Diane Cilento facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Diane Cilento
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Cilento in 1954
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| Born | 2 April 1932 Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia
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| Died | 6 October 2011 (aged 79) Cairns, Queensland, Australia
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1950–2011 |
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| Children | 2, including Jason Connery |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Margaret Cilento (sister) |
Diane Cilento (born April 2, 1932 – died October 6, 2011) was a talented Australian actress and writer. She was famous for her roles in movies like Tom Jones (1963), which earned her an Academy Award nomination. She also starred in Hombre (1967) and The Wicker Man (1973). Diane was also nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Helen of Troy in the play Tiger at the Gates.
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Early Life and Education
Diane Cilento was born in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia. Her parents, Phyllis and Raphael Cilento, were both doctors. Diane was one of six children, and four of her siblings also became doctors. Her sister, Margaret, became an artist.
From a young age, Diane knew she wanted to be an actress. After leaving school in Australia, she studied in New York while living with her father. Later, she won a special scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She moved to Britain in the early 1950s to pursue her acting dreams.
Acting Career Highlights
After finishing her studies, Diane quickly found work on stage. She signed a five-year contract with a famous film producer, Alexander Korda. Her first main role in a movie was in the British film Passage Home (1955). She acted alongside another Australian star, Peter Finch.
Diane continued to get many roles in British films. In 1956, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Helen in the play Tiger at the Gates. This was a big achievement for her.
In 1963, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Tom Jones. The next year, she appeared in The Third Secret.
She also starred with famous actor Paul Newman in the 1967 western film Hombre. Another notable role was in the 1973 film The Wicker Man.
Diane kept acting in films and on television. In the 1980s, she moved to Mossman, Australia. There, she built her own outdoor theater called "Karnak" in the rainforest. This allowed her to try out new and exciting types of plays.
In 2001, Diane received the Centenary Medal. This award recognized her amazing contributions to the arts, especially in theater.
Personal Life
Diane Cilento was married three times. In 1955, she married Andrea Volpe, an Italian nobleman. They had a daughter named Giovanna in 1957. They later divorced in 1962.
In 1962, Diane married the famous actor Sean Connery. They had a son, Jason, who was born in 1963. Diane and Sean separated in 1971 and divorced in 1974.
Her third marriage was to playwright Anthony Shaffer in 1985. They had met in 1972 while working on The Wicker Man film. They stayed together until Anthony's death in 2001.
Later Years and Passing
Diane Cilento passed away from cancer on October 6, 2011. She died at Cairns Base Hospital in Australia.
Selected Film and Television Roles
- Passage Home (1955)
- The Admirable Crichton (1957)
- Tom Jones (1963)
- Hombre (1967)
- The Wicker Man (1973)
- Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left (1993–1994) – TV series
Writings
Diane Cilento was also a writer. She wrote:
- The Manipulator (1967) – a novel
- Hybrid (1970) – a novel
- My Nine Lives (2007) – her autobiography, which tells her life story
See also
In Spanish: Diane Cilento para niños
