Diana Lewis was born on September 18, 1919 in Ashbury Park, New Jersey. Her parents were vaudeville performers. The family moved to Hollywood and Diana, her sister Maxine, and her brother J.C. all went into show business. Diana made her film debut in the 1934 comedy Its A Gift. At the age of sixteen she married actor Jay Faye. She landed a contract with MGM and appeared in movies like Andy Hardy Meets Debutante and Bitter Sweet. While making Gold Diggers In Paris she became close friends with actress Carole Landis. Dianas marriage to Jay ended in 1939. That same year she met actor William Powell who was more than twenty years older than she. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple eloped on January 6, 1940. Diana had supporting roles in the films Johnny Eager and Cry Havoc. She decided to quit acting in 1943 and devoted herself to being a full-time wife. By all accounts Diana and William enjoyed one of Hollywoods happiest marriages. He gave her the nickname Mousie because she was so petite. They had no children but Diana was very close to her stepson William David Powell. She spent much of her time doing charity work and playing golf. In 1984 William passed away at the age of ninety-one. Diana continued to live a quiet life in Palm Springs. She died from pancreatic cancer on January 18, 1997. Diana is buried with William at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.

All movies available from Diana Lewis

Movies unavailable from Diana Lewis

Go West

Eve Wilson

Movie 1940

It's a Gift

Miss Dunk

Movie 1934

Johnny Eager

Judy Sanford

Movie 1941

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante

Daphne Fowler

Movie 1940

Grand Slam Opera

The Girl Downstairs

Movie 1936

Love Nest on Wheels

The Bride

Movie 1937

Cry 'Havoc'

Nydia

Movie 1943

Whistling in Dixie

Ellamae Downs

Movie 1942

The People Vs. Dr. Kildare

Fay Lennox

Movie 1941

He Couldn't Say No

Iris Mabby

Movie 1938

Bitter Sweet

Jane

Movie 1940

First Offenders

Ann Blakeley

Movie 1939

Forty Little Mothers

Marcia

Movie 1940

Enter Madame

Operator

Movie 1935

The Big Parade of Comedy

Eve Wilson in 'Go West' (archive footage) (uncredited)

Movie 1964

Seven Sweethearts

Mrs. Nugent, a Newlywed

Movie 1942