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Her
international reputation has made its mark in show
business history, having performed for 4 U.S. Presidents at the White House
and the Kennedy Center, and her dedication overseas for the U.S. Military
in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf as one of Veterans Across America's all
time favorites. Connie continues to headline in Las Vegas and continues
to perform in live concerts in Atlantic City, New York, Los Angeles, and
every other major concert venue worldwide.
Her musical artistry began when she first sang in a
group called The Three Debs at age 16. She then went on to record as a solo
artist on the Warner Brothers label. Connie was the first artist signed
on the newly formed Warner Brothers Records. She recorded two mega-hits
in the early sixties, "Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)", a duet
with Ed, "Kookie" Burns, on of the stars of the TV series "77
Sunset Strip", and the number one record in the country in 1961, "Sixteen
Reasons".
Connie recently recorded
a beautiful Christmas Album, "Tradition"... A Family at Christmas,
with her daughters, Joely and Tricia Leigh Fisher, artists in their own
right. Joely Fisher, co-star of the popular "Ellen" television
series for ABC and the new star of the recently released "Inspector
Gadget" (co-staring Matthew Broderick), and Tricia Leigh Fisher, whom
you have seen as Heidi Fleiss for CBS or Monica Lewinsky in "Starr
Struck".
Every
Star has an original claim to fame, and though she has since become familiar
to millions, it was her endearing and classic role as "Cricket Blake"
in the hit series "Hawaiian Eye" that made Connie Stevens a
household name. Becoming one of America's teen idols of the 60's and one
of the most popular role models for teenage girls across the globe. Connie,
to this day, is amazed at the international craze that her character and
image created making her a recognizable smile around the world.
Connie's career as an actress began with roles in films like "Eighteen
and Anxious", starring Jim Backus; "Young and Dangerous",
"Party Crashers" and introduced by Jerry Lewis in Frank Tashlin's
Paramount musical film "Rock-a-Bye Baby". Eventually these roles
led to "Cricket Blake" in the TV series "Hawaiian Eye",
which ran on ABC for four years.
In the early 1960's, Connie appeared with heartthrob Troy Donahue in a
series of films which include "Parish" and "Palm Springs
Weekend". Connie later appeared in "Two on a Guillotine",
"The Grissom Gang" and "Never Too Late". She then
returned to the 1950's with a role in "Grease 2" starring Maxwell
Caulfield and Michelle Pfieffer. Some of Connie's other films include
"Back to the Beach", with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon,
and "Tapeheads", starring Tim Robins and John Cusack. Most recently,
she was in "James Dean Race with Destiny" and soon to be released
"Mickey Stern".
Connie has always
maintained a steady line of various roles on television, receiving critical
acclaim for her controversial role and performance in the ABC-TV Movie
of the Week, "The Sex Symbol". Connie showed a powerful reserve
of dramatic talents that gave her thinly disguised portrayal of Marilyn
Monroe a life of its own.
Connie
starred opposite George Burns in the popular TV series, "Wendy and
Me". She also starred in "Starting from Scratch", "Scruples",
"Bring me the Head of Dobie Gillis", "Murder She Wrote"
and the most popular guest on "The Love Boat". She can be seen
soon on "Titus."
She
was, of course, Neil Simon's "Star Spangled Girl" on Broadway,
co-starring Anthony Perkins and Dick Benjamin. She has also been one of
America's premiere live performers, headlining in Las Vegas for over 15
years and the larger theater venues all over the United States.
Most recently, Connie Stevens, the savvy entrepreneur, has proven herself
in the business arena as well, creating Forever Spring, a cosmetic empire
that has spawned over 300 popular products that include skin care, make
up, and hair care items, fragrances, among many others. Stevens' hands-on
approach to the business allows her to give her signature touch to every
product.
As
a natural offshoot of this phenomenal success, Stevens has recently designed
and opened the Garden Sanctuary, an executive day spa and boutique in
Los Angeles, founded on the principles that catapulted her cosmetics empire
into the major leagues. Offering a full array of services and luxurious
treatments, the spa will also offer clients a spa menu, an elegant retail
boutique, and other amenities in an elegant, comfortable, private garden-like
environment.
Connie
Stevens has experienced phenomenal success in the business arena, having
created one of the most talked about and popular cosmetic skin care product
lines in the industry, Forever Spring, The Beauty System. Connie Stevens'
Forever Spring has amassed a clientele of over 3 million women across
the country. People Magazine has called her a dynamo, a Joan of Arc….
a hot star in a cool medium. Time Magazine rated her Ginseng Facial Feed
product the number one selling product of all time on the air.
As
a result of its success, the Forever Spring line has become one of America's
most successful beauty lines and is continuously growing. Connie's philosophy
of redefining beauty and changing the "over 40" syndrome has
drawn attention from product manufacturers and critics alike. Little did
she realize a few years ago that her products and company would be playing
ball with "the big boys" such as Revlon, Lancôme and Clinique.
Earnings from the Home Shopping Network alone grossed over 1 billion dollars.
Considered one of the 500 top female executives in the United States,
Stevens has owned and operated her company for 14 years.
Connie
feels her crowning achievement, and the pride and joy of her life, are
her daughters Joely and Tricia Leigh Fisher, from her marriage to Eddie
Fisher. Connie single handedly raised both daughters while maintaining
her filming and touring schedules.
Connie
has devoted much of her time and influence to help those less fortunate
and her work with Native American Indians is widely recognized. Connie's
project Windfeather of 12 years has enabled the awarding of 83 college
scholarships for Native American Youths, the delivery of surplus goods
to Indian reservations nationwide and summer camps for Native American
children who have never left the reservation.
Stevens,
the film maker, completed producing and directing A Healing, a feature
film documentary dedicated to the women, and the young warriors they attended
to, who served in the U.S. /Vietnam conflict. A Healing follows a three-week
reunion journey through Vietnam of 100 women in 1995, who served in this
conflict some 26 years ago. Stevens' journeyed with them to find closure
to this bizarre interlude. This award wining documentary is their story
played out with compelling sensitivity, trust, compassion and drama. Introduced
by Jack Valenti, President of the Motion Picture Association of America,
A Healing which she personally directed and edited, the proceeds of which
will go to several veteran charities.
In addition, she has made landmark strides with "Dignity" in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, helping the mentally and physically challenged
to become working members of the community. Hosting her annual Celebrity
Ski Extravaganza, Connie has enabled the development of programs and a
facility to house and educate these people, newly dedicated as the Connie
Stevens Center for Independent Living. An added bonus was news that as
a result of an annual pilot program of "Don't Drink and Drive,"
celebrity PSA's that Connie created, Wyoming, for the first time in history,
boasted a record of ZERO teenage deaths on the highway. She is now involved
in plans to build the first resort hotel for children and young adults
with special needs.
For
her tireless work and support of others, Connie has been honored and received
the coveted 1991 'Lady of Humanities' award from the Shriners Hospital,
'Humanitarian of the Year' by the Sons of Italy in Washington DC. She
also was honored from "The Vietnam Veterans Association of America",
as well as receiving 'The Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service'
from the United States Armed Forces, which is the highest honor that can
be bestowed on a civilian.
She
says of Veterans, "They are my favorite Americans." Having toured
with Bob Hope around the world, at every major base, numerous hospitals
and military venues. She gives of her time whenever needed - from Korea
to Vietnam to the Persian Gulf.
With
a whirlwind schedule of touring, film and television commitments, appearances,
producing and writing, it is no wonder Connie Stevens can be considered
"a woman for all seasons." It's this kind of energy, determination,
talent and generosity that results in true success, and that's what truly
defines the word "Super Star."
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