Bermudian Actress Diana Dill Dies At 92

July 5, 2015

diana douglas dill bermudaBermudian actress Diana Dill, mother of Michael Douglas, has died in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 92.

A Boston Herald story says, “Actress Diana Douglas Webster, mother of Michael Douglas and former wife of Kirk Douglas, died of cancer on Saturday in Woodland Hills, California.

“Born Diana Love Dill on January 22, 1923 in Devonshire, Bermuda, she appeared on film, television and stage. She appeared in more than 20 films, including “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “It Runs in the Family,” in addition to TV roles on “The West Wing” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.

“A memorial service will be held in Los Angeles.”

While well known for being the mother of actor Michael Douglas, Ms. Dill was successful in her own right with an acting career spanning over 50 years.

Born in Bermuda on January 22, 1923, Ms. Dill’s family can trace its roots in Bermuda back many years.

Ms. Dill was the daughter of Ruth Neilson and Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Melville Dill, a former Attorney General of Bermuda and former Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Militia Artillery.

Ms Dill began modeling and acting, and by the early 1940’s she had made international magazine and film appearances. Actor Kirk Douglas saw a 1943 issue of Life Magazine, which featured her on the cover, and declared he would marry her. Ms. Dill married Kirk Douglas on November 2, 1943 and they had two sons, Michael and Joel, before divorcing in 1951.

diana dill life magazine

Ms. Dill later married actor and producer Bill Darrid, who died in 1992. In 2002, at age 79, Ms. Dill married Donald Webster, who once served as Treasury chief of staff under President Richard Nixon. The wedding took place in Bermuda at the Devonshire Parish Church – the same church where her parents got married in 1902.

The 2003 movie ‘It Runs in the Family‘ featured Ms. Dill and real life family members including son Michael Douglas and ex-husband Kirk Douglas.

She is survived by her two sons, Michael and Joel, her grandchildren, and her husband of 15 years Donald Webster.

“She had many talents. She had an amazing circle of friends who really loved and cared about her, the kindest people you would meet,” Mr Webster said, according to CNN. “She was a great lady, truly an exceptional person.”

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Comments (4)

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  1. Come On ThRead says:

    My condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

    This small island of Bermuda has produced a large number of talented people that have risen to the top in the Movie & TV industry, Live Theater, Music and Sports. If only more of use would do as she and others have done. Look ahead, believe, shake off the criticism, stay honest and real and work hard and you really can do whatever you put your mind to.

  2. NO MORE WAR says:

    Condolences to Mrs. Dills family and friends.

  3. Terry says:

    Condolences to the family.
    They have done much for Bermuda as can be seen as of present with Ariel Sands.

    Also I can still say in the same post (free speech) that the as&*^%$- that dislike are and play a major portion on current circumstances and how things are viewed .

    Time in a bottle.

    Hope I am not around when someone uncorks it.
    Shalom.

  4. Eve says:

    Diana performed in a play in City Hall in 1961 and warmly greated all after the play. Lot of great memories of a Bermuda past. RIP Diana