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Kaye Stevens Dead: Frequent Rat Pack and 'Tonight Show' Guest Dies at 79

Kaye StevensAP

Kaye Stevens, a singer and actress that frequently performed with Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack, died recently in a Florida hospital at the age of 79, USA Today reports. The Johnny Carson 'Tonight Show' regular passed away Wednesday (Dec. 28) at Villages Hospital near Orlando after a long battle with breast cancer and blood clots.

Stevens caught her big break when she was booked to play a lounge at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. When popular performer Debbie Reynolds became ill, Stevens was brought up to the venue's main room where she became an instant sensation. From there, Ed McMahon brought her to the attention of Johnny Carson and the Rat Pack.

She would eventually tour with Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, Dean Martin and the other famed singer/actors of the exclusive group. Stevens traveled to war-torn Vietnam to perform for American soldiers on Bob Hope's USO tour, further amplifying her status as a top-tier singer.

In 1964, Stevens' acting career gained big accolades when she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in 'The New Interns.' In the late 1970s, she starred on the hit daytime soap 'Days of Our Lives' while making celebrity appearances on game shows 'Hollywood Squares' and 'Password.' Stevens married now-deceased bandleader and trumpet player Tommy Amato in her early career. The couple toured throughout the Atlantic coast and never had any children.

The last two decades have seen Stevens start her own ministry and perform only patriotic and Christian-themed music. A park in Margate, Fla. was named in her honor after she donated money to help build St. Vincent Catholic Church.

Johnny Carson's Last Appearance on Television

Watch Kaye Stevens Sing 'I Want to Be Happy'

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Claire

I, know excactly where that park is in Margate FLbut never knew it was named after Kaye..... R.I.P

January 02 2012 at 12:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
smphill2

Of course... but i am not a doctor. They would say: try a good itch cream. As for the anal warts you may have to get some good lube. If it is puss filled you may need to stop with her.
I hope this helps as i am a frequent reader on this forum.

December 31 2011 at 2:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sugardadmeet.com

Wow, My best fríènd ,she just has annóuncéd hér wēddīng wīth a rich mān who is a cèlèbrìty !They mèt via~~~~SéêkSúɡárDαd.Сσм ~~~~ ..it is the lārgēst and bēst clúb for rich man with yung and beautiful woman and theìr àdmirèrs to chát ōnlìnè. …You do nǒt hávè to bê rīch ór fāmóùs. ,bùt yōu cān meēt yóùr trùē lòvê , It’s wòrthy ǎ try!

December 30 2011 at 9:00 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
WESTADSPAY

I REMEMBER HER ON MATCH GAME SHOW. SHE WAS ALWAYS CRACKING UP OVER THE QUESTIONS.MOST ALL OF THE CELEBS ON THAT SHOW ARE GONE NOW. THE ONLY ONE I KNOW THATS STILL ALIVE IS BETTY WHITE.

December 30 2011 at 8:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
macaposr

In 2005 Volvo had 6000 xc90 suv;s with a major engine defect. The balancer shaft bearings get rusted and can go bad at any time causing catastrophic engine failure. Volvo is not addressing this problem, but trying to avoid their responsibilities.

December 30 2011 at 6:03 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to macaposr's comment
Hans

And your comment has exactly what to do with the article? Please post your stuff on links where the readers might be interested. N'kay?!

December 30 2011 at 6:33 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Buckingham's

What a reunion there will be in Heaven, Kaye! Rest in peace, and God bless. You were GREAT!

December 30 2011 at 6:01 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
ndobedo

Sandman7733, you are so right on with your comments. Rest in peace Kaye !

December 30 2011 at 4:41 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
rlwdsi

Sad. Another rung gone from the ladder of real talent!

December 30 2011 at 4:16 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
Sandra Kelemen

So ny2fla82 I agree with you. No one is having fun on T.V. anymore, it's all bad negative energy even King of Queens as funny as it is has a mean-spirited thing about it. Other than Seinfeld re-runs and Saturday night live, and sometimes Kimmel where are the uproarious laughs we used to have?

December 30 2011 at 3:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Sandra Kelemen's comment
heatseek1

you would not believe how in agreement I am with with you. If is not cops and robbers and sex in an hour, it is sex and cops and robbers in an hour. Give me football, at least no cops and robbers, save the referees, and cheerleaders, well, i guess, same old, same old.

January 02 2012 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bmitche

The Rat Pack will be waiting to greet you !

December 30 2011 at 3:26 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply