Diane Jergens


Diane Jergens was an American film and television actress, singer, and dancer..

Early years

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

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. On television, she portrayed Francine Williams on The Bob Cummings Show in the 1955-1956 season, and she had a recurring role on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. 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. In 1962, she wed musician and songwriter Randy Sparks
They had four children, two of whom were twins. She died on October 9, 2018.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1946GingerDiane
1947Beat the BandMinor RoleUncredited
1954The Bob Mathias StoryPat Mathias
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 Paradise
1961Teenage MillionaireBarbara 'Bambi' Price
1961Espionage: Far East