Diane Jergens

Diane Jergens
Peter Brown and Jergens, 1959
Born
Dianne Irgens[1]

(1935-03-31)March 31, 1935
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.[1]
DiedOctober 9, 2018(2018-10-09) (aged 83)
Valley Springs, California, U.S.[2]
OccupationActress
Years active1946–1966
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1958; div. 1960)​
​
(m. 1962)​
Children4

Diane Jergens (born Dianne Irgens; March 31, 1935 – October 9, 2018) was an American film and television actress.

Early years

Jergens was the daughter of Norman C. Irgens, an alderman in Minneapolis, and his wife.[3] In 1944, at age 8, she auditioned for two film studios in Hollywood and was asked to return to make a film.[4] In 1950, the family moved to Hollywood.[5] When Jergens was 16, she was a member of the Heidt Steppers dancing troupe, which was part of the Horace Heidt Show.[6] Soon after Jergens graduated from Hollywood High School, she performed as a singer on tour with composer Jimmy McHugh.[5]

Career

She made her screen debut in the 1946 film Ginger. She was featured in such 1950s films as The FBI Story with James Stewart and Desk Set starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Her other films included leading roles in High School Confidential and Island of Lost Women.[7] On television, she portrayed Francine Williams on The Bob Cummings Show in the 1955–1956 season,[8] and she had a recurring role on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.[9] She also appeared on other TV shows such as Dragnet, The Danny Thomas Show, The Addams Family, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and 77 Sunset Strip.

Personal life

Jergens was married to actor Peter Brown between 1958 and 1960.[2][10]

In 1962, she wed musician and songwriter Randy Sparks.[11] They had four children, Kevin Ray Sparks, Melinda Anne Sparks and Cameron Michael Sparks (twins), and Amanda Hamilton Sparks.[12] She died on October 9, 2018, aged 83, in Valley Springs, California.[13] [2]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1946 Ginger Diane
1947 Beat the Band Minor role Uncredited
1954 The Bob Mathias Story[14] Pat Mathias[15]
1955 Daddy Long Legs College Girl Uncredited
1956 The Benny Goodman Story Velma – Benny's Giggly Date Uncredited
The Unguarded Moment Girl in Hall Uncredited
Friendly Persuasion Elizabeth – Quaker girl Uncredited
Teenage Rebel Jane Hewitt
Three Brave Men Shirley Goldsmith
1957 Desk Set Alice
1958 Sing, Boy, Sing Pat Barry
High School Confidential Joan Staples
1959 Island of Lost Women Urana
The FBI Story Jennie Hardesty
1960 Escape to Paradise Catherine Hughes
1961 Teenage Millionaire Barbara 'Bambi' Price
Espionage: Far East

References

  1. ^ a b Benner, Millicent (August 29, 1973). "Her Glamor Formula is Simple—Just Hard Work". The Washington Post. pp. F7. ProQuest 149065726. DIANE (real name Diane Irgens) was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and is of Norwegian and Hungarian extraction.
  2. ^ a b c "Diane Jergens profile". Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Carlson, Bill (July 21, 1944). "Divers, Callen Steal Follies Honors". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. p. 15. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Adams, Cedric (October 2, 1944). "In This Corner". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. p. 20. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b "TV Blonde Just 'Little Girl' to Proud Father". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. June 14, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ "(photo caption)". The Vancouver Sun. Canada. British Columbia, Vancouver. September 13, 1951. p. 21. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ "Diane Jergens In New Film". The Evening Sun. December 19, 1957. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  8. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 114. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
  9. ^ "Minneapolis Blonde Gets Movie Break". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. June 8, 1958. p. Picture section – P 22. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ "Diane engaged". The Milwaukee Sentinel. May 21, 1958. Retrieved March 19, 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "New christy ministrels carry out multi-harmony, multi-instrumental mission". Boca Raton News. March 19, 2004. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  12. ^ Images, Historic. "1966 Press Photo Actress Diane Jergens with Her New Born Twins". Historic Images. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  13. ^ "Diane Jergens". Television Academy.
  14. ^ Gwynn, Edith (June 8, 1954). "Hollywood". The Mercury. Pennsylvania, Pottstown. p. 4. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ^ "Spotlight on Mathias' Tulare". The Bakersfield Californian. California, Bakersfield. Associated Press. June 11, 1954. p. 25. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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