Louanne Worley Stephens was born in Dallas, Texas, and graduated with honors from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. As a child, she would often engage in imaginative play, dressing up and pretending, with her favorite activities being "Tarzan" in her grandmother's backyard and "hotel" and "saloon" in her grandmother's garage and tiny kitchen.
Although she never considered acting as a profession, Louanne participated in numerous plays throughout her junior high, high school, college, and community theater years. One of the most significant roles she played was Mrs. Gibbs in the production of "Our Town" during her senior year of high school, where she was paired with her future husband, Michael Stephens, M.D., who played Dr. Gibbs.
Louanne graduated magna cum laude from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, in 1964 with majors in English and education. She was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society and received the Minnie L. Anderson award for outstanding female graduate. Following her marriage in 1964, Louanne taught American literature in high school and earned an MA in American literature from Tulane University while her husband completed his medical training and internship in New Orleans.
Throughout her husband's medical training, which took them to various locations across the country, Louanne gave birth to their three children, which she considers the greatest accomplishments of her life. After her children began school, Louanne enrolled in an acting class for fun, only to discover that agents were interested in representing her.
Since 1985, Louanne has been actively involved in film, television, radio, and theater. She emphasizes that, although she may be playing and pretending on larger sets, she still finds the same excitement and passion as she did during her childhood playdates in her grandmother's garage.
