Stella Luchetta is a name that might not ring a bell for many people, but she was the partner of Ellen Corby, a famous American actress and screenwriter. Luchetta and Corby had a close and secretive relationship for nearly five decades, until Corby’s death in 1999. Who was Stella Luchetta, and what was her bond with Ellen Corby? Here is what we know about her.
Early Life and Career
There is not much information available about Stella Luchetta’s early life and career. She was born in the early 20th century, but the exact date and place of her birth are unknown. She was of Italian descent, and her surname means “little light” in Italian. She met Ellen Corby in 1954, and they became inseparable ever since. Luchetta was reportedly a nurse, and she took care of Corby after she suffered a stroke in 1976. Luchetta also appeared in some of Corby’s movies and TV shows, such as The Waltons, The Homecoming, and A Walton Easter, as an extra or a minor character.
Relationship with Ellen Corby
Ellen Corby was a renowned actress and screenwriter, best known for her role as Esther “Grandma” Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons. She won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for her performance. Corby was married to cinematographer Francis Corby from 1934 to 1944, but they divorced with no children. After that, she started living with Stella Luchetta, whom she presented as her friend to the public. However, some sources claim that they were actually in a romantic relationship, and that they kept it hidden due to the social stigma and discrimination against homosexuality at the time. Luchetta and Corby shared a house in Hollywood Hills, and they were devoted to each other. Luchetta was with Corby on her last days, and the last word that Corby said was “Love You” to Luchetta.
Death and Legacy
Stella Luchetta’s death date and cause are also unknown, but she presumably died sometime after Ellen Corby, who passed away on April 14, 1999, at the age of 87. Luchetta and Corby are buried next to each other at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Their relationship was a quiet and private one, but it was also a long and loving one. They were together for almost 50 years, and they supported each other through the ups and downs of life. Stella Luchetta’s bio might be a mystery, but her bond with Ellen Corby was a beautiful one.