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If one measures Hollywood stars by such traditional
markers as grace, beauty, and sophistication, then Stefanie Powers harkens back to Hollywood's Golden Era when stars were
the essence of what everybody dreamed to be. And if one measures the quality of a person by their sense of dedication, their
concern for the world around them, their ability to step outside themselves to see the greater importance of community and
society, than Stefanie Powers exemplifies the "new Hollywood" -- smart, charismatic, committed and, yes, sexy.
Actress
Stefanie Powers' charming and thoughtful real life personality has combined a natural curiosity and passion for knowledge,
world travel, and diverse cultures into both an award-winning acting career and an award-winning, equally active life of heartfelt
philanthropic work.
The cornerstone of that work is the WILLIAM HOLDEN
WILDLIFE FOUNDATION, a public charity dedicated to the preservation of wild animals, for which Stefanie serves as president.
As co-founder of WHWF, she has worked to combine habitat conservation with animal preservation through an education program
currently serving 10,000 students per year in Kenya. The WHWF Education Center offers course studies that back-up species
conservation and are appropriate for the local Kenyans as well as students from neighboring African countries. In addition,
their rural outreach effort involves over 3,000 students and their families in ongoing programs through library and field
installations.
"The Foundation is an extremely large commitment," Stefanie admits. "But it's not something I entered
into without understanding the full impact of the obligation. It's lifelong commitment that sometimes monopolizes 100% of
my life.
What's perhaps staggering for most of us who would
find either acting or extensive social work full-time occupations is that Stefanie's life only begins there. She makes the
term "well-rounded" a severe understatement. To begin, she runs her own production company that always has several projects
brewing. Her acting credits include many feature films and television movies, several hit television series, theatrical productions,
and a number of mini-series.
Travel has always been an important part of her life, and in pursuit of more meaningful
experiences, she has taught herself to be conversant in seven languages. "I never travel frivolously," says Stefanie. "There
is always some prevailing curiosity or interest which involves me wherever I go." But vacationing is not part of her lexicon.
"I don't 'do' holidays well; sitting around drives me mad."
As if that's not enough, she's designed a line of
clothing for the Home Shopping Network, created a fragrance (Rare Orchid) for QVC, released four home videos (Introduction
to Horseback Riding and Horse Care, The Broadway Workout from Lightyear Entertainment which is a 47-minute fitness workout
underscored by Broadway show tunes, and a two-volume Power Pilates set), has written two fitness books (Superlife
and Powers Pilates: A Guide to Longevity and Well-being through Pilates), is spokesperson for the Home Again TM
Companion Animal Retrieval System (a new microchip implant designed to track house pets and help return them to their owners
when they stray), and has recently recorded a CD with the Page Cavanaugh Trio.
In addition, she has successfully combined her acting
career with her lifelong, highly-recognised work not only with the WHWF but as a dedicated advocate for animal welfare as
a Fellow of the Los Angeles Zoo, and by serving on the advisory boards of Zoo Atlanta and the Columbus Zoo.
She has received many awards for her work with Dr.
Birute Galdikas of the Orangutan Foundation, Dr. Betsy Dresser of the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Wildlife
(Audubon Zoo, New Orleans), Karen Sussman's project to reunite the American wild horse with the Lakota Sioux Nation on Indian
lands, and Grace Belenor of the California Retirement Foundation for Rehabilitation of Retired Race Horses.
One of her newest and most exciting ventures was launched
in 2003 with Jaguar Motor Company. For the first time in motor history, an automobile company has dedicated itself to
the preservation of the very species from which it derives its name and she has been appointed Conservation Consultant for
both Jaguar and Land Rover. In this precedent-setting role, Stefanie is helping develop a full spectrum conservation
program for the Jaguar cat.
"Every once in a while, all these things come crashing
together, " comments Stefanie on her crowded schedule. "You're obviously going to have those moments if you involve yourself
with a lot of things."
What's her solution? Just keep going. "I feel very privileged to have been on the tail end
of the Star System," explains Stefanie. "I began to work at fifteen, and when I was put under contract at Columbia, they still
believed in 'grooming' their young hopefuls. That process allowed me to learn how movies were made since the studio was my
playground. In many ways, the experience of working with such movie greats as John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Bing Crosby, Van
Heflin, Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, Lana Turner, Cliff Robertson, David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, helped to give me a sense of
the importance or balancing career and life. Tallulah Bankhead and Helen Hayes became friends after our work together and
gave me a sense of appreciation and respect for all those greats who set such a high standard for all of us to follow. But
they all said the same thing -- 'when the makeup comes off you still have to go home and face your life; make sure it is a
satisfying as the one you left at the dressing table.' I think I have."
Stefanie Powers StefaniePowers StephaniePowers Stephanie HarttoHart Jennifer Hart JenniferHart Wildlife Foundation WildlifeFoundation
WilliamHolden William Holden WilliamHoldenWildlifeFoundation WHWF GirlfromUNCLE GirlfromU.N.C.L.E.
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