Actress Stella Stevens is an American film, television, and stage actress who has been active in the entertainment industry since the late 1950s. She is best known for her roles in films such as The Nutty Professor, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, and The Poseidon Adventure. Her stage name is a combination of her middle name, Estelle, and her father's surname, Stevens. Stella ADLER was an American actress and acting teacher who founded the Stella ADLER Studio of Acting in New York City. She was a member of the renowned ADLER family of actors and taught many of the most famous actors of the 20th century, including Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Warren Beatty.