She opens the doors to her house before her trip to France for Patrick Sabatier's show
"Tous a la Une" Friday, May 10 on TF 1.

STEPFANIE KRAMER: "MY SIX YEARS WITH 'HUNTER' WERE WONDERFUL"
 
.. .but DeeDee McCall has found a new reason for living since her departure from the series

While "Rick Hunter, shock detective" continues his investigations on TV,

Stepfanie Kramer (the beautiful DeeDee McCall) has begun a new career which passes through Europe. In

Rome and Luxembourg last summer for the filming of the TV movie "Coins in the

Fountain" (the remake of "The Fountain of Love" with Dorothy McGuire), the actress

comes to Paris this Friday, May 10, as a guest of Patrick Sabatier for his show "Tous a la

Une" (All in One). Since leaving her starring role on the famous series, Stepfanie has not

remained idle.

"Before, I worked 70 hours a week, six days out of seven." confides the actress of

Native American descent. "In other words, I was just so drained, both physically and

mentally. It was impossible in those conditions to travel or to devote yourself to another

passion. Since leaving "Hunter", I've finally been able to attend to myself. . ."

The first urge that Stepfanie wanted to satisfy? Record an album! "I've always

dreamed of becoming a singer," explains the star. She was born into it (music) since her

father was a violinist in the L.A. Philharmonic. "I couldn't stand not trying my luck in

this other artistic domain for too long. Telling me not to sing is like telling me not to

breathe anymore. Music nourishes my soul. Before becoming an actress, I was already

part of a group, the Doo-Wah Riders. I didn't try to use the fame that I acquired thanks to

the series in order to make a name for myself in singing. I want to pursue a new career."

In fact. if Stepfanie Kramer has broken the comfortable routine she had in place
with "Hunter", it's in large part because she would like to broaden her artistic horizons. 
 
The actress did not hesitate to completely put off her life in acting.

"It's a question of character." she adds. "When I left the series, I told myself that

I would be honest with myself and with what I have truly wanted to do. I was born

like this, it's my personality. I had to free myself in order to advance, to progress. With

the series, I'd long since reached the limits of my creativity."

There never was, as was believed in the beginning, conflict between Stepfanie

Kramer and Fred Dryer. "It's been said that we each wanted to be the 'star.' That's

completely untrue. I spent six marvelous years with Fred. He knows that music is

important in my life and he was happy for me. He supported me in my choice."

But we digress. For Stepfanie Kramer "Hunter" means nothing but good

memories in her career. Today, the actress devotes herself to her leisure: reading books of

science, religion, or philosophy. She has also returned to the workout program she'd had

to abandon for lack of time. "This means, weight-lifting, aerobics, dance, gymnastics. I

have a gym in my house in L.A.

"Since I left the series, I've started going out again, by myself. I don't work too

seriously."

The scripts are piling up on Stepfanie Kramer's desk and the film offers are not

lacking. However, the actress would like to first make the most of her life before plunging

back into work.

"I don't have any intention to quit acting." she explains. "But for the moment, I

want to take the opportunity to concentrate on my music. I would love to be able to

continue combining the two, doing TV and writing songs.

GENEROUS AND SENSITIVE

On the side of her private life, nothing has changed. At thirty-four years old, the

beautiful Stepfanie is still single. In January of last year, the actress went out with an

unknown writer, Kirby Tepper, who is two years younger than she. For him, she left

Robert Stenner, Fred Dryer's best friend. The American press has certainly grabbed on to

this story in order to explain the conflict between the two actors which, they say, provoked

the departure of Stepfanie Kramer.

Today, the actress would like to find a bit of balance in her private life so that she

can think about starting a family. "Children are still a wish that I would like to see come

true." she says dreamily.

As she has none of her own to care for, the actress devotes herself to the children

of others. "I work with an association in New Mexico, which sponsors Native American

children. We try to give them the means and instill the desire to learn. I am of Native

American descent. For me, it's important to take care of these young ones."

Generous and sensitive, Stepfanie Kramer devotes herself to others while not

forgetting herself. The actress has long followed a policy which she would like to share

with others. "It's important to challenge yourself and to move forward. If you don't ever

change, that means that you will never evolve. If you don't evolve, you are not truly

living. It is necessary to constantly push back the limits..."