Diana Lynn

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Diana Lynn (October 7, 1926 – December 18, 1971) was an American actress.

Born Dolores Loehr in Los Angeles, California, Lynn was considered a child prodigy because of her exceptional abilities as a pianist at an early age, and by the age of 12 was playing with the Los Angeles Junior Symphony Orchestra.

[edit] Film career

She made her film debut, playing the piano in They Shall Have Music (1939), and was once again playing piano, accompanying Susanna Foster in There's Magic in Music (1941) when it was decided that she had more potential than she had been allowed to show. Paramount Studios changed her name to "Diana Lynn" and began casting her in films that allowed her to show her personality and developed her skills as an actress.

Her comedic scenes with Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor (1942) were well received, and in 1944 she scored an outstanding success in Preston Sturges' The Miracle of Morgan's Creek. She appeared in two Henry Aldrich films, and played writer Emily Kimbrough in two films Our Hearts Were Young and Gay (1944) and Our Hearts Were Growing Up (1946) both costarring with Gail Russell.

After a few more films, she was cast in one of the years biggest successes, the comedy My Friend Irma (1949) with Marie Wilson as Irma, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in their film debuts. The group reprised their roles for the sequel My Friend Irma Goes West (1950). During the 1950s Lynn continued acting in films, and was the female lead in the much lampooned Bedtime for Bonzo (1951) opposite Ronald Reagan.

She also acted frequently in television and appeared in numerous guest roles through to the 1960s. By 1970 she had virtually retired from acting, and had relocated to New York where she was running a travel agency. Paramount Studios offered her a part in a new film, and after some consideration she accepted the offer and moved back to Los Angeles. Before filming started, she suffered a stroke and died nine days later.

She was survived by her husband, and four young children.

Diana Lynn has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for motion pictures, at 1625 Vine Street, and for television, at 6350 Hollywood Boulevard.