Connie Stevens had a wildly successful entertainment career in the 1950s through 80s. Best known for acting in films like Grease 2 and TV shows like Hawaiian Eye, Stevens was also a popular singer and later directed movies as well. Though she’s out of the spotlight now, her fans still wonder – where is Connie Stevens today? Read now to look back at her lengthy career and updates on her life in 2023.
Connie Stevens’ Early Life and Career Beginnings
Connie Stevens was born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia in Brooklyn in 1938. She had a difficult childhood, witnessing a murder at age 12 and being sent away to live in Missouri. Stevens started pursuing acting at age 15 in LA.
Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Cricket on Hawaiian Eye from 1959-1963. She quickly became famous as a teen idol actress, starring in movies like Susan Slade and Palm Springs Weekend.
Concurrent with her acting career, Stevens also released popular music in the 1950s and 60s. Her single “Sixteen Reasons” reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
What Major Films and TV Shows Has Connie Stevens Appeared In?
Some highlights of Connie Stevens’ lengthy acting career include:
- Hawaiian Eye – her big break as Cricket from 1959-1963
- Films like Parrish, Susan Slade, Palm Springs Weekend – teen movies in the early 60s
- Wendy and Me – 1964-65 sitcom with George Burns
- Scorchy – 1976 crime drama where she had a starring role
- Grease 2 – played Miss Mason in the 1982 musical sequel
- The Love Boat, Fantasy Island – guest appearances in hit 80s TV shows
- Tapeheads – 1988 comedy with Tim Robbins and John Cusack
- 8 Simple Rules – guest spot on the sitcom in early 2000s
Stevens has over 140 acting credits, primarily on television. She worked steadily as an actress for decades after getting her start as a star in the late 50s and early 60s.
Connie Stevens as a Singer and Live Performer
In addition to acting, Connie Stevens released several albums and singles over her career. Some of her popular songs included:
- “Sixteen Reasons” – her biggest hit, peaked at #3 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1960
- “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)” – duet with Edd Byrnes that reached #4 in 1959
- “Too Young to Go Steady” – a minor single that peaked at #71 in 1960
Starting in the late 60s, Stevens also became known for her live shows performing in nightclubs and Vegas venues. Critics praised her dynamic abilities as a live singer and entertainer. She was able to sustain a side career doing live concerts even when her acting roles slowed down.
How Did Connie Stevens Transition to Directing?
Later in her career, Connie Stevens expanded into directing films. She directed several projects including:
- A Healing – a 1997 documentary about Vietnam war nurses that won a film festival award
- Saving Grace B. Jones – a 2009 feature film drama that she also produced and wrote
Stevens directed Saving Grace B. Jones at age 70, showing her creative talents extended beyond just acting. The film was based in part on her difficult childhood memories.
While not a prolific director, these projects showed Stevens could successfully transition behind the camera after many years as an actress.
What is Connie Stevens Doing Now in 2023?
Connie Stevens turned 85 years old in August 2023. Though she has dramatically scaled back her acting career in recent years, she has not officially retired either.
Some highlights about what Stevens is up to now:
- Occasional acting roles – she appeared in the 2016 film Search Engines with her daughter Joely Fisher
- Spending time with family – Stevens has 8 grandchildren from her 2 daughters that she enjoys time with
- Recovering from a stroke – Stevens suffered a stroke in 2016 but has said she is recovering well
- Staying active – she has talked about still exercising regularly by swimming
- Out of the spotlight – while not retired, Stevens lives a quiet life focused on family rather than celebrity projects
While no longer active like her heyday in the 60s-80s, Connie Stevens is enjoying an active retirement and time with family at age 85. Fans appreciate the updates showing she is still doing well even if out of the public eye.
Connie Stevens’ Relationship and Family Background
Stevens has been married twice, both brief marriages in her 20s – to James Stacy and Eddie Fisher. She has 2 daughters, Joely and Tricia Fisher, from her marriage to Eddie Fisher.
Connie is also grandmother to 4 grandchildren. She has said her family is the most important thing to her now at this stage of life.
Stevens had a difficult childhood with her parents divorcing and family instability. But she has prioritized family both with her daughters and later grandchildren.
Connie Stevens Net Worth
Estimates of Connie Stevens’ net worth range from $30-$50 million. Her net worth can be attributed to:
- Decades of steady acting roles from the late 50s through the 80s
- Record sales from her popular singles like “Sixteen Reasons”
- Live performance income from her nightclub shows and Vegas performances
- Investments and business ventures like her skincare line Forever Spring
- Residuals and royalties from projects like Hawaiian Eye and Grease 2
While she lives out of the spotlight now, Stevens amassed substantial wealth at the peak of her career as an entertainer. Her net worth likely allows her to spend her later years in comfort.
Legacy and Impact of Connie Stevens on Hollywood
While her fame peaked decades ago, Connie Stevens left an impact through:
- Paving the way for future teen idols on shows like Hawaiian Eye
- Transitioning from actress to director later in her career
- Showing singing ability on par with acting talent
- Being a s** symbol that broke constraints of the 50s era
- Balancing a lengthy career with a family – two daughters who also became actresses
Stevens proved that a teenage star could evolve into a well-rounded entertainer. From acting to singing to directing and producing, she was a multi-talented force in Hollywood for over 60 years and counting.
In Conclusion – Connie Stevens Had Lasting Impact and Success
Connie Stevens rose to fame as an actress in the late 1950s and sustained it for decades after. At the same time, she recorded popular music and gave memorable live performances.
While she lives a quieter life now, Stevens paved the way for many future versatile entertainers. Having successfully transitioned from acting to directing as well, her career is all the more remarkable for its longevity.
Now 85, fans are happy to see Connie Stevens living healthily and happily even if out of the public eye. She serves as an inspiration both for her talent and ability to find fulfillment in family. Connie Stevens remains a treasured star who shined bright across multiple facets of entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where is Connie Stevens living now?
Connie Stevens is now 85 years old and living a quiet life out of the public spotlight. She resides primarily in California to be near her daughters and grandchildren.
2. What was Connie Stevens’ most famous role?
Stevens’ breakout role was casting the role of Cricket Blake on the TV series Hawaiian Eye from 1959-1963. This role made her a huge teen idol star in the early 1960s.
3. What were some of Connie Stevens’ hit songs?
Some of Stevens’ biggest musical hits were “Sixteen Reasons” which reached #3 on the charts in 1960 and “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)” which hit #4 in 1959.
4. How many times was Connie Stevens married?
Stevens was married twice – first to actor James Stacy from 1963-1966 and then to singer Eddie Fisher from 1967-1969. Both marriages ended in divorce.
5. Does Connie Stevens have children?
Yes, Stevens has two daughters – Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher – from her marriage to Eddie Fisher. She now also has four grandchildren.
6. Did Connie Stevens have a difficult childhood?
Yes, Stevens had family instability as a child. Her parents divorced and she moved frequently, including living with her grandmother who then passed away when Stevens was eight years old. She also witnessed a murder at age twelve.
7. Is Connie Stevens still alive?
Yes, Connie Stevens is still alive today at 85 years old. Though she has been retired from acting and singing for many years now, there have been no reports of Stevens passing away. She leads a quiet, private life focused on family but occasionally appears in an acting role, like the 2016 movie Search Engines with her daughter Joely Fisher.
In 2016, Stevens survived a stroke but has said she is recovering well. While she stays out of the spotlight now, fans are happy to know the beloved actress and singer is still with us in her 80s, living a healthy retirement.