Debra Paget was a striking beauty during her peak, mesmerizing countless fans when she co-starred with Elvis Presley in his film debut, Love Me Tender. The legendary director Cecil B. DeMille once remarked that she was blessed by divine touch. Even the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ couldn’t resist her allure.
Born as Dabralee Griffin on August 19, 1933, in Denver, Colorado, she later adopted the name Debra Paget as she pursued a career in Hollywood. Despite her family’s financial struggles during the Great Depression, Debra always aspired to dance and cherished the love that enriched her upbringing.
‘Most Beautiful Legs in the World’
With the encouragement of her mother, Debra enrolled in the Hollywood Professional School at just 11 years old. Her talents blossomed early, securing her first professional role at the age of eight in a production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Her film career launched at 14, with her momentous break in 1950 playing opposite James Stewart in Broken Arrow. She portrayed a Native American maiden named Sonseeahray, enchanting audiences with her exotic appearance. By the 1950s, she was celebrated as having ‘the most beautiful legs in the world,’ a title earned through a poll conducted by the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers.
At 14, Debra signed an exclusive contract with 20th Century Fox, but it was her role in The Ten Commandments that marked her career’s pinnacle. Cast by Cecil B. DeMille as Lilia, the water girl, she had to wear uncomfortable brown contact lenses due to her natural blue eyes. The film’s success, winning seven Academy Awards, forever changed her life and is regarded as one of her career highlights.
Meeting Elvis
By the time Debra Paget was cast in Love Me Tender, she was already a renowned Hollywood star at 22. She first encountered Elvis months earlier during the Milton Berle Show, where he famously scandalized America with his energetic performance of “Hound Dog.” Despite mixed opinions about him, Debra found Elvis to be quite charming upon meeting him.
Their introduction was memorable. Elvis approached her with genuine politeness, leaving a strong initial impression.
The Proposal
During their time working together on Love Me Tender, Elvis became infatuated with Debra, even visiting her family home. While their relationship was more akin to a familial bond, Elvis viewed it differently. He proposed, but Debra, respecting her parents’ wishes, declined.
Despite turning him down, Debra always held fond memories of Elvis. Interestingly, many believe that Debra’s distinctive look influenced Elvis’s preferences for his future partners, evident in details like young Priscilla Beaulieu mimicking Debra’s style.
Debra left the entertainment world in 1964 and now enjoys a quiet life at 89 years old.
Elvis and Joan Blackman
Elvis’s inclination to propose wasn’t unique to Debra. After filming Blue Hawaii with Joan Blackman in 1961, he also expressed a desire to marry her, even while maintaining a relationship with Priscilla.
Joan, resembling Priscilla, recalled the rapport they shared. Despite Elvis’s fervor, Joan prioritized her career over their relationship, asserting her desire for roles based on merit rather than her connection with Elvis.
