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Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

17

Gender

Female

Birthday

1919-09-18

Day of Death

1997-01-18 (78 years old)

Place of Birth

Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA

Also Known As

Mousie Powell

Diana Lewis

Biography

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 It's 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. Diana's 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 Hollywood's 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.

Known For

Acting

Go West

1940

Go West

as

Eve Wilson

It's a Gift

1934

It's a Gift

as

Miss Dunk

Johnny Eager

1941

Johnny Eager

as

Judy Sanford

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante

1940

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante

as

Daphne Fowler

Grand Slam Opera

1936

Grand Slam Opera

as

The Girl Downstairs

Love Nest on Wheels

1937

Love Nest on Wheels

as

The Bride

Cry 'Havoc'

1943

Cry 'Havoc'

as

Nydia

Whistling in Dixie

1942

Whistling in Dixie

as

Ellamae Downs

Gold Diggers in Paris

1938

Gold Diggers in Paris

as

Golddigger

He Couldn't Say No

1938

He Couldn't Say No

as

Iris Mabby

Bitter Sweet

1940

Bitter Sweet

as

Jane

First Offenders

1939

First Offenders

as

Ann Blakeley

Enter Madame

1935

Enter Madame

as

Operator

The Big Parade of Comedy

1964

The Big Parade of Comedy

as

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

Seven Sweethearts

1942

Seven Sweethearts

as

Mrs. Nugent, a Newlywed

Production

Crew

Directing