Diana Lewis

Birthday: 1919-09-18
Deathday: 1997-01-18
Birthplace: Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
Gender: Female
Owned By: Unowned

Diana Lewis was born on September 18, 1919 in Ashbury Park, New Jersey. Her parents were vaudeville performers. The family moved to Hollywood and Diana, her sister Maxine, and her brother J.C. all went into show business. Diana made her film debut in the 1934 comedy It's A Gift. At the age of sixteen she married actor Jay Faye. She landed a contract with MGM and appeared in movies like Andy Hardy Meets Debutante and Bitter Sweet. While making Gold Diggers In Paris she became close friends with actress Carole Landis. Diana's marriage to Jay ended in 1939. That same year she met actor William Powell who was more than twenty years older than she. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple eloped on January 6, 1940. Diana had supporting roles in the films Johnny Eager and Cry Havoc. She decided to quit acting in 1943 and devoted herself to being a full-time wife. By all accounts Diana and William enjoyed one of Hollywood's happiest marriages. He gave her the nickname "Mousie" because she was so petite. They had no children but Diana was very close to her stepson William David Powell. She spent much of her time doing charity work and playing golf. In 1984 William passed away at the age of ninety-one. Diana continued to live a quiet life in Palm Springs. She died from pancreatic cancer on January 18, 1997. Diana is buried with William at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.

Credits

Year Title Character
1943-11-23 Cry 'Havoc' Nydia
1942-12-31 Whistling in Dixie Ellamae Downs
1942-11-13 Seven Sweethearts Mrs. Nugent, a Newlywed
1941-12-09 Johnny Eager Judy Sanford
1941-05-02 The People Vs. Dr. Kildare Fay Lennox
1940-12-06 Go West Eve Wilson
1940-11-08 Bitter Sweet Jane
1940-07-05 Andy Hardy Meets Debutante Daphne Fowler
1940-04-26 Forty Little Mothers Marcia
1939-04-12 First Offenders Ann Blakeley
1938-06-11 Gold Diggers in Paris Golddigger
1938-03-19 He Couldn't Say No Iris Mabby
1937-03-26 Love Nest on Wheels The Bride
1936-02-21 Grand Slam Opera The Girl Downstairs
1935-01-04 Enter Madame Operator
1934-11-30 It's a Gift Miss Dunk