Diana Bellamy was a talented and versatile character actress, known for her plump and personable demeanor. Born on September 19, 1943, in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, she would go on to achieve great success in her acting career.
Bellamy's journey in the world of puppet theater began in her hometown, where she honed her craft and laid the foundation for her future endeavors. She would later graduate with a master's degree in Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University in 1970, further solidifying her credentials as a skilled thespian.
Throughout her illustrious career, Bellamy appeared in a wide range of films, including the iconic "Outrageous Fortune" (1987),where she played a sassy and memorable madam of a whorehouse. Her other notable film roles included a sharp-tongued secretary in "Outbreak" (1995) and a sarcastic White House switchboard operator in "Air Force One" (1997).
In addition to her work in film, Bellamy also made significant contributions to the world of television. She played the role of Mrs. Pennington in the 1987 series "The Nest" and later appeared as Grace Woods in the 1988 series "Spellbinder". Her recurring roles in "13 East" (1989) and "Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad" (1994) further showcased her impressive range as an actress.
Bellamy's impressive resume also included numerous one-off appearances on popular television shows, such as "Married with Children", "Melrose Place", "Nash Bridges", "Wings", "Murphy Brown", "Baywatch", "Quantum Leap", "Alien Nation", "Family Ties", "Newhart", "Hunter", "The Fall Guy", "Hill Street Blues", and "T.J. Hooker".
Outside of her work in film and television, Bellamy was also an accomplished stage actress. She performed in three seasons with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland and appeared in stage productions of "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You" (as the title character),"The House of Blue Leaves", and "The Skin of Our Teeth".
Despite facing significant health challenges in the final years of her life, including cancer, diabetes, and blindness, Bellamy continued to act with determination and passion. Her final roles included the blind Principal Cecelia Hall on the popular television series "Popular" (1999) and the crippled Mrs. Nichols in the stage production "The Ladies of the Corridor".
Tragically, Bellamy's life was cut short when she passed away on June 17, 2001, at the age of 57, at her home in Valley Village, California. Her legacy as a talented and dedicated actress continues to inspire and entertain audiences to this day.
