Stevie Phillips Memoir Set for Adaptation

Athena Pictures and American Entertainment Investors are developing a series based on the life of Stevie Phillips, who served as tour manager to Judy Garland and went on to represent a slew of other Hollywood stars.

Billed as a Mad Men-style drama series, the project is based on Phillips’ memoir, Judy & Liza & Robert & Freddie & David & Sue & Me. Stevie is being penned by Andra Gordon, who set up the new Athena Pictures venture with Sarena Khan to focus on “prestige content for a wide audience, with a strong focus on underrepresented voices and global stories.” Phillips will serve as a consulting producer on the show.

Gordon and Khan of Athena will executive produce alongside Zak Kilberg of Social Construct Films. Scott Winant (Good Girls Revolt, Californication) is executive producing and directing the pilot episode. The show will follow Phillips’ rise from secretary to tour manager, agent and producer. As an agent, her roster of clients included Liza Minelli, Robert Redford, Cat Stevens, Al Pacino and David Bowie.

“Stevie is a true inspiration who paved the way for women in the entertainment industry,” Gordon said. “She is an unapologetic, strategic force of nature who in her own words ‘learned to play her cards close to her chest and never fold.’ I’m honored to be able to tell her story, which reflects many other women’s stories coming up in the business, including my own.”

Winant noted, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this compelling project that brings to light the life of an extraordinary woman. Stevie Phillips broke gender barriers and became a true pioneer in the industry. I’m especially excited to collaborate with Andra and Sarena, who represent the next generation of female powerhouses.”