The film star has faced numerous hardships, some of which left her unable to walk. Despite these challenges, she forged ahead with a thriving entertainment career, making her directorial debut at 70.
Born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingoglia, the celebrity grew up in a lively Italian household. With a heritage she believes includes Iroquois roots, she adopted her father’s stage name and pursued singing before landing extra roles in films.
The actress pictured on January 1, 1958 | Source: Getty Images
Her breakthrough came when Jerry Lewis cast her in “Rock-a-Bye Baby” (1958), propelling her to stardom with roles in “77 Sunset Strip” and “Hawaiian Eye.”
Marilyn Maxwell, Jerry Lewis, and the actress on the set of “Rock-a-Bye Baby,” in 1958 | Source: Getty Images
The actress pictured during a portrait session on December 1, 1961, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
The Hollywood star resisted the pressures of showbiz, “The business process here is very tricky… You have to go to the right parties, play the game. Which I refused to do.”
The singer photographed on January 1, 1962 | Source: Getty Images
The actress and James Stacy after their wedding on October 12, 1963, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Seeking love once more, she wed singer Eddie Fisher in 1967, becoming the third of his five wives. However, their union was short-lived due to Fisher’s struggles with substance abuse and infidelity, leading to their divorce in 1969.
The actress and Eddie Fisher pictured in a car on February 4, 1967, in the United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images
Tricia and Joely Fisher photographed with the singer at an event on January 1, 1970 | Source: Getty Images
After her second marriage ended, the “Susan Slade” star embraced life as a single mother. She and her kids’ unconventional lifestyle brought them closer together.
A close-up of the celebrity on January 1, 1970, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
The movie star on the set of “The Sex Symbol,” 1974 | Source: Getty Images
Throughout the siblings’ childhood, their parent was a steadfast source of love and guidance. “She has reiterated to me over the years what an incredible human being I am and how proud she is of me and what a great mother I am,” Joely further divulged. “She is an affectionate, generous, incandescent spirit of a woman.”
The actress on the set of “Harry’s Battles,” 1981 | Source: Getty Images
The actress on the set of “The Love Boat” 1987 | Source: Getty Images
Yet even the closest families face moments of heartache. Sadly, the family experienced a devastating loss in 1996 when her mother’s older brother, Charles Thomas Ingolia, died of a heart attack in Las Vegas at 63.
The singer at the Los Angeles premiere of “Love Is All There Is,” 1997 | Source: Getty Images
The actress at the 49th Emmy Award nominations on September 10, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
Two years after his death, challenges continued to arise for his sibling. In 1998, actress-singer Connie Stevens faced another significant hurdle when a Los Angeles Superior Court jury ruled that she owed her former manager, Norton Styne, $4.3 million.
Connie Stevens during 50th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards on August 28, 1998, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie Stevens during John Wayne Cancer Institute Odyssey Ball on April 10, 1999, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie maintained that she created the concept with a friend and that Styne’s role was limited to arranging meetings with HSN executives. Though she admitted to sending him checks, she described them as “part business and part gifts.”
Connie Stevens at the Hollywood Christmas Parade on November 28, 1999, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie Stevens during A Family Celebration Second Annual Gala on April 1, 2001, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Connie’s attorney, Steve Schiffres, anticipated an appeal, maintaining there was no arrangement or contract. He characterized his client as disappointed and stunned by the decision.
Connie Stevens attends the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 28, 2007, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie Stevens attends “Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook” Los Angeles premiere party on December 4, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite these obstacles, her determination remained unshaken. In 2012, the film she conceived, co-wrote, produced, and directed — “Saving Grace B. Jones” — debuted in select cities.
Connie Stevens attends the Follow The Stars/Adopt A Pet 2013 Rose Parade Float Unveiling on December 6, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie Stevens attends the Cops 4 Causes 2nd annual “Heroes Helping Heroes” benefit concert on September 11, 2013, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Yet even with her remarkable accomplishments, life presented another devastating setback. In 2016, she suffered a massive stroke and later recalled the ordeal, “I was in the hospital about 16 days, and I couldn’t walk, couldn’t move my whole left side.”
Connie Stevens attends The Disabled Veteran Business Alliance’s Annual Salute To Veterans Day Breakfast on November 11, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie Stevens attends The Lettermen honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 24, 2020, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Connie’s strength and resilience continue to shine through. In May 2023, Joely shared heartfelt family photos of herself, her mother, and her sister. The trio happily posed together, with the veteran actress beaming between her daughters. Her child captioned the post, “Scenes from a day that included mothers.”
Connie Stevens’ enduring charm and talent continue to captivate fans across generations, as their heartfelt words reflect the lasting impact she’s made. Through triumphs and challenges, she remains an icon of grace, resilience, and timeless beauty.
