Paula Prentiss

Paula Prentiss

87 · Born: Mar 4, 1938

Personal Details

BornMar 4, 1938 San Antonio, Texas, USA
Relatives
  • Ann Prentiss (Sibling)

Biography

Paula Prentiss, a talented actress, was first discovered by a talent scout at Northwestern University in 1958. This serendipitous encounter led to her being signed by Metro Goldwyn Mayer, a prestigious film studio, and paired with Jim Hutton in a series of comedic films. As her career progressed, Prentiss rapidly established herself as one of the most renowned American comediennes of the 1960s, renowned for her unique brand of humor, which was characterized by her distinctive voice inflections, free-spirited acting style, and striking brunette beauty.

Her impressive range and versatility as an actress allowed her to excel in a variety of roles, including dramatic parts, in addition to her signature comedies of the screwball genre. Despite her remarkable success, Prentiss never became enamored with the Hollywood scene, and she retired from films on several occasions, citing illness and motherhood as contributing factors. However, she was always warmly received whenever she made a comeback, a testament to her enduring popularity and respect within the industry.

Prentiss's personal life is also noteworthy, as she is married to the accomplished actor and director Richard Benjamin, with whom she shares two children, Ross Benjamin and Prentiss Benjamin.

Career

{"id":109825,"title":"I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House","year":"2016","character":"Iris Blum","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/i-am-the-pretty-thing-that-lives-in-the-house","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_109825.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_109825.jpg"},"released":1}
2016
{"id":48224,"title":"Hard Four","year":"2007","character":"Sweet Cherrie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hard-four","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_48224.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_48224.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
Hard Four
Hard Four as Sweet Cherrie
{"id":7090,"title":"Mrs. Winterbourne","year":"1996","character":"Nurse Allmeyer (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mrs-winterbourne","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7090.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7090.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
Mrs. Winterbourne
Mrs. Winterbourne as Nurse Allmeyer (uncredited)
{"id":2076,"title":"Murder, She Wrote","year":1991,"character":"Leonora Holt","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/murder-she-wrote","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/2qu16fume7r0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/2qu16fume7r0.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote as Leonora Holt
{"id":63067,"title":"Packin' It In","year":"1983","character":"Dianne Webber","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/packin-it-in-1983","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63067.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63067.jpg"},"released":1}
1983
Packin' It In
Packin' It In as Dianne Webber
{"id":204613,"title":"M.A.D.D.: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers","year":"1983","character":"Lynne Wiley","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/madd-mothers-against-drunk-drivers-1983","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_204613.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_204613.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":7364,"title":"Buddy Buddy","year":"1981","character":"Celia Clooney","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/buddy-buddy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1rfo4cn7h3jg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1rfo4cn7h3jg.jpg"},"released":1}
1981
Buddy Buddy
Buddy Buddy as Celia Clooney
{"id":63729,"title":"Saturday the 14th","year":"1981","character":"Mary","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/saturday-the-14th","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63729.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63729.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":8049,"title":"The Black Marble","year":"1980","character":"Sgt. Natalie Zimmerman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-black-marble","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8049.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8049.jpg"},"released":1}
1980
The Black Marble
The Black Marble as Sgt. Natalie Zimmerman
{"id":163097,"title":"Top of the Hill","year":"1980","character":"Norma Ellsworth Cully","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/top-of-the-hill","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_163097.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_163097.jpg"},"released":1}
Top of the Hill
Top of the Hill as Norma Ellsworth Cully
{"id":80925,"title":"Friendships, Secrets and Lies","year":"1979","character":"Sandy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/friendships-secrets-and-lies","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_80925.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_80925.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
{"id":164040,"title":"No Room to Run","year":"1977","character":"Terry McKenna","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/no-room-to-run","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_164040.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_164040.jpg"},"released":1}
1977
No Room to Run
No Room to Run as Terry McKenna
{"id":198260,"title":"Having Babies II","year":"1977","character":"Trish Canfield","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/having-babies-ii","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198260.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198260.jpg"},"released":1}
Having Babies II
Having Babies II as Trish Canfield
{"id":32171,"title":"The Stepford Wives","year":"1975","character":"Bobbie Markowe","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-stepford-wives-1975","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/57bb4285oo00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/57bb4285oo00.jpg"},"released":1}
1975
The Stepford Wives
The Stepford Wives as Bobbie Markowe
{"id":32266,"title":"Crazy Joe","year":"1974","character":"Anne","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/crazy-joe","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32266.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32266.jpg"},"released":1}
1974
{"id":32649,"title":"The Parallax View","year":"1974","character":"Lee Carter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-parallax-view","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/28muk8gh4q1g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/28muk8gh4q1g.jpg"},"released":1}
The Parallax View
The Parallax View as Lee Carter
{"id":81792,"title":"The Couple Takes a Wife","year":"1972","character":"Barbara Hamilton","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-couple-takes-a-wife","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_81792.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_81792.jpg"},"released":1}
1972
The Couple Takes a Wife
The Couple Takes a Wife as Barbara Hamilton
{"id":86797,"title":"Last of the Red Hot Lovers","year":"1972","character":"Bobbi Michele","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/last-of-the-red-hot-lovers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_86797.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_86797.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":24237,"title":"Born to Win","year":"1971","character":"Veronica","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/born-to-win","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_24237.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_24237.jpg"},"released":1}
1971
Born to Win
Born to Win as Veronica
{"id":87108,"title":"Move","year":"1970","character":"Dolly","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/move","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87108.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87108.jpg"},"released":1}
1970
Move
Move as Dolly
{"id":22400,"title":"Catch-22","year":"1970","character":"Nurse Duckett","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/catch-22","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6812ejvasv40.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6812ejvasv40.jpg"},"released":1}
Catch-22
Catch-22 as Nurse Duckett
{"id":103834673,"title":"He & She","year":1967,"character":"Paula Hollister","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/he-she","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834673.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834673.jpg"},"released":1}
1967
He & She
He & She as Paula Hollister
{"id":11812,"title":"What's New Pussycat","year":"1965","character":"Liz Bien","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/whats-new-pussycat","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3sl2fsdgjun0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3sl2fsdgjun0.jpg"},"released":1}
1965
{"id":22355,"title":"In Harm's Way","year":"1965","character":"Beverly McConnell","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/in-harms-way-1965","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_22355.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_22355.jpg"},"released":1}
In Harm's Way
In Harm's Way as Beverly McConnell
{"id":65723,"title":"The World of Henry Orient","year":"1964","character":"Stella Dunnworthy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-world-of-henry-orient","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65723.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65723.jpg"},"released":1}
1964
The World of Henry Orient
The World of Henry Orient as Stella Dunnworthy
{"id":30334,"title":"Man's Favorite Sport?","year":"1964","character":"Abigail Page","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mans-favorite-sport","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1uej4ij2fdqg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1uej4ij2fdqg.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":188539,"title":"Follow the Boys","year":"1963","character":"Toni","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/follow-the-boys-1963","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_188539.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_188539.jpg"},"released":1}
1963
{"id":66029,"title":"The Horizontal Lieutenant","year":"1962","character":"Lt. Molly Blue","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-horizontal-lieutenant","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66029.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66029.jpg"},"released":1}
1962
{"id":32415,"title":"Bachelor in Paradise","year":"1961","character":"Linda Delavane","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bachelor-in-paradise","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32415.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32415.jpg"},"released":1}
1961
Bachelor in Paradise
Bachelor in Paradise as Linda Delavane
{"id":66076,"title":"The Honeymoon Machine","year":"1961","character":"Pam Dunstan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-honeymoon-machine","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66076.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66076.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":32296,"title":"Where the Boys Are","year":"1960","character":"Tuggle Carpenter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/where-the-boys-are","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32296.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32296.jpg"},"released":1}
1960
Where the Boys Are
Where the Boys Are as Tuggle Carpenter
{"id":268857,"title":"The Stepford Life","year":"2001","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-stepford-life","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_268857.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_268857.jpg"},"released":1}
2001
{"id":196,"title":"Saturday Night Live","year":1979,"character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/saturday-night-live","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/r89ce0uhh4c0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/r89ce0uhh4c0.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
{"id":65781,"title":"Looking for Love","year":"1964","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/looking-for-love","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65781.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65781.jpg"},"released":1}
1964