WOODLAND HILLS— Diana Douglas, first wife of Kirk Douglas and mother of actor Michael Douglas, died of cancer on July 3 at the Motion Picture Hospital in Woodland Hills at the age of 92.
Diana Douglas was born in Bermuda where her father was an attorney general. She moved to New York where she began a career in modeling that parlayed into the entertainment industry.
She is best known for her work in television in the 40s. Douglas had starring and supporting roles in many plays, including My Fair Lady, Best of Friends, Cactus Flower, Major Barbara, Modern Primitive, A Winter’s Tale, Hedda Gabler, Light Up the Sky and The Highest Tree.
Her last feature film was “It Runs In the Family” which co-starred her son Michael Douglas and one of her grandsons, Cameron. Her last TV roles included appearances in hit series like “Naked City, “The Waltons,” “Ben Casey,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “The West Wing” and “Paper Chase.”
A memorial service is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles at an undecided date.
