Stephanie Deste

Born into a musical family, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, but she commenced her dramatic career in the United States, where she had some small roles in silent films with Douglas Fairbanks.[1] She also appeared in stage productions with the likes of Tyrone Power Sr. and John Barrymore.[1]

In Australia, she first gained public attention as an actor and dancer, particularly through the original 1926 Melbourne production of Rose-Marie. She also appeared in many other J C Williamson's productions throughout Australia.[2]

Stephanie Deste was well known for attending most first nights at all Melbourne live theatres.

Barry Humphries claims that Deste was one of the inspirations behind his most famous character Dame Edna Everage. This particularly applies to Dame Edna's flamboyant spectacle frames.[4][5][6] Perhaps only one photo of Deste wearing pretentious glasses is known to exist in the public domain.[7]

Robert Helpmann also cites Deste as one of the influences over his dancing and acting career.[1]

In 1938, Deste opened the first in a small chain of beauty salons (ladies' hairdressing establishments) in the Melbourne Central Business District, the initial salon being on the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Streets.[1] Originally, known as Make Ups Pty Ltd, her partner was Doris Rourke.

After being in business together for less than twelve months, Deste and Rourke had a major dispute that ended up in court. Rourke claimed that Deste was breaking their agreement by spending too much time on theatrical and broadcasting matters. Deste was also accused of rudeness. Mr Justice Lowe agreed with most of what Deste wanted.

Rourke left the company, which then continued under a new name, Stephanie Deste Pty Ltd. Ironically, the new name had been first suggested by Rourke who didn't want the business to continue under a name with which she had been associated.[8]

Just after arriving in Australia in the late 1920s, Deste broadcast Bible stories for the Australian Broadcasting Company, predecessor of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and just a few years' later she was also cast in radio dramas for the Australian Broadcasting Company and the Australian Broadcasting Commission.[9][10]

Her many quirks were particularly noted in her unusual radio style, which were highlighted when she recommenced broadcasting on 3UZ just after World War II, presenting beauty hints and live advertisements for her beauty salons during the morning women's programs. In the late 1940s, Deste transferred to 3DB where she continued to broadcast until the early 1960s. As well as regular appearances in the morning programs, as from February 1954 she presented a half-hour program, Sunday Night with Stephanie Deste at 10.30 pm on a Sunday night.[11] The program was sponsored by the Stephie Deste Pty Ltd beauty salons. It is believed that this time-slot was the cheapest offered by 3DB at the time.[12] The program mainly consisted of interviews with show business personalities, both locals but, particularly, with artistes visiting from overseas. However, this eccentric program was usually more about Deste than about the people she was interviewing. Despite its late time-slot, Sunday Night with Stephanie Deste was popular with show-biz aficionados.