Diana Lynn | |
|---|---|
 Lynn in 1952 | |
| Born | Dolores Eartha Loehr (1926-07-05)July 5, 1926 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 18, 1971(1971-12-18) (aged 45) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Church of Heavenly Rest, New York |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1939–1971 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 4, includingDolly Hall[1] |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Diana Marie Lynn (bornDolores Eartha Loehr, July 5, 1926[2] – December 18, 1971) was an American actress. She built her career by starring inParamount Pictures films and various television series during the 1940s and 1950s. Two stars on theHollywood Walk of Fame are dedicated to her name.
Lynn was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Louis Loehr, was an oil supply executive, and her mother, Martha Loehr, was a concert pianist.[3] Lynn was considered achild prodigy.[4] She began taking piano lessons at age 4,[5] and by the age of 12 was playing with the Los Angeles Junior Symphony Orchestra.
Lynn made her film debut playing the piano inThey Shall Have Music [5] and was once again back at the keyboard, accompanyingSusanna Foster, inThere's Magic in Music, when it was decided that she had more potential than she had been allowed to show.Paramount Pictures changed her name to "Diana Lynn" and began casting her in films that allowed her to show her personality and developed her skills as an actress.
Her comedic scenes withGinger Rogers inThe Major and the Minor were well received, and in 1944 she co-starred inPreston Sturges'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek withBetty Hutton. She appeared in twoHenry Aldrich films and played writerEmily Kimbrough in two filmsOur Hearts Were Young and Gay andOur Hearts Were Growing Up both co-starringGail Russell.
After a few more films, she was cast in one of the year's biggest successes, the comedyMy Friend Irma withMarie Wilson as Irma, andDean Martin andJerry Lewis in their film debuts. The group reprised their roles for thesequelMy Friend Irma Goes West, and five years later Lynn was reunited withMartin and Lewis for one of their last films,You're Never Too Young.
During the 1950s, Lynn acted in a number of films, portrayingSpencer Tracy's daughter in the crime dramaThe People Against O'Hara and the female lead in the much lampoonedBedtime for Bonzo oppositeRonald Reagan. Lynn co-starred as the schoolteacher in the 1955 film,The Kentuckian, starring Burt Lancaster and Walter Matthau. She also had many TV leading roles during the 1950s, particularly in the middle years of the decade. As a solo pianist, she released at least one single onCapitol Records[6] with backing by thePaul Weston orchestra.
In 1964, Lynn had a six-month stint onBroadway, replacingBarbara Bel Geddes inMary, Mary.[4] In the early 1950s, she starred withMaurice Evans inThe Wild Duck on Broadway.[7]
She also starred in runs ofThe Moon Is Blue in the United States and the United Kingdom.[8]
In 1947, a three-record album of Lynn's piano playing included Mozart'sRondo,Laura, andBody and Soul.[9]
She acted frequently in television guest roles throughout the 1960s. By 1970, she had relocated toNew York City, where she was running a travel agency. She appeared inCompany of Killers, a film made for television. Paramount then offered her a part in a new film,Play It as It Lays, and after some consideration, Lynn accepted the offer and moved back to Los Angeles.[10]
In 1968, Lynn invited her friendMart Crowley to housesit for her while she was out of town. While at her house over those five weeks, Crowley wrote the majority of his groundbreaking play aboutLGBT life in America,The Boys in the Band.[11]
Lynn married architect John C. Lindsay December 18, 1948; they divorced in June 1953.[12] Lynn was then married in 1956 to Mortimer Hall, son ofNew York Post publisherDorothy Schiff.[13]
Lynn's daughterDolly Hall is a film producer.[citation needed]
Another daughter, Margaret "Daisy" Hall,[14] is an alumna of theEmma Willard School for Girls in Troy, New York, and as an actress, has starred in numerous French- and lesser-known American-produced films, during the 1980s, '90s, and 2000s.[15][14]
Before filming started onPlay It as It Lays, Lynn suffered a stroke and died on December 18, 1971,[16] at the age of 45.[10] Lynn was cremated. A funeral service was held at Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City, and a memorial service was held at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, California.[8][3]
In 1942,Parents magazine named Lynn "the most talented juvenile actress."[17] She has two stars on theHollywood Walk of Fame: for motion pictures, at 1625 Vine Street and for television at 6350 Hollywood Boulevard.[18]
| Year | Program | Episode/source |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Theatre Guild on the Air | "The Silver Whistle"[19] |
| 1953 | Theatre Guild on the Air | Quiet Wedding[20] |
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| People | |
| Other | |
