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1-16 of 16
- Actress
- Director
- Producer
The early film career of Stella Stevens could be said to mirror that of Marilyn Monroe. She began by playing a succession of sensuous, blond glamour girls, from naïve virgins and funny coquettes to precocious or briny-tongued floozies. Her early maturity on screen may have reflected her own turbulent private life: she was married at 15, had a child (Andrew Stevens) at 16 and was divorced a year later. At 21, having a child to support and no money, she posed for a celebrated Playboy centerfold. She was Playmate of the Month for January 1960 which did her subsequent movie career no harm whatever. She was voted by Playboy as one of the 100 Sexiest Women of the 20th century and became one of the most photographed stars of the 1960s.
The voluptuous, blue-eyed Stella was born Estelle Caro Eggleston to one of the oldest families in Yazoo City, Mississippi. A myth which had her hailing from the quaintly named area of Hot Coffee was purely an invention by Hollywood publicists. Her father, Thomas Ellet Eggleston, was an insurance salesman, her mother, Estelle (nee Caro), a nurse. The family moved to Memphis when she was four.
During her early childhood, Stella was nicknamed "Bootsie". Precocious and impatient to grow up, she took to watching movies at every opportunity. It became her main passion. Graduating from high school in 1955, she spent two years attending Memphis State University where she was 'discovered' during a production of Bus Stop in the role of aspiring nightclub singer Chérie (famously played by Marilyn in the film version). Borrowing some money, Stella made her way to the bright lights of Los Angeles and was signed by 20th Century Fox in 1959. She made only three films for the studio during a six months spell before her contract was dropped, her debut being a bit part in Frank Tashlin's saccharine comedy-drama Say One for Me (1959).
Her role won her a Golden Globe Award as Most Promising Newcomer. That same year, she was picked up by Paramount and made her first breakthrough on the screen as the vampish Apassionata von Climax in the film version of the hit Broadway musical Li'l Abner (1959), based on Al Capp's comic strip.
She alternated motion pictures with television appearances, displaying a perhaps unexpectedly wide range as an actress in both dramatic and comedic roles. She stood out in films like Too Late Blues (1961) and The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963), both under greatly contrasting directorial styles.
Above all, she saw herself not as a sex icon but as a comedienne. She once said "I want to be remembered for whatever made people laugh the most." Unafraid to do physical comedy in the manner of Lucille Ball she was also often lauded for her comic timing in films like The Silencers (1966) (a James Bond-style spoof, co-starring a sleepy-eyed Dean Martin) and Where Angels Go Trouble Follows! (1968). In the 1970s, her best role was as a warmhearted prostitute in Sam Peckinpah's seminal western The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970). Writer and critic Roger Ebert wrote of her performance "There are few enough actresses who can be funny and feminine at the same time, but she is certainly one of them." Conversely, in the classic disaster epic The Poseidon Adventure (1972), she played a former hooker with a heart closer to tin.
Like many film careers, hers too experienced a fair share of hiccups along the way, often due to typecasting: duds like Slaughter (1972), Stand Up and Be Counted (1972), Las Vegas Lady (1975), The Manitou (1978), and others. However, Stella proved resourceful enough to diversify and go behind the camera, both as producer and director of a feature-length documentary, The American Heroine (1979). She co-authored a novel entitled 'Razzle, Dazzle' (published in 1999), about the rise and fall of a glamorous rock star. She unveiled her own range of women's and men's fragrances, called 'Sexy'.
During the 1980s and 1990s, she concentrated primarily on television and enjoyed lengthy tenures on the glossy soaps Flamingo Road (1980) and Santa Barbara (1984), in addition to many guest appearances in shows as diverse as Police Story (1973), Hotel (1983), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) and In the Heat of the Night (1988). In 1976, she briefly forsook the glamour of Beverly Hills and set up home on a 27-acre ranch on the edge of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State and then proceeded to operate an art gallery and bakery in a nearby town.
By 1983, she had returned to her Beverly Hills home where she lived with her partner (rock guitarist Bob Kulick), until the home was sold in 2016. Afflicted by Alzheimer's disease, Stella Stevens spent her remaining years in an assisted living home in California and passed away in Los Angeles on February 17 2023 at the age of 84.- A veteran actress, Lynn, a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, made her film debut in Shadows (1958) directed by John Cassavetes. She may be best known for her role as "Donna Harris", a licensed practical nurse and girlfriend of Fred Sanford on Sanford and Son (1972), from 1972-77. Hamilton also had a recurring role as "Verdie" on The Waltons (1972), and made numerous appearances on such television sitcoms, soap operas and miniseries, including Dangerous Women (1991), 227 (1985), Generations (1989), Port Charles (1997), Roots: The Next Generations (1979), and The Golden Girls (1985).
- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Lawrence Gordon (Producer) has been one of the entertainment industry's most prolific and successful producers in a career spanning six decades. He has been behind such timeless films as the drama "Field of Dreams," for which Gordon received a Best Picture Oscar nomination; the landmark action film "Die Hard"; and the ultimate buddy picture "48 Hrs.," starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Gordon graduated from Tulane University with a degree in business administration. Moving to Los Angeles in the early 1960s, he went to work as executive assistant to Aaron Spelling at Four Star Television and soon became a writer and associate producer of Spelling shows. He followed with a stint as head of West Coast talent development for ABC Television and later as an executive with Bob Banner Associates. In 1968, he joined Sam Arkoff and Jim Nicholson at American International Pictures (AIP) as story editor, and rose to vice president in charge of development. He then segued to vice president at Screen Gems, the television division of Columbia Pictures, where he helped put together the classic television movie "Brian's Song," as well as the first "novel for television," the adaptation of Leon Uris' QB VII. Accepting an offer to become the first executive in the company's history to head worldwide production, Gordon returned to AIP. His many projects included "Coffy," "Foxy Brown," "Hell's Angels '69," "Wild in the Streets," John Milius' "Dillinger" (which Gordon also executive-produced), and Ralph Bakshi's groundbreaking and controversial animated hit "Heavy Traffic," which was named one of The New York Times' top-10 films of 1973. Gordon then formed Lawrence Gordon Productions and began a long and successful association with director Walter Hill. Among the duo's memorable titles are "Hard Times," starring Charles Bronson; "The Driver," with Ryan O'Neal and Isabelle Adjani; the cult classic "The Warriors"; "48 Hrs.," teaming Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy, in his feature film debut; the rock-and-roll fable "Streets of Fire"; "Brewster's Millions," with Richard Pryor and John Candy; and "Another 48 Hrs.," which reunited the stars from the original. Gordon also produced the comedy hit "The End," starring Burt Reynolds, and collaborated with him again on the box office smash "Hooper." During this period, Gordon also produced the Paul Schrader-penned "Rolling Thunder," and the now-cult movie musical "Xanadu," starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. By 1977, he was housed at Paramount Pictures with an overall producing deal. In 1982, he reunited with his old boss Aaron Spelling to create and executive produce the ABC television series "Matt Houston." In 1984, Gordon became president and chief operating officer of 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw such successful titles as James Cameron's "Aliens"; James L. Brooks' "Broadcast News"; "Commando," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; and "Jewel of the Nile," starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. During his tenure, "The Simpsons" television series was created by Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, as were series by Stephen Bochco and David E. Kelley. After his stint at Fox, in 1986, Gordon produced the critically acclaimed "Lucas," marking the directorial debut of David Seltzer; and "Jumpin' Jack Flash," starring Whoopi Goldberg, which was Penny Marshall's first film as a director. During the 1980s, Gordon also produced for the stage. For Broadway, he produced the 1986 musical "Smile," with music by Tony, Grammy and Oscar winner Marvin Hamlisch and book and lyrics by Tony and Oscar winner Howard Ashman. Off-Broadway, Gordon produced the 1982 revival of Joe Orton's "Entertaining Mr. Sloane," which won the Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play. For the screen, Gordon produced the 1987 summer action hit "Predator," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and, later, its sequel. In 1988, he produced the mega-blockbuster "Die Hard," which introduced Bruce Willis as an action hero and forever changed the action genre. The film went on to spawn three hit sequels, in addition to becoming one of cinema's most successful and imitated franchises. The following year, Gordon produced another seminal hit, "Field of Dreams," starring Kevin Costner under the direction of Phil Alden Robinson. The beloved film earned three Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture, while the title itself and the famous line, "If you build it...," became part of the cultural lexicon. Gordon subsequently produced "Family Business," directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick; the comedy hit "K-9," starring James Belushi; "The Rocketeer," directed by Joe Johnston; and "Lock Up," starring Sylvester Stallone. In 1989, Gordon formed Largo Entertainment with the backing of JVC Entertainment, Inc. of Japan, representing the first major Japanese investment in the entertainment industry. As the company's chairman and chief executive officer, Gordon was responsible for the production of such films as "Point Break," starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves; "Unlawful Entry," starring Kurt Russell, Ray Liotta and Madeleine Stowe; "Used People," starring Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates, Marcia Gay Harden and Marcello Mastroianni; and "Timecop," starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Largo also co-financed and handled the foreign distribution of the acclaimed biopic "Malcolm X," directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in the title role. Gordon left Largo in 1994 in favor of a long-term producing deal with Universal Pictures. There, his first production was the controversial Kevin Costner-starrer "Waterworld," which grossed $300 million worldwide. Other Lawrence Gordon Productions include "The Devil's Own," starring Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt; the critically acclaimed "Boogie Nights," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Heather Graham and Julianne Moore; and "Mystery Men," starring Ben Stiller. In 2001, Gordon produced two pictures that opened at number one at the box office: the summer hit "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," starring Angelina Jolie, and the acclaimed "K-PAX," starring Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. In summer 2003, "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" was released, with Angelina Jolie back as Lara Croft. The next year, Gordon produced the Guillermo del Toro's "Hellboy," based on the popular Mike Mignola comic book series and starring Ron Perlman and Selma Blair. In summer 2008, he scored an even bigger hit with its sequel, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," reuniting the original cast and filmmakers. Gordon's "Watchmen" directed by Zack Snyder ("300") was released in March of 2009 as one of the highest R-rated openings ever. Gordon is producing a documentary for Netflix on the legendary basketball player Bill Russell. He is also executive producer on a television adaptation of "Field Of Dreams" for Peacock, and executive produced the "Predator" spinoff "Prey" on Hulu. Gordon served for many years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as well as the Board of the American Film Institute. He is a recipient of the ShoWest Lifetime Achievement Award, the PGA's prestigious David O. Selznick Lifetime Achievement Award, Tulane University's Distinguished Alumni Award, and most recently the Mississippi Governor's Arts Award.- Actress
- Make-Up Department
- Stunts
Tall (5'9"), gorgeous, and slender green-eyed blonde Blake Pickett was born on November 14 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Blake was a gymnast for twelve years. At age seventeen Pickett left Mississippi to pursue a modeling career. During this time Blake lived in such places as Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Nashville, Tennessee (while living in Nasville she became the first game show hostess for the Nashville Network), Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida as well as worked as a model in both Greece and Germany. Pickett acted in her first movie in 1991. Besides acting and modeling, Blake is also a stunt woman, a certified scuba diver, and an accomplished equestrian. Pickett lives in Venice, California, where she works as a full-fledged photographer.- Elsie Holmes was born on 24 March 1921 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. She was an actress, known for The Loretta Young Show (1953), Rhubarb (1951) and Francis Joins the WACS (1954). She was married to James Hobson. She died on 11 July 2001 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Composer
- Music Department
Michael Henderson was born on 7 July 1951 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. He was a composer, known for Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002), Kenny Lattimore: You Are My Starship (2008) and Unsung (2008). He was married to Adelia Thompson.. He died on 19 June 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.- Writer
- Producer
A small town Southern lawyer and municipal judge, Harris Dickson was also a prolific writer of novels, short stories and newspaper and magazine articles; his work appeared in many early twentieth century periodicals such as Collier's, the Saturday Evening Post, Liberty, and the Century Magazine. He was best known for his stories about "Old Reliable," an African-American native of Dickson's home town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, who lived during the Reconstruction era (1865-1876). These stories were collected into book form, and some eventually were adapted for film.- Fletcher Cox was born on 13 December 1990 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA.
- Haley Barbour was born on 22 October 1947 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. He has been married to Marsha Dickson since December 1971. They have two children.
- Willie Brown was born on 2 December 1940 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. He was married to Yvonne. He died on 21 October 2019 in Tracy, California, USA.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Josephine Armstead, born in Yazzoo City, Mississippi, is a singer, songwriter and actress from 1961 to 1990. Often known as "Joshie" Jo Armstead. After being introduced to the blues music by her grandfather, "Joshie" began singing in juke joints and clubs as a teenager. With Bobby Blue Bland and Little Melvin. In 1961 she formed the Ikettes for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. In 1962 she moved to New York City recording under the name, Dina Johnson. Later teaming with Ashford & Simpson exploring her songwriting skills. "Let's Go Get Stoned" and "I Don't Need No Doctor" were two of their hits. In 1967 "Joshie" moved to Chicago with her husband, record producer Mel Collins. Together they formed Giant Productions. Becoming a major part of what would become the Northern Soul. Divorced she returned to NYC performing in the Broadway play "Don't Play Us Cheap" (1972) by Melvin Van Peebles, recording for the Gospel Truth label (Stax). Later in life she tried being a fashion designer as well as a boxing promotor.- Transportation Department
- Actor
Son of a railroad engineer, his first job, at the age of 16, was as a "snake" (switchman) on the Illinois Central Railroad. Early in WWII, before he was old enough to join up, he worked as a cowboy. After joining at 17, he became a tail-gunner in the US Army Air Corps. After the war, he earned his college degree and went on to a varied career as an opera singer, rancher, a show horse judge, a radio personality, an electronics firm executive, a print model, a Kentucky colonel, owner of a publicity consulting firm, and a sheriff's deputy in Cook County, Illinois. He was married three times and had two daughters with his second wife.
Although fit and athletic into his 70s, he died as a result of illnesses brought on by a 55-year smoking habit.- Ben Williams was born on 1 September 1954 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. He died on 18 May 2020 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
- Mike Espy was born on 30 November 1953 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA.
- Kate L. McLaurin was born in 1885 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. She was a writer, known for Always Goodbye (1931), Whispering Wires (1926) and The Eyes of Julia Deep (1918). She was married to Willard Robertson and Frederic Calvin (manager). She died on 1 March 1933 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- H.H. Brookins was born on 8 June 1925 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. He died on 22 May 2012 in Los Angeles, California, USA.