Kaye Stevens was a singer and actress who performed with the Rat Pack, appeared on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show, and starred in several movies and TV shows. She was also a devout Christian who devoted her later years to ministry and charity work. But what was Kaye Stevens’ cause of death and how did she cope with her illness?
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Kaye Stevens’ Early Life and Career
Kaye Stevens was born Catherine Louise Stephens on July 21, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was an only child and her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when she was young. She started her career as a drummer and singer in local bands and nightclubs. She married bandleader and trumpet player Tommy Amato in 1955 and they performed together until they divorced in 1961.
Stevens got her big break when she was discovered by Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s longtime sidekick, who helped her get bookings in Las Vegas and New York. She filled in for Debbie Reynolds at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas and became an instant hit. She then went on to perform at the Plaza Hotel’s Persian Room and Caesar’s Palace in New York, as well as other venues across the country.
She also toured with the Rat Pack, the legendary group of entertainers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop. She became friends with them and shared their humor and charisma. She also performed for the US troops in Vietnam with Bob Hope’s USO tour, bringing joy and laughter to the soldiers.
Kaye Stevens’ Acting Roles and Awards
Stevens was not only a singer but also an actress. She appeared in six movies, including The Interns (1962), The Man From the Diners’ Club (1963), and Jaws 3-D (1983). She earned a Golden Globe nomination in 1964 for her role in The New Interns. She also appeared in several TV shows, such as CHiPs, Police Woman, and B.L. Stryker. She was a regular on the soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1974 to 1979, where she introduced the song “You Light Up My Life” to the audience.
Stevens was also a frequent guest on game shows, such as Match Game, Hollywood Squares, Celebrity Sweepstakes, The Price Is Right, Tattletales, and Password. She was known for her wit and charm, as well as her singing talent. She won several awards, such as the Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year, the Hollywood Women’s Press Club Golden Apple Award, and the American Guild of Variety Artists’ Georgie Award.
Kaye Stevens’ Personal Life and Faith
Stevens married three times, but none of her marriages lasted long. She married realtor Gerald Armstrong in 1964 and divorced him in 1965. She married lawyer Woodrow Maxwell Melvin Jr. in 1977 and divorced him in 1978. She had no children of her own, but she adopted a son, Scott, who died in a car accident in 1986.
Stevens was a devout Catholic who converted to Christianity in the 1980s. She started her own ministry and performed only Christian and patriotic music. She staged benefits to help build St. Vincent Catholic Church in Margate, Florida, where she lived for many years. She also supported various causes, such as animal rights, anti-drug campaigns, and AIDS awareness.
Kaye Stevens’ Cause of Death and Legacy
Stevens was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 2000s and underwent several surgeries and treatments. She also suffered from blood clots and other complications. She died on December 28, 2011, at the Villages Hospital north of Orlando, Florida. She was 79 years old.
Stevens was remembered by her friends and fans as a talented and generous person who brought joy and inspiration to many. She was praised for her versatility and vitality, as well as her faith and compassion. She left behind a legacy of music, laughter, and love.
Sources: according to Wikipedia, TODAY, The Christian Post, Dead or Kicking, and BBC News.
