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Paula Prentiss

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Full Name
  
Paula Ragusa

Role
  
Actress

Occupation
  
actress

Height
  
1.78 m

Years active
  
1960–2007

Siblings
  
Ann Prentiss

Name
  
Paula Prentiss


Paula Prentiss Paula Prentiss Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Born
  
March 4, 1938 (age 86) (
1938-03-04
)

Spouse
  
Children
  
Prentiss Benjamin, Ross Benjamin

Movies
  
Man's Favorite Sport?, Where the Boys Are, What's New Pussycat?, The Stepford Wives, The Parallax View

Similar People
  
Richard Benjamin, Ann Prentiss, Jim Hutton, Yvette Mimieux, Prentiss Benjamin

Paula prentiss at the aero theater 8 06 2010


Paula Prentiss (born Paula Ragusa; March 4, 1938) is an American actress best known for her film roles in Where the Boys Are, Man's Favorite Sport?, The Stepford Wives, What's New Pussycat?, In Harm's Way, The Black Marble, and The Parallax View, and the cult television series He & She.

Contents

Paula Prentiss Picture of Paula Prentiss

Screen goddesses paula prentiss


Early life

Paula Prentiss httpssmediacacheak0pinimgcom236xd6f5f0

Prentiss was born Paula Ragusa in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Paulene (née Gardner) and Thomas J. Ragusa, a Social Sciences professor at San Antonio's University of the Incarnate Word, who was of Sicilian descent.

Paula Prentiss Paula Prentiss TCM Classic Film Festival 2014

Before high school, Paula, who grew to 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m), was always the tallest person in class. She attended Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. In 1958 while studying drama at Northwestern University, she met future husband Richard Benjamin, who impressed her with his sophistication and height (he was taller than she was). While attending Northwestern she was discovered by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and was offered a film contract.

Career

Paula Prentiss Paula PrentissAnnex

Prentiss first became known as a comedic actress in the early 1960s with such films as Where the Boys Are, The Honeymoon Machine, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Horizontal Lieutenant. In all four films Prentiss was paired with the 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) actor Jim Hutton, as they were the two tallest male and female contract players at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

She continued to star in comedies later with Rock Hudson in Man's Favorite Sport?, in The World of Henry Orient and What's New, Pussycat? with Peter Sellers, in Last of the Red Hot Lovers with Alan Arkin, in Move with Elliott Gould, and in director Billy Wilder's last film, Buddy Buddy, with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. She also appeared in the war films Catch-22 and In Harm's Way, the thriller The Parallax View with Warren Beatty and the horror cult-classic The Stepford Wives, based on Ira Levin's novel.

For one season (1967–1968), Prentiss co-starred with her husband, Richard Benjamin, in the CBS sitcom He & She. Prentiss was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy.

Except for brief cameo roles, Prentiss had not appeared in a feature film for more than 30 years until 2016's I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, a horror film directed by Oz Perkins that premiered Sept. 10, 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Personal life

Prentiss and actor/director Richard Benjamin were married on October 26, 1961. In 1965, while filming What's New, Pussycat in Paris, Prentiss suffered a nervous breakdown that kept her out of film work for five years. She returned to work with Benjamin in the short-lived television series He & She. The couple appeared together in such films as Catch-22 (1970) and Saturday the 14th (1981), the made-for-television films No Room to Run (made in Australia) and Packin' It In, as well as in various plays. Benjamin also directed Prentiss in a brief appearance in Mrs. Winterbourne.

Family

Prentiss and Benjamin have two adult children, Ross and Prentiss. Ann Prentiss was Paula's younger sister and also an actress.

Filmography

Actress
2016
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House as
Iris Blum
2007
Hard Four as
Sweet Cherrie
1996
Mrs. Winterbourne as
Nurse Allmeyer (uncredited)
1995
Burke's Law (TV Series) as
Carla Martinet
- Who Killed the Hollywood Headshrinker? (1995) - Carla Martinet
1992
Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) as
Leonora Holt
- Incident in Lot 7 (1992) - Leonora Holt
1983
M.A.D.D.: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (TV Movie) as
Lynne Wiley
1983
Packin' It In (TV Movie) as
Dianne Webber
1981
Listening Skills (Video short) as
Hostess
1981
Managing Meetings (Video short) as
Hostess
1981
Mr. & Mrs. Dracula (TV Series) as
Sonia Dracula
- Pilot #2 (1981) - Sonia Dracula
1981
Buddy Buddy as
Celia Clooney
1981
Saturday the 14th as
Mary Hyatt
1980
The Black Marble as
Sgt. Natalie Zimmerman
1980
Top of the Hill (TV Movie) as
Norma Ellsworth Cully
1979
Friendships, Secrets and Lies (TV Movie) as
Sandy
1977
Having Babies II (TV Movie) as
Trish Canfield
1977
No Room to Run (TV Movie) as
Terry McKenna
1975
The Stepford Wives as
Bobby Markowe
1974
The Parallax View as
Lee Carter
1974
Crazy Joe as
Anne
1972
The Couple Takes a Wife (TV Movie) as
Barbara Hamilton
1972
Last of the Red Hot Lovers as
Bobbi Michele
1971
Born to Win as
Veronica
1970
Move as
Dolly
1970
Catch-22 as
Nurse Duckett
1967
He & She (TV Series) as
Paula Hollister
- What's in the Kitty? (1968) - Paula Hollister
- Knock, Knock, Who's There? Fernando, Fernando Who? (1968) - Paula Hollister
- Dog's Best Friend (1968) - Paula Hollister
- It's Not Whether You Win or Lose, It's How You Watch the Game (1968) - Paula Hollister
- What Do You Get for the Man Who Has Nothing? (1968) - Paula Hollister
- Along Came Kim (1968) - Paula Hollister
- The White Collar Worker (1968) - Paula Hollister
- Goodman, Spare That Tree (1968) - Paula Hollister
- A Rock by Any Other Name (1968) - Paula Hollister
- 45 Midgets from Broadway (1968) - Paula Hollister
- Poster Boy (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Easy Way Out (1967) - Paula Hollister
- North Goes West (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Don't Call Us (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Deep in the Heart of Taxes (1967) - Paula Hollister
- The Coming-Out Party (1967) - Paula Hollister
- He & She vs. Him (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Vote Yes or No (1967) - Paula Hollister
- The Background Man (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Dick's Van Dyke (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Before You Bury Me Can I Say Something? (1967) - Paula Hollister
- One of Our Firemen Is Missing (1967) - Paula Hollister
- Phantom of 84th Street (1967) - Paula Hollister
- How to Fail in Business (1967) - Paula Hollister
- The Second Time Around (1967) - Paula Hollister
- The Old Man & the She (1967) - Paula Hollister
1965
What's New Pussycat as
Liz Bien
1965
In Harm's Way as
Bev
1964
Looking for Love as
Paula Prentiss
1964
The World of Henry Orient as
Stella Dunworthy
1964
Man's Favorite Sport? as
Abigail Page
1963
77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) as
Soap model
- The Fumble (1963) - Soap model (uncredited)
1963
Follow the Boys as
Toni Denham
1962
The Horizontal Lieutenant as
Lt. Molly Blue
1961
Bachelor in Paradise as
Linda Delavane
1961
The Honeymoon Machine as
Pam Dunstan
1960
Where the Boys Are as
Tuggle Carpenter
Soundtrack
1972
Last of the Red Hot Lovers (performer: "What the World Needs Now Is Love")
Thanks
2017
Ida Western Exile (Documentary short) (thanks)
2004
Where the Boys Were: A Retrospective (Video documentary short) (special thanks)
Self
-
SEGAL (Documentary) (post-production) as
Self
2021
Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast (Podcast Series documentary) as
Self - Guest
- Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin Part 2 (2021) - Self - Guest
- Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin Part 1 (2021) - Self - Guest
2008
Speechless (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2006
The 11th Annual Satellite Awards (TV Special) as
Self
2004
Where the Boys Were: A Retrospective (Video documentary short) as
Self
2002
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories (TV Special documentary) as
Self
2001
The Stepford Life (Video documentary short) as
Self
1998
Working in the Theatre (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Production: Ragtime (1998) - Self
1963
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) as
Self - Guest / Self
- Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Leonard Waxdeck and The Birdcallers (1991) - Self
- (FROM LOS ANGELES) George Carlin, Eva Gabor, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss (1968) - Self - Guest
- Phil Foster, Paula Prentiss, Robert Berks, Miriam Makeba (1963) - Self - Guest
1982
The 54th Annual Academy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1981
The Way They Were (TV Special)
1981
The 7th Annual People's Choice Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1980
Saturday Night Live (TV Series) as
Self - Co-Host / Various
- Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss/The Grateful Dead (1980) - Self - Co-Host / Various
1980
Good Morning America (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 6 March 1980 (1980) - Self
1978
AFI Life Achievement Award (TV Series) as
Self - Audience Member (uncredit)
- AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda (1978) - Self - Audience Member (uncredit)
1978
Science Fiction Film Awards (TV Special documentary) as
Self - Presenter
1975
The Lion Roars Again (Documentary short) as
Self
1968
The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) as
Self - Actress / Self
- Episode #14.114 (1975) - Self - Actress
- Episode #11.214 (1972) - Self
- Episode #11.209 (1972) - Self - Actress
- Episode #7.166 (1968) - Self - Actress
1974
The 46th Annual Academy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1967
The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) as
Self
- From the Cannes Film Festival guests are James Coburn, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Richard Pryor (1973) - Self
- Married Couples (1972) - Self
- Husband-Wife Teams (1971) - Self
- Danny Thomas, Eydie Gorme, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Tony Randall, Julie Budd (1969) - Self
- Judy Garland, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Jackie Vernon, Totie Fields, Jimmy Helms (1969) - Self
- Paula Prentiss, Richard Benjamin, Orson Bean, Richie Havens, Al Pacino, Dick Lord, Dr. Lendon Smith, Sandi Kane (1968) - Self
- Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Della Reese, George Jessel (1967) - Self
1971
The David Frost Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.195 (1972) - Self
- Episode #3.168 (1971) - Self
- Episode #3.149 (1971) - Self
1971
The 43rd Annual Academy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1969
The 23rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1968
The Joan Rivers Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 16 December 1968 (1968) - Self
1968
What's My Line? (TV Series) as
Self - Mystery Guest
- Paula Prentiss & Richard Benjamin (1968) - Self - Mystery Guest
1968
The Steve Allen Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.8 (1968) - Self
1968
The Jonathan Winters Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Vic Damone, Dusty Springfield (1968) - Self
1968
Gypsy (TV Series) as
Self
- Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows (1968) - Self
1967
Pat Boone in Hollywood (TV Series) as
Self
- Phil Ford & Mimi Hines, Paula Prentiss & Richard Benjamin, Joe E. Ross, Joey Bishop & Regis Philbin, Roy Head (1967) - Self
- Pat Carroll, Leonard Nimoy, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Connie Francis (1967) - Self
1967
The Linkletter Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 3 October 1967 (1967) - Self
1964
To Tell the Truth (TV Series) as
Self - Panelist
- Barry Nelson, Phyllis Newman, Paula Prentiss, Alan Young - day 5 (1964) - Self - Panelist
- Barry Nelson, Phyllis Newman, Paula Prentiss, Alan Young - day 4 (1964) - Self - Panelist
- Barry Nelson, Phyllis Newman, Paula Prentiss, Alan Young - day 3 (1964) - Self - Panelist
- Barry Nelson, Phyllis Newman, Paula Prentiss, Alan Young - day 2 (1964) - Self - Panelist
- Barry Nelson, Phyllis Newman, Paula Prentiss, Alan Young - day 1 (1964) - Self - Panelist
1964
Get the Message (TV Series) as
Self
- Barry Nelson & Joel Grey Vs. Dorothy Kilgallen & Paula Prentiss - day 5 (1964) - Self
- Barry Nelson & Joel Grey Vs. Dorothy Kilgallen & Paula Prentiss - day 4 (1964) - Self
- Barry Nelson & Joel Grey Vs. Dorothy Kilgallen & Paula Prentiss - day 3 (1964) - Self
- Barry Nelson & Joel Grey Vs. Dorothy Kilgallen & Paula Prentiss - day 2 (1964) - Self
- Barry Nelson & Joel Grey Vs. Dorothy Kilgallen & Paula Prentiss - day 1 (1964) - Self
1964
The Match Game (TV Series) as
Self - Team Captain
- Episode #2.148 (1964) - Self - Team Captain
- Episode #2.147 (1964) - Self - Team Captain
- Episode #2.146 (1964) - Self - Team Captain
- Episode #2.145 (1964) - Self - Team Captain
- Paula Prentiss & Don DeFore (1964) - Self - Team Captain
1964
Password (TV Series) as
Self - Celebrity Contestant
- Paula Prentiss vs. Anthony Perkins - evening show (1964) - Self - Celebrity Contestant
1963
Fractured Flickers (TV Series) as
Self
- Paula Prentiss (1963) - Self
1963
Stump the Stars (TV Series) as
Self - Guest Panelist
- Nick Adams vs. Paula Prentiss (1963) - Self - Guest Panelist
1962
The Tonight Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.15 (1962) - Self
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #5.126 (1962) - Self
- Episode #5.101 (1962) - Self
1962
The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) as
Self - On Stage Bow
- Episode #15.25 (1962) - Self - On Stage Bow
1962
Here's Hollywood (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.110 (1962) - Self
1961
The 33rd Annual Academy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1960
The Bob Hope Show (TV Series) as
Self - Hollywood Deb Star
- Joan Crawford, Bobby Darin, Patti Page, 1960 Hollywood Deb Stars (1960) - Self - Hollywood Deb Star
Archive Footage
2010
Saucy 70's Volume 2 (Video documentary)
2007
John Wayne: Behind the Scenes (Video documentary)
1992
Rock Hudson's Home Movies (Documentary) as
Abigail Page

References

Paula Prentiss Wikipedia


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