Dyan Cannon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dyan Cannon
Cannon, c. 1960
Born	Samille Diane Friesen (1937-01-04) January 4, 1937 (age 88) Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Occupation	Actress director screenwriter producer editor
Years active	1958–present
Spouse(s)	Cary Grant ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1968)​ Stanley Fimberg ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 1991)​
Children	Jennifer Grant
Relatives	David Friesen (brother)

Dyan Cannon (born Samille Diane Friesen; January 4, 1937) is an American actress, filmmaker, and editor. She has won many awards for her work. These include a Saturn Award and a Golden Globe Award. She has also been nominated for three Academy Awards. Dyan Cannon has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1973 and 1979, she was named Female Star of the Year.

Cannon started her TV career in 1958. Her big movie break came in 1969 with the comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. For this role, she was nominated for an Academy Award. She received another Oscar nomination for Heaven Can Wait (1978). She also won a Golden Globe for this movie. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her main role in Such Good Friends (1971). Cannon was also nominated for an Academy Award for producing the short film Number One (1976).

Other movies she has been in include Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) and Deathtrap (1982). In 1990, she directed her first movie, The End of Innocence. She also wrote and starred in it. From 1997 to 2000, she had a regular role on the TV show Ally McBeal.

Dyan Cannon was married to actor Cary Grant for three years. They had one daughter, Jennifer. In 2011, Cannon wrote a book about her life with Cary Grant called Dear Cary. It became a bestseller. In 2023, her book was made into a TV show called Archie. Cannon helped produce this show.

Early Life and Beginnings

Dyan Cannon was born Samille Diane Friesen in Tacoma, Washington. Her birthday is January 4, 1937. Her mother was Jewish and her father was Baptist. Her younger brother is the jazz musician David Friesen.

When she was in high school, Cannon was crowned Miss West Seattle in 1954. She studied at the University of Washington for two and a half years. In 1957, she moved to Los Angeles. She started working as a part-time model. A movie producer named Jerry Wald suggested she change her last name to Cannon. She then signed with MGM and began studying acting.

Acting Career

Early Roles

Dyan Cannon's first movie was The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond in 1960. Before that, she had already appeared on TV shows. These included Bat Masterson and Wanted: Dead or Alive. She also acted on Broadway in a play called The Fun Couple in 1962. She later toured with the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Cannon also made guest appearances on shows like Gunsmoke and The Untouchables. After a few years, she took a break from acting.

Becoming a Star

Dyan Cannon in 1971

Dyan Cannon in 1988

Dyan Cannon's big breakthrough came in 1969 with the movie Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. This role earned her nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. In 1971, she starred in several films. These included The Love Machine and The Anderson Tapes with Sean Connery. She also starred in Such Good Friends, for which she got another Golden Globe nomination.

In 1973, she starred with Burt Reynolds in Shamus. She was named Actress of the Year by the National Association of Theatre Owners. Cannon also directed, wrote, produced, and edited a short film called Number One (1976). This film earned her an Oscar nomination.

In 1978, Cannon co-starred in Revenge of the Pink Panther. That same year, she was in Heaven Can Wait. For this movie, she received another Oscar nomination. She also won a Golden Globe Award and a Saturn Award. Cannon hosted Saturday Night Live and appeared on The Muppet Show. In 1979, she was voted Female Star of the Year by the Hollywood Women's Press Club.

In the 1980s, Cannon appeared in movies like Honeysuckle Rose (1980) with Willie Nelson. She also starred in Author! Author! (1982) with Al Pacino. In 1983, Dyan Cannon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was for her contributions to the film industry.

Later Work

In 1990, Dyan Cannon wrote, directed, and starred in The End of Innocence. She later appeared in Christmas in Connecticut (1992). This movie was directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

From 1997 to 2000, Cannon had a recurring role on the popular TV show Ally McBeal. She also appeared in movies like 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997) and Out to Sea (1997). In 2001 and 2002, she was a regular on the TV series Three Sisters.

In 2005, she was in Boynton Beach Club, a movie about older adults who have lost their spouses. Cannon returned to the stage in 2013 for a play called The Fox on the Fairway. In 2021, she acted in the family film Hope's Legacy.

Cannon's memoir, Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant, was published in 2011. She had been asked to write about her ex-husband before but turned down offers. In 2023, a four-part TV show based on her book, called Archie, was released. Cannon was an executive producer for the show.

Personal Life

In 1961, Dyan Cannon started dating actor Cary Grant. They were married on July 22, 1965. They had one daughter, Jennifer, who was born in 1966. Cannon and Grant divorced in 1968.

Cannon married Stanley Fimberg in 1985. They divorced in 1991, but they remain friends.

Dyan Cannon is a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. She is often seen at their games. She is also a born-again Christian.

Helping Others

Dyan Cannon has used her fame to help others. As a single mother, she became a spokesperson for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. This group helps children from single-parent homes. She has also supported other charities, like the Special Olympics. This event is for athletes with mental and physical disabilities. For 12 years, she hosted a Bible study group called God's Party.

Film and TV Roles

Dyan Cannon has appeared in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of them:

Stage Roles

Dyan Cannon has also performed in plays on stage.

Images for kids

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  Dyan Cannon around 1960

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  Dyan Cannon in 1971

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  Dyan Cannon in 1988

See also

In Spanish: Dyan Cannon para niños