Diane Jergens

Diane Jergens (born Dianne Irgens; March 31, 1935 –October 9, 2018) was an American film and television actress, singer, and dancer..

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.

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.

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 SparksThey had four children, two of whom were twins. She died on October 9, 2018.