She was born Concetta Rosalieann Ingoglia in Brooklyn New York on
August 8, 1938, daughter of a musician who led a band under the name Tony Stevens.
Going into show business as a child star, she took the American form of her
Italian name, Connie and her dad's last stage name and went on from there
as a singer, dancer, model and actress who had bit parts in low budget
teen exploitation movies in the late 50's. It wasn't until Jerry Lewis
put her on his "Rock-A-Bue Baby" movie that Connie Stevens got attention
from Warner Brothers. She skyrocketed to being a screen idol playing bouncy nightclub thrush Cricket Blake
on the TV detective series "Hawaiian Eye." Of course, you remember her duet with co-star
Edd Byrnes whom she pled, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb," her second top 10 hit.
BE THE GINCHIEST!
Warner Brothers suspended Stevens in 1962 over several bones of contention, one of which was her snit-fit after
being denied a chance to audition for the lead in the studio's classic, "My Fair Lady."
She patched up her differences with Warners long enough to play a Gracie Allen clone in the George Burns-produced
sitcom "Wendy and Me" in 1964. The networks weren't interested.
After her flurry of fame in the 1960s, Stevens kept busy with nightclub appearances and summer theater
productions. She appeared in the Broadway production of
"The Star Spangled Girl", guested in such all-star movie efforts as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
and "Grease 2." Connie accepted a regular role on the 1986 syndicated TV series "Rowdies,"
not exactly a ratings grabber.
Among Connie Stevens' hubbies were James Stacy, Eddie Fisher
(who married every female star in creation; Connie was in good
company with Liz Taylor), last but not least, Hal Erickson. Connie pops up on
the CW programs such as "Gossip Girl" and the new "Melrose Place." Like Betty White,
she's past seventy and still going strong. Hey, when you got it, you got it!
DISCUSS YOUR FAVORITE OLDIES, LIKE, HERE!
Post comments about your favorite Golden Age TV Shows and the stars
and the founding fathers of Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues
Read other comments and join the talkfest in the free chat room
Website (c)2002-2012 Carlson International USA
