Paula Prentiss, a vivacious brunette comic player, started her career in the 1960s with lightweight, coquettish roles, later transitioning to more substantial dramatic parts in the 1970s. Eventually, she chose to step back from the spotlight to focus on raising a family. Born to an Italian immigrant and his wife, Paula graduated from the prestigious acting program at Northwestern University. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed, as she was quickly signed by MGM after being spotted by scouts. At MGM, she was often paired with Jim Hutton, beginning with her debut feature, Where the Boys Are (1960).
As she gained popularity with younger audiences, Prentiss delivered what many consider her standout performance as Rock Hudson’s assertive girlfriend in Howard Hawks’ Man’s Favorite Sport? (1964). She also captured the attention of more mature viewers with her roles as Peter Sellers’ married love interest in The World of Henry Orient (1964) and as a seductive stripper pursuing Peter O’Toole in What’s New Pussycat (1965).
After that phase of her career, Paula took a five-year break from feature films. During this time, she co-starred alongside her husband, Richard Benjamin, in the CBS sitcom He and She (1967–68), playing the role of a well-meaning but somewhat scatterbrained social worker married to a cartoonist.
Paula Prentiss has appeared in a variety of films throughout her career, but one of her most acclaimed works remains The World of Henry Orient (1964), which is widely regarded as her highest-rated film. On the other hand, Saturday the 14th (1981) tends to be viewed as her least successful project in terms of critical reception. While Paula Prentiss has certainly had her share of memorable roles, these two films represent the high and low points of her filmography. It’s interesting to see how different projects have resonated with audiences over the years, especially considering Paula Prentiss’s talent and contributions to the industry.