Diana Lewis

Diana Lewis (September 18, 1919 – January 18, 1997) was an American film actress and a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player.

Early years The daughter of vaudeville performers, Lewis was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles.

Career

Lewis was a singer with the orchestra led by Larry Leeds.

She began her film career in It's a Gift (1934) and worked steadily over the next few years, usually in minor roles. Her more notable films include It's a Gift, Gold Diggers in Paris (1938), Go West (1940), and Johnny Eager (1941). She was the love interest of Andy Hardy as Daphne Fowler in Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940).

Marriage Lewis met actor William Powell, who was 27 years her senior, at MGM in 1939. They married at a dude ranch in Nevada on January 5, 1940, after a courtship of less than a month.

Death Lewis died from pancreatic cancer in Rancho Mirage, California, aged 77. She was interred at Cathedral City's Desert Memorial Park in Riverside County, California, alongside Powell, and her stepson, William David Powell.

Affiliations and honors Lewis was an active supporter of women's golf and the LPGA. The LPGA's William and Mousie Powell Award is named in honor of the Powells.

In 2000, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to her.

Complete filmography Year Film Role Director Notes 1934 It's a Gift Betty Dunk Norman Z. McLeod 1935 One Hour Late Sick Woman's Daughter Ralph Murphy Uncredited Enter Madame Operator Elliott Nugent All the King's Horses Aggressive Chorine on Train Frank Tuttle Uncredited Choose Your Partners Short 1936 Grand Slam Opera The Girl Downstairs Charles Lamont Short 1937 Love Nest on Wheels The Bride Charles Lamont Short 1938 He Couldn't Say No Iris Mabby Lewis Seiler Gold Diggers in Paris Golddigger Busby Berkeley 1939 First Offenders Ann Blakeley 1940 Forty Little Mothers Marcia Busby Berkeley Andy Hardy Meets Debutante Daphne Fowler George B. Seitz Bitter Sweet Jane Go West Eve Wilson Edward Buzzell 1941 The People vs. Dr. Kildare Fay Lennox Harold S. Bucquet Johnny Eager Judy Sanford Mervyn LeRoy 1942 Whistling in Dixie Ellamae Downs S. Sylvan Simon Seven Sweethearts Mrs. Nugent Frank Borzage 1943 Cry 'Havoc' Nydia Richard Thorpe