was not included in the In Memoriam segment at the 95th Academy Awards ceremony. Although they had been estranged for many years, he found it hard to believe that after dedicating her life to the entertainment industry and being an active member of the Academy, she was omitted from the list of artists who had passed away that year during the broadcast.
In response, he decided to honor her memory by writing and directing a documentary about her life titled “Stella Stevens: The Last Starlet.”
Here’s an excerpt from my podcast with Andrew, in which we discuss his relationship with his mom Stella and how the documentary came to be…
ANDREW STEVENS: “My mother and I ….we had……periods of years that we were estranged and didn't see each other or speak, and that was sort of the roller coaster norm in our relationship. She wasn't easy later in life. And also, when we were on, and sometimes even when we weren't, I knew that she needed work and I put her in about 11 movies of mine and put her to work. She just needed to stay active.
There were just times that we just didn't see eye to eye and we would distance ourselves. And unfortunately, when she passed, we hadn't spoken or seen each other since 2004. So I was watching the Oscars and this year, 2023, and my mother had just passed. Among others such as William Hurt and Paul Sorvino, Robert Blake, I don't know, there was about six or eight actors who had extraordinary careers that were omitted from the in memoriam segment. And Stella was a lifelong Academy member. And it seemed like such an affront and such a slap in the face.
And also, you know, there are guys that, you know, were fourth and fifth tier actors on sitcoms that have a star on the Walk of Fame, and Stella Stevens does not. “
TONY MIROS: “She does not have a star on the Walk of Fame?”
AS: “She does not. So I thought, irrespective of our personal ups and downs, that she had such an extraordinary career, that she deserved to have that highlighted and to be put into the spotlight a bit. And so I tried to do a, and I'm editing now and I still may shoot some interstitials here and there when I see the next cut. But I wrote a script which really honored her as the, if not one of the last starlets in the old Hollywood system.”
If you’re not familiar with Stella Stevens’ work, here are some of her most memorable films that you should check out.
GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! (1962)
This fun musical comedy stars Elvis Presley as a penniless fisherman in Hawaii who loves his life at sea and dreams of owning his own boat. The film features his hit song “Return to Sender,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard pop singles chart. In the film, Stella plays Robin, a childish and insensitive club singer caught in a love triangle between Elvis’s character and a sweet girl named Laurel, played by Laurel Goodwin.
Fun Fact - The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical in 1963 but lost to “The Music Man.” It was also the second of three films Elvis shot on location in Hawaii.
THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963)
This film is a parody of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella, *Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*. It follows the weak-willed scientist Julius Kelp, played by Jerry Lewis, who invents a serum that transforms him into a charismatic yet narcissistic ladies' man. He adopts this new identity as Buddy Love. Stella, his student and love interest, is played by Stella Stevens. Although she dislikes his alter ego, "Buddy Love," she finds herself oddly attracted to him.
Fun Fact - “The Nutty Professor” is often regarded as one of the finest and most memorable films of Jerry Lewis's career.
THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE’S FATHER (1963)
Directed by Vincente Minnelli, this classic MGM romantic comedy stars Glenn Ford as Tom Corbett, a widowed father, and Ronny Howard as his son. In the film, Stella plays Dollye Daly, a would-be beauty queen competing for the title of "Miss Montana." Eddie, Tom's son, encourages his father to date her; however, Dollye falls in love with Norman Jones, portrayed by Jerry Van Dyke, who is a disc jockey and also a friend of Tom's.
Fun fact: The film was later adapted into a television series of the same name, starring Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz, which aired on ABC from 1969 to 1972.
HOW THE SAVE A MARRIAGE AND RUIN YOUR LIFE (1968)
This classic romantic comedy film was directed by Fielder Cook. It stars Dean Martin, Stella Stevens, and the husband-and-wife duo Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. Stella plays Carol Corman, the mistress of her married boss, Harry Hunter, portrayed by Eli Wallach. Harry's freewheeling bachelor best friend, David Sloane, played by Dean Martin, decides to save his friend's marriage by proving that Carol is incapable of being faithful.
Fun fact: The role of Carol was originally intended for Marilyn Monroe, but the project was shelved after her death.
RAGE (1966)
This Mexican-American drama neo-noir thriller film, co-written and directed by Gilberto Gazcón, stars Glenn Ford and Stella Stevens in their final collaboration. Ford plays Dr. Reuben, who lives alone with his dog at a medical clinic in a small Mexican town. An alcoholic, he blames himself for the death of his wife and baby during childbirth. In the film, a supply truck arrives, bringing a group of women to town as "entertainment" for the workers. One of these women, Perla (played by Stella Stevens), is attracted to Reuben, but he shows no interest in her. The following morning, the women leave town, but Reuben discovers Perla asleep on his examination table.
Fun fact: My mother, Gilda Mirós, who was an actress in Mexican films in the 1960s, played one of the “entertainment” women who arrived in the truck with Perla (Stella) to the small Mexican town where Dr. Reuben (Ford) lives. Its so crazy that Andrew and I have this odd connection with our mothers! I love it!
WHERE ANGELS GO….TROUBLE FOLLOWS (1968)
In this sequel to "The Trouble with Angels," the wise and witty Mother Superior (played by Rosalind Russell) of St. Francis Academy for Girls takes a group of nuns, including the modern and progressive Sister George (portrayed by Stella Stevens), along with their spirited students, on a bus trip across America to a peace rally in California.
Fun Fact: The producers initially wanted Hayley Mills to play the now-grown Mary Clancy as Sister George, but she declined the role. This decision led to the casting of Stella, who was 29 at the time, as Sister George. In 1964, Stella had signed a four-year contract with Columbia Pictures, and this film was her last for the studio.
LAS VEGAS LADY (1975)
Directed by Noel Nosseck, this cult crime film features Stella Stevens and Stuart Whitman, along with George DiCenzo, Lynne Moody, Linda Scruggs, Joseph Della Sorte, Hank Robinson, and Karl Lukas. In this heist film, Stella plays a thief who enlists the help of her friends—a trapeze artist and a magician's assistant—to steal $500,000 in cash from a casino.
Fun Fact: The young man who creates a diversion outside the casino entrance is Stella's son, Andrew Stevens. In addition to this film, Andrew appeared in three other movies alongside his mother, including *Down the Drain* (1990), *The Terror Within II* (1990), and *Illicit Dreams* (1994).
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972)
Stella is probably best remembered for her role in Irwin Allen's highly successful disaster film, “The Poseidon Adventure”. The film also starred Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Roddy McDowall, and Shelley Winters. Stevens portrayed Linda Rogo, the "refreshingly outspoken" ex-prostitute wife of Borgnine's character, Detective Mike Rogo.
Fun fact: In a 2006 interview, Stella mentioned that when she first read the script, she could tell by the writing that the actress who played the "fat lady" (Belle) would likely receive an Oscar nomination. She was correct; the role went to Shelley Winters, who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
STELLA STEVENS: THE LAST STARLET
The life, career, and personal struggles of Stella Stevens, one of the last starlets under the male dominated and misogynistic old Hollywood system, are explored, as well as the evolution of the new Hollywood, which coincided with her advocacy for women’s rights and human rights of all races and identities.
“My mother above all else, was a survivor. After her passing, I felt compelled to explore and document her extraordinary, but often under-rated career, from the perspectives of those who loved and admired her. The film also sheds light on her personal struggles, which shaped the very outspoken and complex woman who was Stella Stevens.” - Andrew Stevens
“Stella Stevens: The Last Starlet” premiered on November 13, 2024, at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. It is also set to screen on January 10 at the Saint Augustine Film Festival. Additionally, Andrew has been invited to the Dallas International Film Festival, with many more screenings scheduled to honor his mother, Stella. Hopefully it'll be playing in or around your town/city soon. Keep your eyes open for it!
Some facts are taken from IMDB & Wikipedia.
To listen to my fascinating podcast interview with actor Andrew Stevens on the two latest episodes of my podcast HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED click the links below to listen now!
Episode 91 - HERE
Episode 92 - HERE
