Actress Joely Fisher recalls her childhood with a laugh, mentioning she learned how to order room service almost as soon as she could talk. “My mom, Connie Stevens, was always on the road, and she took us kids with her,” Joely reminisced in a candid conversation with Closer, just before the SAG-AFTRA strike. “It wasn’t all glitz and glamour, though. There were no first-class flights or limos. My mom worked tirelessly as a single mom to support her family. She’s one of the hardest-working women I know.”
A Multifaceted Career
Connie Stevens, now 84, made a name for herself on the hit TV series Hawaiian Eye back in 1959. But her career didn’t stop there. Over the next five decades, she expanded into music, movies, theater, nightclub performances, writing, directing, and even developed a skincare line. Joely Fisher, brimming with pride, described her mom as a "badass" at a recent event for Race to Erase MS. “She’s unstoppable,” Joely gushed.
A Fighter Against All Odds
In 2016, Connie faced one of her toughest battles when she suffered a massive stroke. “I spent 16 days in the hospital, and I couldn’t walk or move my entire left side,” she recounted. Despite the setback, Connie has made remarkable progress. “She’s now living in assisted living, but she’s still strong and a fighter,” Joely said. Even in her current state, Connie finds joy in the little things, like enjoying a sandwich from Chick-fil-A, which she affectionately calls "the Lord’s chicken." “She says, ‘I don’t like salad. If I’m going out, I’m going out happy!’ ” Joely shared with a chuckle.
Read also:Tim Mcgraw Faces Back Surgery A Tough Road Ahead But Hes Not Alone
Connie’s Journey to Stardom
Born into a musical family, Connie moved to California in 1953 to live with her dad. “Then I left home at 15, and I’ve been working ever since,” she said. It was while singing with a group that she caught the eye of an agent. “I did the movie Dragstrip Riot, and they showed that to Jerry Lewis, and I got Rocka-Bye Baby. I sang in it, and I got a recording contract,” Connie recalled. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed, leading to guest appearances on popular shows like 77 Sunset Strip and Maverick, eventually landing her breakout role on Hawaiian Eye.
Triumphs and Trials
Connie’s life was filled with both triumphs and trials. In 1966, she divorced actor James Stacy, who had been abusive to her. The following year, she married crooner Eddie Fisher, but their marriage was fraught with challenges due to his struggles with drugs, alcohol, and infidelity. Despite these hardships, Connie never remarried, choosing to focus on her career and family.
By 1969, Connie was a single mom raising two young girls. “We were like gypsies,” Joely, who penned her memoir Growing Up Fisher: Musings, Memories and Misadventures, said. “When we were traveling with her, she’d ask, ‘You guys feel like coming on stage?’ We became a part of her act.”
A Legacy of Love and Support
As Joely and her sister Trisha grew, their mother remained a constant source of encouragement and wisdom. “She’s always reminded me of what an incredible human being I am and how proud she is of me and what a great mother I am,” Joely said. “She’s an affectionate, generous, and radiant woman.”
Today, Connie remains incredibly close with her daughters. “It was always the three of us against the world,” Joely reflected. “She lights up when we all show up. And, you know, we surround her with love.”
Read also:Dave And Jenny Marrs Settle Lawsuit Over Home Renovations
