Person Biography:
Diane Varsi was born Diane Marie Antonia Varsi on February 23, 1938, in San Mateo, California, to Russell Varsi, a florist, and Beatrice DeMerchant. She was the elder of two daughters. A troubled childhood led her to drop out of high school and work various jobs before pursuing a career in the arts.
Varsi moved to Los Angeles and began taking acting classes with Jeff Corey. She made her debut in a community theater production of "Gigi" and later married producer James Dickson, who became her manager. She gave birth to a son, Shawn Michael.
After meeting director Mark Robson, Varsi was cast in the film version of "Peyton Place" (1957),despite having no prior experience. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.
Varsi continued to appear in high-profile films, including "From Hell to Texas" (1958),"Ten North Frederick" (1958),and "Compulsion" (1959). However, she struggled with the pressures of the studio system and eventually suffered a nervous collapse.
In 1959, Varsi abandoned Hollywood, divorced her husband, and moved to Vermont with her son. She returned to her Bohemian lifestyle and later remarried, having a second child, daughter Willo.
After her contract with Fox expired in 1964, Varsi's career slowed down. She appeared in low-budget films and TV movies, including "Sweet Love, Bitter" (1967),"Roseanna" (1967),"Wild in the Streets" (1968),and "Bloody Mama" (1970).
Varsi continued to work in film and television throughout the 1970s, including roles in "Johnny Got His Gun" (1971) and "The People" (1972). However, her career eventually declined, and she dropped out of sight in the late 1970s.
Diane Varsi died on November 19, 1992, in Los Angeles at the age of 54 due to respiratory complications from Lyme disease, which she had contracted in 1977.
