Paula Prentiss, born Paula Ragusa on March 4, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas, is an American actress known for her roles in films such as "Where the Boys Are" (1960), "Man's Favorite Sport?" (1964), "What's New Pussycat?" (1965), "Catch-22" (1970), "The Parallax View" (1974), and "The Stepford Wives" (1975).

She was discovered by a talent scout while studying drama at Northwestern University in 1958 and was signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which launched her career. She is also known for her height, standing at 5 feet 10 inches, which made her one of the tallest actresses of her time.

Paula Prentiss married actor and director Richard Benjamin in 1961, and they have two children, Ross Benjamin and Prentiss Benjamin. The couple often worked together, most notably on the CBS sitcom "He & She" (1967-1968), for which Prentiss received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Paula Prentiss was known for her natural comedic talent and her ability to bring wit and charm to her roles. She often collaborated with actors such as Rock Hudson, Jim Hutton, and her husband Richard Benjamin.

Despite her success, Prentiss had a nervous breakdown during the filming of "What's New Pussycat?" (1965), which led her to take a break from acting. However, she made several comebacks over the years, including guest appearances on television shows like "Love, American Style," "Diagnosis: Murder," and "Will & Grace."

Her most recent project was the horror-thriller "I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House" (2016). Her contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized, and she was chosen by Cannes Film Festival as one of the "500 Names that Made Cannes."