Diane Jergens

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

Diane Jergens
Born
Dianne Irgens

(1935-03-31)March 31, 1935
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedOctober 9, 2018(2018-10-09) (aged 83)
Valley Springs, California, U.S.
OccupationFilm and television actress
Years active1946–1966
Spouse(s)Peter Brown (1958–1960)
Randy Sparks (1962–2018; her death; 4 children)
ChildrenKevin Ray (b. 1963)
Cameron Michael & Melinda Anne (b. 1966) Amanda Hamilton (b. 1970)
Parent(s)Mr. and Mrs. Norman C. Irgens
Peter Brown and Diane Jergens, 1959

Early years

Jergens was the daughter of Norman C. Irgens, an alderman in Minneapolis, and his wife.[1] In 1944, at age 8, she auditioned for two film studios in Hollywood and was asked to return to make a film.[2] In 1950, the family moved to Hollywood.[3] When Jergens was 16, she was a member of the Heidt Steppers dancing troupe, which was part of the Horace Heidt Show.[4] Soon after Jergens graduated from Hollywood High School, she performed as a singer on tour with composer Jimmy McHugh.[3]

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.[5] On television, she portrayed Francine Williams on The Bob Cummings Show in the 1955-1956 season,[6] and she had a recurring role on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.[7] She also appeared on other TV shows such as Dragnet, The Danny Thomas Show, The Addams Family, and 77 Sunset Strip. She retired from acting in 1966.

Personal life

Jergens was married to actor Peter Brown between 1958 and 1960; he was a co-star of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series, Lawman.[8][9] In 1962, she wed musician and songwriter Randy Sparks [10] They had four children, two of whom were twins.[11] She died on October 9, 2018.[12]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1946GingerDiane
1947Beat the BandMinor RoleUncredited
1954The Bob Mathias Story[13]Pat Mathias[14]
1955Daddy Long LegsCollege GirlUncredited
1956The Benny Goodman StoryVelma - Benny's Giggly DateUncredited
1956The Unguarded MomentGirl in HallUncredited
1956Friendly PersuasionElizabeth - Quaker GirlUncredited
1956Teenage RebelJane Hewitt
1956Three Brave MenShirley Goldsmith
1957Desk SetAlice
1958Sing, Boy, SingPat Barry
1958High School ConfidentialJoan Staples
1959Island of Lost WomenUrana
1959The FBI StoryJennie Hardesty
1960Escape to ParadiseCatherine Hughes
1961Teenage MillionaireBarbara 'Bambi' Price
1961Espionage: Far East

References
  1. Carlson, Bill (July 21, 1944). "Divers, Callen Steal Follies Honors". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. p. 15. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Adams, Cedric (October 2, 1944). "In This Corner". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. p. 20. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "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.
  4. "(photo caption)". The Vancouver Sun. Camada. British Columbia, Vancouver. September 13, 1951. p. 21. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Diane Jergens In New Film". The Evening Sun. December 19, 1957. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  6. 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.
  7. "Minneapolis Blonde Gets Movie Break". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. June 8, 1958. p. Picture section - P 22. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Diane Jergens profile". Glamour girls of the silver screen. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  9. "Diane engaged". The Milwaukee Sentinel. May 21, 1958. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  10. "New christy ministrels carry out multi-harmony, multi-instrumental mission". Boca Raton News. March 19, 2004. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  11. Images, Historic. "1966 Press Photo Actress Diane Jergens with Her New Born Twins". Historic Images. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  12. "Diane Jergens". Television Academy.
  13. Gwynn, Edith (June 8, 1954). "Hollywood". The Mercury. Pennsylvania, Pottstown. p. 4. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Spotlight on Mathias' Tulare". The Bakersfield Californian. California, Bakersfield. Associated Press. June 11, 1954. p. 25. Retrieved December 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.


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