The actress, 86, is famous for starring in the drama series “Hawaiian Eye.” Even after her decades-long career in show business, she continues to attract audiences with her timeless beauty.
She grew up surrounded by music and culture in a lively Italian household. With a heritage she believes includes Iroquois roots, she adopted her father’s stage name and began her journey as a singer before landing extra roles in films.
Despite her success, she found Hollywood challenging. “This is a tough industry. I’ve never run with the pack so to speak. I’ve always been my own person. Everybody knows that,” she once shared.
About personal life, she faced significant challenges.
In 1963, she married actor James Stacy, but the relationship ended in 1966 after years of ab:u:se.
Though her second marriage lasted just two years, it brought her two daughters, Joely and Tricia Leigh Fisher. After these relationships, she chose not to marry again.
Focused on raising her daughters, the wonderful moments she shared with her daughters brought them closer.
Sadly, the family experienced a devastating loss in 1996 when her mother’s older brother, Charles Thomas Ingolia, di:ed of a heart attack in Las Vegas at 63.
Two years after her brother’s passing, the star sufferd another challenge. In 1998, actress-singer Connie Stevens was in a legal battle where a Los Angeles Superior Court jury ruled that she owed her former manager, Norton Styne, $4.3 million.
The Hollywood star started new opportunities when she turned to the cosmetics business after Norton failed to secure acting roles or personal appearances for her.
Although facing many difficulties, her determination remained unshaken. She turned to filmmaking, conceiving, co-writing, producing, and directing “Saving Grace B. Jones,” which debuted in select cities in 2012.
In 2016, she suffered a massive str0ke 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’s recovery has since been steady, and while she now resides in assisted living, her spirit remains unbreakable. “[…] She’s strong and a fighter,” her daughter Joely said.
