Girl with gun

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 19

Girl with gun

Sipping a glass of chilled Californian white wine after a gruelling day's work on “Hart to Hart.” Stefanie Powers admitted that playing the sexy super-sleuth, Jennifer Haft, in the topranking series, had transformed her life, “I've never been a movie star,” she explained. "I'm just one of the workers! “Sometimes it's been quite a problem just living," she added. “I was out of work for two years after I made one of the greatest flops in the history of television. "Nobody seems to remember "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.’ any more." says Stefanie. "which is just as well. It was a spin-off from 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E..’ which did wonders for Robert Vaughan and David McCallum.

"The only spectacular thing about my series was the way it flopped. And, because I was new to television. I was blamed for the whole catastrophe.” It was quite some time before she started her comeback — and even that had to be the hard way. “I acquired the reputation as ‘The Girl Who Couldn't Say No'.” she said, a wry grin spreading across her prettily-freckled face. "I was only too pleased to play the parts that other actresses were turning down. "I took supporting roles in almost every detective and medical drama series being made. "And I think I must have set up some kind of record, because I was probably raped, strangled, stabbed and assaulted more than anybody else in the business. “Looking back, I just don’t know how my career -. survived, because some of these shows were real garbage. But — thank goodness — it paid off and I started getting some good parts, too.” Away from the screen, Stefanie — who speaks six languages fluently and is now working hard at her

Chinese — is an addicted naturalist and globe-trotter. “I'd rather die somewhere in the. Himalayas, than in a Beverk Hills hotel," she told me. Formerly married, for nine years to the actor, Garry From JOANNE WILLS in Hollywood. Lockwood, she lived with William Holden for about six years, but says: “I didn't want to marry Bill. "The only reason for marriage is to have children, but I can't see that happening because of my commitments.. "There's three years still to run on my “Hart To Hart” contract. I'm 37 now, so by the time that's over I ll be

nearing the age when it would be dangerous to have kids.” She's also realistic enough to say: “I’ve only a few more years left as an actress. I certainly don't want to wake up in the mornings when I'm 40 and wonder if I .need a face-lift to get another week's work!” • It was her co-star. Robert Wagner. w’ho insisted that Stefanie should play his wife in the "Hart To Hart" series. “Stefanie had been a guest star in my other television series "It takes A Thief," he told me. "Somehow. I felt that the chemistry’ was just right. She had the style and class to help carry a show that depended more on personality and lavish backgrounds than just storylines. “I think I've been proved right.”