Stefanie Powers: Not Your Average Girl From U.N.C.L.E.

Looking at the stunningly beautiful Stefanie Powers today, it's hard to believe it was 45 years ago that she starred in "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E." a spinoff of the hugely popular '60s TV series "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." which had already run for two seasons.

Powers starred as April Dancer, the super sexy spy with a chic Carnaby Street wardrobe, which of course was heavy on the mini skirts and go-go boots, a staple ensemble in 1966. Rex Harrison’s son, Noel Harrison, played her hip British partner Mark Slate.

“The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.” along with “The Avengers” Emma Peel and Honey West were TV's first truly liberated crime fighters, even pre-dating Batgirl and Wonder Woman by a couple seasons.

Powers went on to star in ABC's "Hart To Hart" a more romantically inspired detective series with Robert Wagner, which ran for eight years and then did several spinoff movies afterward. “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.” remains a favorite project with fans, and Stefanie does autograph shows from time to time.

"I never knew the show would have such enduring popularity. It was done at MGM and knew we were onto something special, as the shows were funny, originally mounted, and so indicative of the '60s spy craze,” Stefanie said at an autograph show in Los Angeles where I caught up with her not long ago.

Recently, NBC announced it is developing a remake of the "Girl From U.N.C.L.E" and the producers are reportedly staying true to the original series.

Warner Brothers is currently planning a feature film remake of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," which could go into production in spring 2012.

Stefanie hopes to be included in the proposed "Girl From U.N.C.L.E." remake as a mentor to the "new girl on the block, so to speak," said Stefanie eyeing one of the photos of herself from 1966 on the table at the autograph show, in a silver jumpsuit and matching boots.

"You know, a lot of those fashions were cutting edge at the time. I really loved the wardrobe from that show. I wish I'd kept some of those outfits. I could've made a fortune on Ebay!" Stefanie said.

She added that she had “great fun” working on the show.

“And of course Noel was a darling to have as my partner, on the show I mean," she said, laughing.

For many years, Stefanie's real life partner was the late actor William Holden, with whom Stefanie started the William Holden Wildlife Foundation for their shared passion of animals and the preservation of wild game in the late 1950s – before conservation became a popular issue. She now serves as president for the public charity.

"The Foundation is an extremely large commitment," Stefanie writes on her web site, "but it's not something I entered into without understanding the full impact of the obligation. It's a lifelong commitment that sometimes monopolizes one hundred percent of my time."

Stefanie has also been very successful in musical theatre in recent years performing in shows like “Oliver,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “My Fair Lady.” A musical cabaret show has also been added to Stefanie's resume, with successful appearances in New York and San Francisco.

Hopefully, Palm Springs will be added to the list in 2012 as Stefanie hopes to appear in the Follies next summer.

"I love coming to my home in the desert, it's such a healthy alternative to life in the big city which as a performer can't really be avoided," Stefanie said.