dyan cannon :: biography

Biography / Gallery

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Date of birth: 4 January 1937, Tacoma, Washington, USA

Birth name: Samille Diane Friesen

Height: 5'5"

Spouse: Cary Grant (22 July 1965 – 21 March 1968) 1 daughter; Stanley Fimberg (18 April 1985 – 1991) (divorced)

Early Life

Born Samille Diane Friesen in Tacoma, Washington, Cannon began her career as a showroom model in Los Angeles after studying anthropology at the University of Washington for two years. With encouragement from writer-producer Jerry Wald, who suggested her stage name (originally Diane Cannon), she secured a contract at MGM and made her feature film debut in This Rebel Breed (1960) as Wiggles, a troubled high school student, followed by a role in The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (1960).

Career Beginnings and Personal Life

Cannon briefly appeared on Broadway and in television before a high-profile romance with Cary Grant, 33 years her senior, paused her acting pursuits. They married in 1965 and had a daughter, divorcing three years later amid public attention. She returned to the screen in 1969 with the sex comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, earning critical acclaim and her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Film and Television Career

The 1970s marked Cannon's busiest period, with numerous film roles including a standout performance in Heaven Can Wait (1978), earning her a second Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. In the early 1980s, she scaled back feature films but continued appearing in television movies and miniseries, maintaining a steady presence in the industry.

Directing and Writing

Beyond acting, Cannon explored writing and directing. In 1976, she created the 42-minute short Number One for the American Film Institute to educate children about sexuality, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short. She later directed The End of Innocence, inspired by her autobiography, showcasing her ability to work behind the camera as well as in front of it.

Later Career

Cannon returned to acting on a limited basis in the 1990s, appearing in television movies such as Christmas in Connecticut (1992) alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and films like Out to Sea (1997). Her career spans decades, balancing roles in film, television, and directorial projects while navigating a highly public personal life.