Matinee Classics - Connie Stevens Biography & Filmography

Connie Stevens ACTOR

CONNIE STEVENS BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Connie Stevens was born on August 8th, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York with the birth name Concetta Rosalie Anna Ingolia. Her parents who both worked as jazz musicians soon filed for divorce and she was raised by her grandparents being sent to study at a Catholic boarding school.

From a young age she developed an interest in singing and formed a vocal group called, "The Foremost" with her and three young men. She later relocated to Hollywood and formed another singing group known as, "The Three Debs".

She had a couple small roles on such films as, "Young and Dangerous" (1957), "Eighteen and Anxious" (1957), 'The Party Crashers" (1958) and "Dragstrip Riot" (1958) before she was cast in her first starring role in, "Rock-a-Bye Baby" (1958).

Now Hollywood had really began to take notice of her and Warner Brother signed a contract with her. Soon she was appearing on, "Hawaiian Eye" (1959) starring Robert Conrad followed by roles in such features as, "Susan Slade" (1961), "Parrish" (1961) starring Troy Donahue and Dean Jagger, "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963) and "Two on a Guillotine" (1965).

Along with her film career she was also sharing her vocal talents with her fans recording such songs as, "Blame it On My Youth", "Looking for a Boy", "Sixteen Reasons", and "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb" referring to one of the stars, Edd Brynes, of the hit TV series "77 Sunset Strip. She also used her singing voice in commercials and appeared live in a number of nightclubs. She made quite a name for herself in Las Vegas and also performed on Broadway in such productions as, "The Star-Spangled Girl".

As her career progressed she was seen in films such as, "Grease 2" (1982), "Back to the Beach" (1987), "Love is All There is" (1996) and "Double Duty" (2009). Along with her singing, stage and film work she also appeared on a variety of television series throughout her career in the industry such as, "Wendy and Me" starring with George Burns, "Murder, She Wrote", "The Love Boat", "Baywatch", "Burke's Law", "Maverick", "Ellen", "Clueless", "Three Sisters", "Hotel" and "Fantasy Island".

After her final film appearance in 2009, she began to embark on a new business venture doing infomercials for a skin care line and make up line, Forever Spring. She has made a very successful career

She has married twice throughout her lifetime, first to James Stacy in 1963 however by 1966 this marriage came to an end. She then married Eddie Fisher in 1967 and they had two children before they divorced in 1969. She has not re-married again and owns homes in Beverly Hills, Palm Springs and New York City.

Along with her already busy personal life and professional life she makes time to be involved with a number of charitable causes such as founding the Windfeather project which awards scholarships to Native Americans. Connie is also a supporter of Cancergroup.com.

Connie has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Palm Springs Walk of Stars and the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto, Canada.