Happy Birthday, Inger

Inger during filming of House of Cards. This is
currently my favorite photo of Inger. 
Source: Scan from an original photo in my collection.

Inger Stevens was born Inger Stensland on October 18, 1934. It's hard to imagine she would be 86 years old today. If she were around today, would she be painting by the shore with a cozy cottage just steps away? Or would she finally be embracing a life of travel, as she mentioned yearning to do in many interviews? Would she be with a longterm partner (reconciled with Ike Jones or perhaps someone new) and maybe have a child and grandchildren, or would she be embracing the single life and taking time for herself and her life's goals? 

Which film would she recall as being her favorite?  Would she have a Golden Globe or Academy Award on a shelf in her home? Would she have transitioned into being a notable director and/or producer? 

Would she be happily heading her own charitable organization to help children with special needs?  Would she have resembled the aged version of herself that The Farmer's Daughter makeup team helped her achieve to film the second season episode, "Katy's 76th Birthday"?

Inger made up to be 76 years old in 1964.
Source:eBay

Inger and William Windom in
aging makeup.
Source: Mr. Television, Sitcoms Online

We can only imagine where Inger might be today, but all of these possibilities put a smile on my face as I write this. What a broad range of talent and passion our Inger possessed! What a remarkable life she lived in the brief 35 years she was here.

Whatever Inger may have embraced post-1970, we can rest assured she would have tackled life and work with her trademark wit, a streak of rebelliousness and absolutely on her own authentic terms.

Happy Birthday, dear Inger.