‘General Hospital’ (GH) star, Stella Stevens, who is popularly remembered for her roles in “The Nutty Professor” and “Girls! Girls! Girls!” with Elvis, has passed away at 84. Stella’s son, actor and producer Andrew Stevens, shared with Variety that his mother had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Turner Classic Movies posted a tribute to the late actress on Twitter: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of actress, director and activist Stella Stevens,” the statement reads. “More than just a blonde bombshell, the effervescent star held her own in a variety of roles on the big and small screen.” TCM called Stevens a “screen siren” from the early 1960s.
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Star, Stella Stevens Passes Away at 84
During her career years, Stella played in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” in 1963 and “The Nutty Professor” in 1964. She also starred in “The Ballad of Cable Hogue” in 1970 and “The Poseidon Adventure” in 1972. While a lot of people don’t necessarily recall her soap opera roles, soap opera fans will remember her for her appearance on Daytime’s Santa Barbara and ‘General Hospital’, and also the steamy primetime sudser Flamingo Road. On General Hospital, Stella played the role of Jake — owner of a popular watering hole by the same name, which was renamed as The Floating Rib.
Stella Stevens’ big acting break happened after she starred in a Memphis State University production of the play Bus Stop, which was reviewed by a local paper. In 1959, she made her film debut when she starred in the 1959 musical Say One For Me, alongside Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds. Stella landed another role that year – in the musical Li’l Abner. Stella won Golden Globe’s New Star of the Year Award in 1960.
That same year, she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures and became a Playboy Playmate of the Month. She became even more popular after she reluctantly became Elvis Presley’s co-star in the 1962 movie Girls! Girls! Girls!. Stella also featured in The Ballad of Cable Hogue, Slaughter, The Silencers, Wanted: The Sundance Woman, Flamingo Road, Night Court, Highlander, and Magnum, P.I.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TlkJichar4
