Diana Lynn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diana Lynn
Lynn in 1946
Born	Dolores Eartha Loehr (1926-07-05)July 5, 1926 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	December 18, 1971(1971-12-18) (aged 45) New York City, U.S.
Resting place	Church of Heavenly Rest, New York
Years active	1939–1971
Spouse(s)	John C. Lindsey (1948–1953) (divorced) Mortimer Hall (1956–1971; her death)
Children	4, including Dolly Hall

Diana Marie Lynn (born Dolores Eartha Loehr; July 5, 1926 – December 18, 1971) was an American actress. She was also a talented pianist from a young age.

Early Life and Acting Career

Diana Lynn was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Louis Loehr, worked in the oil industry. Her mother, Martha Loehr, was a concert pianist. Diana was considered a child prodigy because she was very talented at a young age. She started piano lessons when she was just four years old. By the time she was 12, she was playing with the Los Angeles Junior Symphony Orchestra.

Diana first appeared in a film playing the piano in They Shall Have Music. She also played piano in There's Magic in Music. Film studio Paramount Pictures saw her potential. They changed her name to "Diana Lynn." Then, they started giving her roles that let her show her personality and acting skills.

Rising to Stardom

Diana's funny scenes with Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor were very popular. In 1944, she had a big success in Preston Sturges' movie The Miracle of Morgan's Creek. She also appeared in two films about the Henry Aldrich and played writer Emily Kimbrough in Our Hearts Were Young and Gay and Our Hearts Were Growing Up. Both of these films also starred Gail Russell.

After a few more movies, Diana Lynn was cast in a very successful comedy. This was My Friend Irma. She starred with Marie Wilson as Irma. This movie was also the film debut for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. The cast then made a sequel called My Friend Irma Goes West. Five years later, Lynn worked with Martin and Lewis again in one of their last films together, You're Never Too Young.

Films and Television in the 1950s

During the 1950s, Diana Lynn acted in many films. She played Spencer Tracy's daughter in the crime movie The People Against O'Hara. She also had the main female role in Bedtime for Bonzo, where she starred with Ronald Reagan. In 1955, Lynn played the schoolteacher in The Kentuckian. This movie starred Burt Lancaster and Walter Matthau. She also had many leading roles on television during the 1950s. As a solo pianist, she released at least one song with Capitol Records.

Stage Performances

In 1964, Diana Lynn acted on Broadway for six months. She took over a role in the play Mary, Mary. In the early 1950s, she also starred with Maurice Evans in The Wild Duck on Broadway. She also performed in plays of The Moon Is Blue in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music Recordings

In 1947, Diana Lynn released an album of her piano playing. It included classical pieces like Mozart's Rondo. It also had popular songs like Laura and Body and Soul.

Later Years and Passing

Diana Lynn supported the Democratic Party. She often appeared in television guest roles throughout the 1960s. By 1970, she had moved to New York City. There, she was running a travel agency. She appeared in Company of Killers, a movie made for television. Then, Paramount Pictures offered her a part in a new film, Play It as It Lays. After thinking about it, Lynn accepted the role and moved back to Los Angeles.

In 1968, Diana Lynn let her friend Mart Crowley stay at her house. While there, Crowley wrote most of his famous play, The Boys in the Band.

Before filming started on Play It as It Lays, Diana Lynn became very ill. She died on December 18, 1971, at the age of 45. Her funeral service was held in New York City. A memorial service was also held in Beverly Hills, California.

Achievements and Recognition

In 1942, Parents magazine called Diana Lynn "the most talented juvenile actress." She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for her work in motion pictures, and the other is for her television work.

Family Life

Diana Lynn married architect John C. Lindsay in 1948. They divorced in 1953. In 1956, she married Mortimer Hall. He was the son of Dorothy Schiff, who published the New York Post newspaper.

Diana's daughter, Dolly Hall, is a film producer. Another daughter, Margaret "Daisy" Hall, also became an actress. She starred in many French and American films during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

Filmography

Television Roles

Radio Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Diana Lynn para niños