Stefanie Powers

A near constant presence on television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, actress Stefanie Powers became known for her always reliable portrayals of smart, sexy and intelligent women. A native of Hollywood, Powers began pursuing her career while still a teenager, landing early roles in films that included "Experiment in Terror" (1962) and "McClintock!" (1963). Her eponymous role as "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E." (NBC, 1966-67) nearly made her a household name, despite being canceled after only one season. Soon after, Powers flourished during the heyday of made-for-television movies, appearing almost weekly, it seemed, in such fare as "Five Desperate Women" (ABC, 1971) and "A Death in Canaan" (CBS, 1978). It was, however, in her role as the elegant and erudite Jennifer Hart opposite Robert Wagner on the adventure series "Hart to Hart" (ABC, 1979-1984) that she would be most associated for the remainder of her career. In 1981, the sudden deaths of her companion, William Holden, and Wagner's wife, Natalie Wood, within weeks of each other, came as devastating blows at the height of the show's popularity. In the years that followed, Powers continued the wildlife preservation efforts that she and Holden had been so passionate about, even as she continued to act - albeit less frequently - on select television projects, including a return as Jennifer Hart alongside Wagner in several made-for-TV movies. Boasting a personal life as fulfilling as her vast acting repertoire, Powers continually explored new roles in film, theater, television, and, most importantly, the world at large.