A documentary showcasing the life of Carol Connors, titled *Elvis, Rocky & Me*, was featured at the 26th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival in Los Angeles on April 13, 2026. Connors, who is now 85 years old, took the opportunity to discuss her close relationship with the legendary Elvis Presley and how she believes a role in the 1976 rock musical *A Star Is Born* could have potentially altered the trajectory of his life.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/carol-connors-elvis-presley-041426-1-f795ef8588504d7a9848b8e60a3260bc.jpg)
The film, which stars Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, was a pivotal moment in the world of cinema and rock music. Many fans and historians have speculated on the impact that securing a role in this film could have had on Presley’s acting career. Connors believes that if Presley had played a part in the movie, it might have not only earned him an Academy Award nomination but also could have had profound effects on his personal life, possibly even saving it.
Connors, who once dated Presley and maintained a longstanding friendship, shared her thoughts with *People* magazine during the festival. “Diane Warren and Talia Shire, all three of us, we believe that if Elvis would have done *A Star Is Born*—because he was offered that—and it’s in the biopic, so it validates what I’m saying—we believe that he would have been nominated, probably not won, knowing the Oscars, but I believe it would have saved his life,” she expressed.
Presley had a long-standing desire to be recognised as a serious actor, not merely a musical icon. Connors insightfully noted that this aspiration was serious for Presley. “He wanted to be respected, not just as Elvis Presley, the performer, but as an actor,” she revealed, drawing attention to his admiration for cinematic greats like James Dean and Marlon Brando. “He was very film-oriented and loved cinema,” added Connors, suggesting that his passion for acting extended well beyond his career as a musician.
She also highlighted the challenges he faced in transitioning from a music career to acting, entirely attributing some of this to Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s long-time manager. Connors pointed out that Parker often placed Presley in light-hearted, low-quality films rather than allowing him to explore serious roles. “Colonel Parker kept putting him in these beachy-weechy, fluffy, puffy, wuffy films,” she lamented.
Priscilla Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s ex-wife, echoed Connors’ sentiments during a 2024 interview. She recounted Elvis’s frustrations with the types of films he was made to star in, stating, “He wanted to be in great movies, not the stupid movies that he did like *Girls! Girls! Girls!* That wasn’t Elvis.” Priscilla confirmed that it was Parker who discouraged Elvis from pursuing significant opportunities. She shared, “Barbra had offered him the part,” referring to *A Star Is Born*, with Parker reportedly claiming that Streisand would take centre stage, diverting focus from Presley.
Ultimately, the iconic role in *A Star Is Born* went to Kris Kristofferson, who shared the screen with Streisand in the film. The movie went on to achieve critical acclaim, winning an Academy Award and accumulating multiple nominations, thus securing its legacy as a significant remake in cinematic history. The story’s timeless appeal even led to a modern adaptation in 2018 starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
In her reflections, Connors underscored the potential she saw in Presley, citing his performance in the 1957 film *Jailhouse Rock*. “There are moments where you see that Elvis really is an actor, and I think *A Star Is Born* would have saved his life,” she concluded poignantly.
Elvis Presley passed away in August 1977 at the age of 42 due to a heart attack, only nine months after *A Star Is Born* was released. As discussions continue about his potential had he taken on that pivotal role, the artistic legacy of Elvis remains both celebrated and haunting, with fans left to wonder what might have been.