- Diana Hyland
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Diana Hyland 
in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976)Born Diane Gentner
January 25, 1936
Cleveland Heights, OhioDied March 27, 1977 (aged 41)
Los Angeles, CaliforniaOther names Diane Gentner Occupation Actress Years active 1955-1977 Spouse Joe Goodson (divorced) Diana Hyland (January 25, 1936 – March 27, 1977) was an American actress best known for her television appearances and occasional films.
Contents
Early life
Hyland was born Diane Gentner in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Career
Hyland made her acting debut in 1955 in an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents. Over the next decade she played numerous guest and supporting roles in various television series, including Happy Days, The Eleventh Hour, The Fugitive and The Twilight Zone, before being cast in a featured role in The Chase (1966) with Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, and Robert Redford.
In 1959 she originated the role of Heavenly Finley in Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth on Broadway, with Geraldine Page and Paul Newman. From 1958-1963, Hyland was a regular on the NBC soap opera, Young Doctor Malone, where she played the role of Gig Houseman, wife of the younger Dr. Malone. She also played a continuing role in the primetime soap opera Peyton Place from 1968 until 1969.
In 1976, she appeared in the television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble for which she won a posthumous Emmy Award. The following year, she signed on to play the wife of Dick Van Patten's character in the series Eight is Enough. The first four episodes would be her last role.
Personal life
She dated actor Joe Goodson briefly before the two were married on April 24, 1969. The union bore one child in 1973, a son named Zachary, before they divorced in 1975.[1]
In 1976, she began a romantic relationship with the actor John Travolta after meeting him on the set of the television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.[2] She was eighteen years older than Travolta.
Death
In 1977, Hyland was diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent a mastectomy.[3] Despite the mastectomy, her cancer continued to spread, and her health deteriorated. Hyland and Travolta remained together until her death, on March 27, 1977 in Los Angeles. Hyland died in Travolta's arms.[2]
After Hyland's death, her son (then four years old), was placed in Goodson's custody.
Selected filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes 1964 One Man's Way Ruth Stafford Peale 1966 Smoky Julie Richards Television Year Title Role Notes 1956 Star Tonight Louise 2 episodes 1962 The Defenders Mary DiFalco Robinson 1 episode 1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Janet Nelson 1 episode 1963 Ben Casey Greta Bauer 1 episode 1964 Kraft Suspense Theatre Linda Stevenson 1 episode 1964 Twilight Zone Anne Marie Henderson 1 episode 1964 The Fugitive Carol Hollister 1 episode 1965 The Wackiest Ship in the Army Margaret Cochran 2 episodes 1965 The Fugitive Stella Savano 1 episode 1966 A Man Called Shenandoah Nancy Pruitt 1 episode 1966 The Green Hornet Claudia Bromley 1 episode 1966 The Fugitive Penny 1 episode 1966 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Miranda Bryant
Mara2 episodes 1967 The Invaders Sherri Vikor
Ellie Markham3 episodes 1967 The Fugitive Alison Priestley 1 episode 1968 Judd, for the Defense Jessie Tree 2 episodes 1968-1969 Peyton Place Susan Winter 52 episodes 1969 The Name of the Game Lisa Adrian 1 episode 1970 Bracken's World Mary Draper 1 episode 1970 Ritual of Evil Leila Barton TV movie 1971 Alias Smith and Jones Clara Phillips 1 episode 1972 Banyon Julia Egan 1 episode 1973 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law Lita Coleman 1 episode 1973 Gunsmoke Dallas Fair 1 episode 1975 Harry O Sandra Dawes 1 episode 1975 Mannix Janice Graham 1 episode 1976 Barnaby Jones Nora Bradford 1 episode 1977 Happy Days Adrianna Prescott 1 episode 1977 Eight is Enough Joan Bradford 4 episodes References
- ^ "Diana Hyland" NNDB website, People
- ^ a b Thompson, Douglas (2009-01-03). "'For John Travolta, protecting Jett was everything. He had to be in control. That's why he flew his own plane' says biographer". dailymail.co.uk. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1104777/For-John-Travolta-protecting-Jett-He-control-Thats-flew-plane-says-biographer.html. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ Smilgis, Martha (1977-08-13). "Life After Loss". People. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20068072,00.html. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
External links
- Diana Hyland at the Internet Movie Database
- Diana Hyland at the Internet Broadway Database
- Diana Hyland at Find a Grave
- Diana Hyland portrait gallery at NY Public Library (Billy Rose collection)
Categories:- 1936 births
- 1977 deaths
- Actors from Ohio
- American film actors
- American soap opera actors
- American stage actors
- American television actors
- Cancer deaths in California
- Deaths from breast cancer
- Emmy Award winners
- People from Cleveland, Ohio
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