Diana Chesney

Diana Chesney (17 November 1916 – 7 May 2004) was a British-American character actress whose career spanned British cinema, American television, and stage productions over five decades. She is best known for playing Sybil Finch on the CBS sitcom Fair Exchange (1962–1963), and for voicing Mrs. Judson in Disney’s The Great Mouse Detective.

Early life Chesney was born in Mandalay, British Burma, where her father served as a British Army major.

Move to the United States

In 1961, Chesney was cast in the CBS sitcom Fair Exchange, one of the first hour-long comedy series on U.S. television where she played Sybil Finch, the British mother in a family who swapped daughters with an American family. The show filmed in Los Angeles and aired for one season before being shortened and ultimately canceled. She once recounted that she was cast after an unexpected audition in London set up by actor Victor Maddern, her friend and co-star.

She also appearing twice Bewitched, first in 1965 as Aunt Hagatha and later 1971 ad Aunt Enchantra.

Chesney was often described as “supercharged with energy—witty, opinionated, talkative,” praising her insight into American and British cultural differences.

Later life Chesney settled in Malibu before relocating to Topanga Canyon in the early 1970s. A noted automobile enthusiast, she brought her vintage 1932 Rolls-Royce from England and later bought a Cadillac for daily use.

Death Diana Chesney died of cancer at age 87 on 7 May 2004, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, at the MPTF retirement home.

Filmography Film

Year Title Role Notes 1948 Love in Waiting Gladys 1950 Soho Conspiracy Rosa 1956They Never LearnInspector 1957 Son of a Stranger Mrs. Peck 1957 All at Sea (aka Barnacle Bill) Mrs. Figg 1957 Rock You Sinners Actress 1957 It Could Be You Actress 1959 Man Accused Actress Uncredited 1959 Top Floor Girl Miss Prentice 1960 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Barmaid Uncredited 1960 In the Nick Barmaid 1960 The Shakedown Purple Woman 1961 Dangerous Afternoon Woman Customer at Chemist 1961 Three on a Spree Dowager Uncredited 1962 Strongroom (film) Charlady 1966 Munster, Go Home! Mrs. Moresby 1967 The King's Pirate Molvina MacGregor 1974 Airport 1975 Diana Uncredited 1976 Swashbuckler (film) Landlady 1986 The Great Mouse Detective Mrs. Judson (voice) Animated film 1986 Three's Company Maid Segment: "The Surgeon" 1988 Doin' Time on Planet Earth Teacher Uncredited 1991 Switch Mrs. Weatherspoon 1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Villager Final film role

Television

Year(s) Title Role Notes 1953 Rheingold Theatre Maid 1 episode 1955 Quatermass II Secretary 1 episode 1956 The Secrets of the Prairie Paddy 3 episodes 1957 The Grove Family Mrs. Crichton-Evans 1 episode 1957–1961 The Vise Various 8 episodes 1958 ITV Television Playhouse Mrs. Stark 1 episode 1958 Dead Trouble Madame Juliette 3 episodes 1959 Charlesworth Ella 1 episode 1959 No Hiding Place Customer 1 episode 1960 Interpol Calling Emma 1 episode, uncredited 1960 Man from Interpol Mullins 1 episode 1962 Signpost Ugly Sister 1 episode 1962–1963 Fair Exchange Sybil Finch 15 episodes 1963 Glynis Miss Fuller 1 episode 1964 The Rogues Mrs. Carey 1 episode 1965 The Baileys of Balboa Lady Cowdry 1 episode 1965–1966 The Farmer’s Daughter Various roles 3 episodes 1966 The Monkees Mrs. Weefers 1 episode 1965–1971 Bewitched Aunt Hagatha / Aunt Enchantra 2 episodes 1968–1971 Hogan's Heroes Multiple roles incl. Berta Burkhalter 4 episodes 1969 Land of the Giants Nell 1 episode 1970 Nanny and the Professor Dr. Lois Hire 1 episode 1971 Night Gallery Maid Segment: "The Diary", 1 episode 1972 Anna and the King Lady Ramsey 1 episode 1973 McMillan & Wife Flo 1 episode 1974 Cannon Cleaning Woman 1 episode 1975 The Six Million Dollar Man Jessica 1 episode, uncredited 1976 Ellery Queen Edna, the Maid 1 episode 1978 Rescue from Gilligan’s Island Mrs. Fellows TV movie 1981 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Hag 1 episode 1982 Help Wanted: Male Hilda TV movie 1982 Fantasy Island The Old Hag 1 episode 1983–1984 General Hospital Ward Sister Corley 3 episodes