She rose to prominence in 1979 as a comedienne, actress, and sex symbol.
Subsequently, she starred in Superman III in Hollywood and transformed her career into that of a U.S.-based psychologist, author on sex and relationships, and broadcaster.
Currently, she resides in a stronghold of Trump supporters in Florida, pursuing her work and passions with the same vigor and determination she has always exhibited.
Born under the clear skies of Takapuna, Auckland in 1949, this actress entered a world full of wonder.
Everything seemed achievable, until a traumatic event altered her life forever. As detailed in her autobiography, she was raped at 16 by a 35-year-old heroin addict and contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
She kept the incident private, but when her parents found out about her infection, they expelled her from the family home. As she reflected, “I remember that feeling vividly, as I still feel it every time someone rejects me, even in minor ways.”
As previously noted, the comedienne’s parents were both in academia — her father a zoologist and her mother a biologist. They were often distant, cold, and at times, quite harsh, even going so far as to say she resembled an experiment.
“Did they intentionally withhold love and comfort to observe how I would develop? Sometimes it felt that way,” the actress shared in her book.
According to her, her parents had enormous expectations for their firstborn. She began reading at the age of three and performed exceptionally well on IQ tests. By the time she was seven, she was advanced a grade, where she encountered bullying and became socially isolated.
Nevertheless, she motivated herself to succeed because, as she states, “my father made it clear that coming in second was not an option.”
This absence of nurturing had a profound effect on her. “I have this thing about physical affection. I deeply long for hugs and touch, but when I find myself in that situation, I feel a bit anxious, as it brings sadness, reminding me of what I lacked. This is common for many who weren’t held as children.”
With this perspective, it doesn’t seem entirely unreasonable that her parents actually cast her out into the cold upon discovering she had a sexually transmitted infection.
When she was seriously ill with glandular fever and gonorrhea, her father visited her and said, “You were meant to remain pure until marriage. You are no longer my daughter.”
Yet, despite being cast out, this woman found a way to rise again.
In 1971, the determined actress completed her exams at the National Institute for Dramatic Art in Sydney, marking the beginning of her gradual rise in the industry. It wasn’t an instant triumph. She often faced financial struggles and didn’t always land the most desirable roles. In Australia, she dedicated a significant amount of her energy to combat typecasting in theater, and her passionate reactions occasionally caught the attention of the media.
Perhaps as a result, she relocated to the United Kingdom in 1976, where she featured in various films and television programs. However, it was in the realm of comedy that she truly found her stride, eventually being hailed in the UK as “one of the cheekiest exports from the colonies.”
She rose to prominence on the British sketch-comedy series Not the Nine O’Clock News during the late ’70s and early ’80s, sharing the stage with renowned comedians such as Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, and Griff Rhys Jones.
On the show, she truly broke the mold. Not only was she the only woman in a comedy team filled with posh men, but she also portrayed a sexy female character at a time when men typically played women in drag.
“I kept thinking, I want to be a serious actress, which was silly because I’m not good at serious acting; I’m awful at it and find straight acting incredibly dull. I just didn’t pay attention to my own feelings. I should have realized that I was meant to be a comic,” she once shared.
One of her most unforgettable sketches featured her as a car-rental receptionist who, when asked if a customer could use an American Express card, responded: “That will do nicely, sir, and would you like to rub my tits, too?” — while unbuttoning her blouse. This sketch cleverly mocked the company’s advertising slogan, and a 2007 editorial noted it “perfectly captured the ‘greed is good’ spirit of the 80s, a legacy that continues to resonate today.”
Her contributions to the show eventually led to a role in a significant Hollywood film in the early ’80s. Portraying Lorelei Ambrosia, the Kant-reading girlfriend of the film’s antagonist Ross Webster, she received acclaim for her performance in Superman III.
However, one critic believed that the role failed to highlight her abilities, stating that she was “completely wasted in a part which would have been too dumb for Goldie Hawn.” Ouch.
In the mid-’80s, the now-famous actress and comedic talent joined the American sketch series Saturday Night Live, becoming the show’s second cast member and the only female one born outside of North America.
For several years, she was regarded as one of the funniest women in the world.
She portrayed characters such as Billy Idol and Cyndi Lauper. Reflecting on her time, Rolling Stone noted her as “a bright spot in a weak season.”
Life took a different direction in 1989 when the actress wed Scottish comedian Billy Connolly. The couple had actually been together for a decade before finally getting married in Fiji. Three years later, they relocated to Los Angeles and raised three children together.
According to her autobiography, after years of contemplation and achieving her comedic aspirations, she chose to pursue a career in psychology. In the early 1990s, after attending Antioch University in the U.S., she became a licensed clinical psychologist.
She is also a successful author, having released several books. In 2002, she published a best-selling psycho-biography about her husband, titled Billy.
So who is this versatile woman we’re discussing? None other than Pamela Stephenson!
This New Zealand-born Australian-British psychologist, writer, actress, and comedian truly has many talents, and she now resides in Florida with her husband, Billy.
Her husband has had an incredible career. Along with decades of live performances that endeared him to audiences worldwide, he has also featured in about 50 films and numerous TV shows. He overcame prostate cancer but was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease approximately ten years ago.
“As my 80-year-old husband’s primary caregiver, I strive to minimize his stress,” she shared with The Guardian in 2023.
“Our relocation to Florida was driven by the need to place Billy in a more tranquil environment, free from the extreme temperatures found in New York. Similar to Billy’s cherished Glasgow, a cold winter for him means the risk of slipping on ice and ‘falling on my arse’.
“Currently, our new environmental challenges include hurricanes, pesky grackles, and iguana droppings,” she continued.
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From a childhood filled with challenges and resilience to a career that encompassed comedy, acting, writing, and psychology, Pamela Stephenson has established herself as a remarkable force of talent and determination.
Whether she’s making audiences laugh on stage, delving into the complexities of the human mind, or sharing her wisdom through her books, she has consistently transformed herself while making a lasting impact in every area she engages with. What an incredible journey it’s been — thank you for taking us along, Pamela!
