Biography

Diana Lewis was born on September 18, 1919 in Asbury 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 comedy It's a Gift (1934). 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 (1940) and Bitter Sweet (1940). While making Gold Diggers in Paris (1938) 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 her. After a whirlwind courtship the couple eloped on January 6, 1940. Diana had supporting roles in the films Johnny Eager (1941) and Cry 'Havoc' (1943). 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.
- IMDb mini biography by: Elizabeth Ann

William Powell and Diana knew each other for only a few weeks when they eloped. He had previously been married to Carole Lombard and engaged to Jean Harlow at the time of her sudden death.

Diana's best friend was Carole Landis. Diana gave Carole a gold cross in 1938 that she wore for the rest of her life, and was buried wearing.

Remembered by fans of W.C. Fields' movies as Miss Dunk in It's a Gift (1934). As Fields tries to sleep on an upstairs front porch, Miss Dunk carries on a shrill, repetitious and reiterative palaver with her mother Josephine Whittell over whether to purchase ipecac or syrup of squills.

Sister of actress Maxine Lewis and composer J.C. Lewis.

My marriage means more than all the world to me - much more than a career.