Early Life
Prentiss was born Paula Ragusa in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Paulene (née Gardner) and Thomas J. Ragusa, who was a Social Sciences professor at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Prentiss' father was of Italian descent. Prentiss was always the tallest person in her school classes. She attended Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. In 1958, while attending Northwestern University's school of drama, she met her future husband, Richard Benjamin, who also impressed her with his sophistication. He was taller than she was While still a student at Northwestern, she was discovered and offered a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film contract. Prentiss initially intended to be a doctor, but somehow became involved with theater while at Northwestern.
Read more about this topic: Paula Prentiss
Famous quotes related to early life:
“... business training in early life should not be regarded solely as insurance against destitution in the case of an emergency. For from business experience women can gain, too, knowledge of the world and of human beings, which should be of immeasurable value to their marriage careers. Self-discipline, co-operation, adaptability, efficiency, economic management,—if she learns these in her business life she is liable for many less heartbreaks and disappointments in her married life.”
—Hortense Odlum (1892–?)