By James Radford
Stella Stevens, the beautiful and talented American
actress, who enjoyed a long career, passed away on February 17. She was 84.
Stella was my friend.
We became friends in early 2000 when I co-hosted a
benefit screening of The Poseidon Adventure on board the Queen Mary ocean liner
in Long Beach, CA. Stella was gorgeous and wonderful during the question and
answer portion of the evening. Stella loved her fans, and she sparkled on stage
between Shelley Winters and Pamela Sue Martin. Over the years, a group of
mutual friends would have a potluck dinner and show Stella’s films on a 16mm projector.
Halfway through the film, we would have desert. Stella told fascinating stories
about the films we saw and how they were made. She had a great sense of humor,
and the evening was always filled with laughter.
Stella loved animals, especially her cats and her horses.
She had an outdoor spirit, but she could easily dress up and look every inch a
movie star. Somewhere I read that Stella was one of the most photographed women
on earth in the 1960s. Stella was extremely talented and left behind a large
body of work. She was requested to be in films by some of the major male actors
and directors in the business.
Stella was very kind to me. She invited me to her home,
she had lunch with me in Beverly Hills, and she had dinner at my home many
times. She was gracious to everyone. I shared holidays with Stella and her
partner, Bob, on several occasions. Laughter and friendship is what I think of
when I think of Stella.
Rest in peace.
(James Radford is the author of "Adventures on the
Queen Mary".)