|
Exclusive
Interview with Stella Stevens
Stella Stevens |
In
the top 100 "Sexiest Women of the Last Century", she has the razzle
dazzle exclusive to that fraternity of studio babes that made
it to the big screen. Director Sam Peckinpah called her "One of
the Greats." Director Henry Hathaway said of her, "Stella Stevens
was born to be in movies…and drive men crazy!" And she did! With
Classics like "The Poseidon Adventure" and "The Nutty Professor"
with Jerry Lewis under her belt, she has gone down in movie history
as one of the most beautiful women of her time, and one of the
best in her business. By the way, you remember all those underwater
stunts in "The Poseidon Adventure"? Stella did them all herself.
But Stella Stevens is so much more than just a star! She has the
face of an angel, the body of a goddess, and the shotgun enthusiasm
for life that makes you want to get up, get out, and make all
your dreams come true!
Born in the "Year of the Tiger", Stella was a mover and shaker
before it was in vogue for women to be out there and making it
on their own. Today, she wants to inspire women to do what they
believe in including accomplishing top-notch non-traditional jobs.
At 61, you'd think Stella would be kickin' back, living on her
past accolades, but you'd be wrong! Her book "Razzle Dazzle" is
out. It's a sexy romp through the dazzling decades of the sixties,
seventies, and eighties. She still has a recurring role on TV's
"General Hospital" playing the owner of Jake's Bar and Nightclub,
and she's putting together her autobiography beginning from the
womb in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Now she wants to write and direct
screenplays. She has directed two films; "The American Heroine"
and "The Ranch" in which son Andrew starred. She's also on the
Board of Directors of "The Hollywood Arts Council." Grass doesn't
grow under the feet of woman on the move.
But life was not always a honey pot for this lovely lady, and
she tells it like it is. Married at 15, Baby at 17, Divorced at
17, Stella Stevens learned from necessity to be strong. Getting
out of that abusive marriage, she counsels women to stand up and
get out. It's not easy, but it is a must! After dropping our of
High School in 10th grade, she went back to night school to get
her Diploma, then on to Memphis State University. And she always
puts a positive spin on things as she said, "It was tough, but
not as tough as Hollywood."
Speaking of Hollywood, I couldn't resist asking her about some
of those leading men in her movie life. What a list…Gene Hackman,
Tom Selleck, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Glenn Ford, Jason Robards,
and on and on. Stella was discovered modeling in the tea room
of Goldsmith's Department Store in Memphis, Tennessee, and ended
up under contract to Fox, then Columbia, then Paramount Studio
to be groomed for stardom. Would you believe that's where she
met the King himself, Elvis Presley, although they already had
a lot in common. Both were born in Mississippi, then lived and
went to school in Memphis. At Paramount, Stella did "Girls Girls
Girls" with Elvis. And what she told me about this super star
sure surprised me. She felt Elvis was a simply country boy, shy
and deep down afraid, and needed the security of his guys hangin'
around. When he went on stage to sing "Return to Sender", he told
her he had to put down a belt or two to sing in front of sixty
extras. "Maybe", she speculated, "if it wasn't alcohol, he turned
to pills to calm down and feel better."
But
did she fall for any of these hunks who made movie love to her?
She was in awe of Bing Crosby. It was her first film. She worked
with the likes of Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis because she sought
out comedy roles. Why? She lied to smile. She kind of fell swoony
to Gregory Peck, but she confided he almost knocked out her teeth
when he pulled her to him. Some kind of tough love, I guess. However,
the best smootcher around was Dean Martin. "You know how beautiful
he sang," she told me in mellow tones. "When he kissed me, he
hummed a little I my ear. It melted your heart. No doubt gotta'
be that smoldering hot Italian blood. I was beginning to get a
little flushed myself, so I quickly moved on, if you know what
I mean?
No wonder all these guys fell for this beauty. What a body beautiful
she still has today. But how does she do it? I was hoping she'd
say good genes, then I'd have an excuse not to work out. Wrong!
She's a health and fitness nut! She diets some. Eats little red
meat. She eats good food as fuel for life. Darn. Guess cup cakes
are out of the question. She doesn't smoke either. Her Motto,
"Feed your body well. It will serve you well." OH WELL!!!
She does exercise in a variety of ways. She loves to garden, loves
to ride her American Quarter Horses, plays Tennis, Skates, and
Skis. I'm tired already. But she attributes that gorgeous bod
to her workout on a Pilates bed, a contraption created by a Joseph
Pilates. The some 520 exercises on this bed increases strength
and balance. Hey, if I can look like this beauty, I'll stretch
whatever!
How about diet supplements? Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc at night
because they are better absorbed. "But let's not get excessive,"
Stella told me. She eats lots of raw foods with Vitamin C. Did
you know tomatoes have more Vitamin C than orange juice? Guess
that rules out the Golden Arches for me too.
I was most impressed, however, with Stella's vitality, zest for
life, and positive attitude. "Years ago," she reminisced, "I told
my boyfriend, it takes just as much time to feel bad and sad as
it does to feel good and positive. Time is our most valuable asset."
Hopefully, we'll all be blessed with the richness of time, I thought
to myself, so we can be all we dream to be.
Stella Stevens is made of the right stuff, for sure! When I asked
her about the best time in her life, without hesitation she shot
back, "Tomorrow!" Then she took off like a bullet, "I'm looking
forward to it, because if it's this good for me now, and it's
gotten better and better each decade, then tomorrow and tomorrow
and tomorrow…come on I'm ready!!!
Course we all know this sweet lady has bunches of years to come.
But when she joins that big production company in the sky, I was
curious how she wants to be remembered? I thought she would have
a glib line or two, but instead, her eyes twinkled as she almost
whispered in reverence, "SMILING!" Give me a break! You worked
hard all your life! You have credits that could fill volumes,
and you wish to be remembered smiling?! That's when she set me
straight! "Being a prominent actor admired by people, we must
share that joy with the people who admire us. Let them know it
pleases me that they care. The World can be a very horrible place
for anybody at anytime, and we have to get through those bad times.
I would rather be remembered for all my wonderful times."
I can only speak for myself here. After having met this dynamic
woman face to face, I can honestly say that what you see is what
you get. She's not schmoozin' for the public. What she says comes
from her inner soul, and it can't lie for it will die if it does.
Stella Stevens is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever
met. Her eyes genuinely shine when she speaks. She is totally
absorbed by what you are saying and thinking. It has been said
that the eyes are the windows to the soul. For Stella Stevens,
it a huge picture window of delicate crystal that is willing to
take the chance of shattering in order to add joy to the life
of others. We all seek accolades for our life's work, but can
you think of a better way to be remembered? I can. SMILING !!!
Til next time on STARGATE, STAY WELL AND BE WISE !!!
Discuss
this article with others right now at
The Salon!
|
100%
Safe & Secure
