Recently at This Distracted Globe, I read a review of the Steven Spielberg film 1941. In one of the screencaps from the film, he had a photo of the back of one of the stars. Even though I haven't seen the film in a few years, or the actress, I immediately remembered her and wondered what happened to her. I also wondered what her name was.
It was Dianne Kay.
Kay was a very recognizable, and stunningly beautiful, actress in the early 80’s.
Born in 1952 in Phoenix Arizona, Dianne began acting on a 1977 episode of STARSKY AND HUTCH. This led to more TV work
In 1977 she got her most memorable role, Nancy Bradford in EIGHT IS ENOUGH.
She wasn’t the first choice for the role. The character of Nancy was a 17 year old. The original actress who appeared in the pilot was 21. She was thought to be too old. But the producers saw Dianne and, even though she was 24, they gave her the role.
Dianne’s first film role in 1979 was 1941. She was one of the female leads, opposite Treat Williams. It would be her biggest feature film role. Although the film was not all that successful.
EIGHT IS ENOUGH aired through 1981. After it went off the air, the rest of her career was made up of guest starring roles in countless TV series and TV Movies.
Here is a terrific Youtube tribute video that someone made of her.
There was 1982’s PORTRAIT OF A SHOWGIRL with Tony Curtis, episodes of TRAPPER JOHN, M.D., SIMON AND SIMON, FANTASY ISLAND, THE LOVE BOAT and that great career killer MURDER, SHE WROTE.
She starred in one theatrical film in 1988, the Roger Corman produced family film ANDY COLBY’S INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE.
There were a couple EIGHT IS ENOUGH reunion films, one in 1987 (which turned out to be the second highest rated TV movie of the year) and another in 1989 (which wasn’t as popular). Other than that, there was an episode of HANGING WITH MR. COOPER in 1994 and, her final role, a 1999 episode of DIAGNOSIS MURDER.
So, What Ever Happened To Her?
The best that I could find is that Dianne is now a mom. Some sources claim that she appeared on a talk show and mentioned that she is now an interior decorator.
Either way, she is out of the business.
Dianne Kay on DVD
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: DIANNE KAY
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5 comments:
Thanks for the mention, Moviezzz. Last week I was also wondering about Dianne Kay. She appears in the behind the scenes documentary for 1941in a makeup trailer looking stunning, but I had never seen her do another movie.
Jason Bateman's comment about actors getting jobs based on whatever level of "prestige" they're preceived to bring comes to mind here. None of Kay's projects came anywhere near the "prestigious" level I guess she needed to break through.
I love this series. Your profile of Betsy Russell is one of my favorites.
Thanks Joe.
I actually have a list of like thirty people to write about, yet your post made me remember Dianne, who wasn't even on my list.
I also can't understand why dianne kay did not become a bigger star! she was so goregous and so nice in real life, perhaps it was a blessing. hollywood kills your soul! Dianne was too good for this town
Thanks for the info. I watched 1941 for the first time today, and kept wondering where I'd seen Dianne from. Just as I was Googling 1941, "Eight is Enough" hit me. What a looker she was!
Here's one for you, if you like another project: Kimberly Foster, the sexy, slinky, beautiful blone in One Crazy Summer and It Takes Two (1988). What ever happened to her?
As for great, forgotten movies that have had no DVD release...
The Experts (John Travolta, Kelly Preston), Wisdom (Emilo Estevez, Demi Moore), It Takes Two (Kimberly Foster), Happy Together (Patrick Dempsey, Helen Slater), The Legend of Billie Jean (Helen Slater), Kidco (Scott Schwartz), Amazing Grace and Chuck (Jamie Lee Curtis)
Great list Cryo!
I already have a story on BILLIE JEAN (see sidebar for a link). I'll add the others to the list.
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