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CNN Live Sunday

Former Teen Heartthrob Troy Stevens Dies at 65

Aired September 02, 2001 - 17:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Actor Troy Donahue died today at a hospital in Santa Monica, California. A family friend said he had suffered a heart attack on Thursday. Donahue was a teen movie heartthrob during the 1950s and '60s. His role opposite Sandra Dee in 1959's "A Summer Place" made him a star. Troy Donahue was 65.

And now joining us to talk more about the life and career of Troy Donahue is actress Connie Stevens, who co-stared with Troy Donahue in a television series "Surfside 6." She joins us by telephone now from Beverly Hills, California.

Ms. Stevens, thanks for joining us.

CONNIE STEVENS, DONAHUE'S FRIEND: Yes, sure, it's a pleasure.

FRAZIER: Your first response to this news?

STEVENS: Well, I watched Troy in magnificent battle for his life. I got the call yesterday afternoon. After having his sixth bypass I walked in and he, you know, was full of hope and trying his best. And I said don't blow my cover, I told them I was your sister, and he was really happy to see me. And he said, don't be crazy, tell them who you are, they'll treat me better. So he had a great sense of humor. In the last couple years we connected a lot closer than we even had.

We did three films together. We were Warner Brothers' young people, and did several other things together. And the last few years he was the happiest I had ever seen him. And a pretty stand-up guy. We've gone through a lot of tragedies together of late. And it was a magnificent battle. He -- we went all through the night with him, and he just couldn't hold out any longer; it was his sixth bypass.

FRAZIER: The bypass mentioned was what doctors did if response to the initial heart attack and they, as you said, bypassed six different arteries. That was a major bit of surgery.

STEVENS: I don't know he had that many frankly. But just to see him make a joke after that, and say give me a kiss, it was pretty amazing.

And it was wonderful because of the nurses. I've got to compliment the crew that stayed all night -- through the day, all night, were fans of his, which is always a wonderful thing. The nurses told me that they had grown up with us, and that's a nice way to be; and they took very good care of him and he was very grateful.

FRAZIER: We're hearing from other people who knew Troy Donahue that he made light of his good looks and his early stardom, and actually was a pretty down-to-earth character in spite of that.

STEVENS: Oh, yes. Yes he was. He had a great sense of humor; very proud of his lady love, recently performed at the ball. And, you know, he was running around and so nervous and so good. And came up to see my daughter in Cabaret in New York. And the first thing he asked me was how is the baby. I just became a grandmother.

FRAZIER: Oh, congratulation.

You understated your effects; you and he, you said, were Warner Brothers' young people. In fact, you rode the wave of that wonderful California surf epic -- all those films and all the television series about, you know. the youth culture.

What it was a like to have youth pass him by?

STEVENS: I think it was a little difficult at first, you know, but he survived it pretty well. He had some adversity in his life, and challenged it all. And I must say I had never seen him happier, never, ever, and more at peace with himself. So I'm glad for that.

FRAZIER: Well, we're glad to hear your insights. I'm sorry to be talking to you on this occasion, but thank you Connie Stevens, for filling us in.

STEVENS: All right thank you; bye-bye.

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