The Allure of Debra Paget: Elvis’ Obsession and Unfulfilled Proposals
Debra Paget, the stunning actress who rose to fame in the 1950s, captivated audiences and even caught the eye of the legendary director Cecil B DeMille, who described her as being “touched by the hand of God.” Notably, Elvis Presley himself became infatuated with her.
Born Dabralee Griffin on August 19, 1933, in Denver, Colorado, Paget changed her name as she pursued a career in Hollywood. Growing up in a showbiz family, her parents relocated to Los Angeles in the 1930s to be closer to the flourishing film industry. Her sisters, Tala Loring and Lisa Gaye, also had successful careers in film and television.
Paget, who aspired to become a dancer, attended the Hollywood Professional School at the age of 11, encouraged by her mother. Her talent shone through as she landed her first professional role at the age of eight and subsequently starred in a production of Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”
At 14, she embarked on her motion picture career and gained significant recognition with her breakthrough role in “Broken Arrow” (1950), acting alongside James Stewart. Her “exotic” appearance earned her roles in adventure dramas, and she became known as the only starlet who had never been kissed.
In the 1950s, Paget earned the accolade of having “the most beautiful legs in the world” in a poll conducted by the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers, winning by a wide margin. Her religious beliefs were deeply ingrained, and she attributed her success to being “touched by the hand of God.”
Paget signed an exclusive contract with 20th Century Fox at the age of 14. However, it was her role as Lilia, the water girl, in Cecil B. DeMille’s monumental biblical epic, “The Ten Commandments,” produced by Paramount Pictures, that became her most significant achievement. Despite the challenges of wearing uncomfortable contact lenses due to the klieg lights on set, the movie, which won seven Academy Awards, forever changed Paget’s life.
Debra Paget (Lilia) still alive, born 1933. #TheTenCommandments pic.twitter.com/OX4gSv07zt
— ross (@ross_rlz) April 21, 2019
It was during the filming of “Love Me Tender” (1956), Elvis Presley’s first movie, that Paget and the young singer first met. Their initial encounter occurred on the set of the Milton Berle Show on June 5, 1956, where Elvis stunned conservative America with his now-iconic pelvis gyrations during his performance of “Hound Dog.” Despite initial reservations about Elvis, Paget found him to be pleasant, sincere, and obliging when they were formally introduced.
Months later, Paget starred alongside Elvis in “Love Me Tender.” Elvis developed an infatuation with her and even visited her parents’ house. Their relationship, however, was more akin to family rather than a whirlwind romance. Paget viewed herself as shy, quiet, and emotionally immature, while Elvis seemed to have a different perspective. He even proposed marriage, but her parents objected, and she respected their wishes. Eventually, she fell in love with Howard Hughes, a renowned film producer and billionaire, and declined Elvis’ proposal.
Although Paget later married actor and singer David Street, she maintained a fondness for Elvis throughout her life. Elvis, too, seemed to have been influenced by Paget’s appearance, as it was reported that young Priscilla Beaulieu changed her hairstyle and makeup to emulate the “Debra Paget look.”
Debra Paget retired from the entertainment industry in 1964 and currently enjoys a quiet life at the age of 89. Limited information is available about her present-day activities, suggesting that she prefers to maintain a private existence away from the public eye.
Interestingly, Elvis Presley’s proposal to Debra in the late 1950s was not the only instance where he expressed a desire to marry a co-star. Following their collaboration on the film “Blue Hawaii” in 1961, Elvis also contemplated marrying Joan Blackman, even though he was in a relationship with Priscilla at the time.
Joan Blackman, who bore a striking resemblance to Priscilla, shared her perspective on the events that transpired during the making of “Blue Hawaii.” In a sensational interview with the Midnight Globe newspaper in 1977, she recalled the initial encounter between her and Elvis in 1957, describing it as a moment filled with sparks and a palpable magic. She emphasized the special connection they shared, which was at times warm and enchanting, almost tangible.
According to Joan, Elvis genuinely desired her as his wife and persistently implored her to appear in his films. However, she consistently declined his offers, asserting that she sought roles based on her talent rather than her relationship with Elvis.
Joan Blackman’s refusal to be cast in Elvis’s movies stemmed from her desire to be recognized for her abilities rather than her association with the renowned singer. She remained firm in her resolve to secure roles based on merit, independent of her romantic involvement with Elvis.