A Promising Career in Hollywood
Diane Jergens was a talented actress who started her career at a young age. She made her screen debut in the 1946 film Ginger, and later joined the singing revue of composer Jimmy McHugh. She graduated from Hollywood High School and landed several roles in movies and TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. She was best known for playing Jennie Hardesty, the daughter of Jimmy Stewart’s character in the 1959 film The FBI Story, which was based on the history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She also starred in the teen drama High School Confidential and the adventure film Island of Lost Women.
A Turbulent Personal Life
Diane Jergens had two marriages that ended in divorce. She married actor Peter Brown, who was known for his roles in western TV shows, in 1958. They divorced in 1960 after a brief and stormy relationship. In 1962, she married musician and songwriter Randy Sparks, who was the founder of the folk group The New Christy Minstrels. They had four children together, but their marriage also ended in divorce in 1976. Jergens retired from acting in 1966 and moved to Valley Springs, California, where she lived a quiet life away from the spotlight.
A Tragic End
Diane Jergens died of disease on October 9, 2018, at the age of 83. She was buried at Jenny Lind IOOF Cemetery in Calaveras County, California. Her death was not widely reported by the media, and her fans were saddened to learn of her passing. She was remembered as a beautiful and talented actress who left a mark on the film and TV industry. She is survived by her four children, Kevin, Melinda, Cameron, and Amanda, and her grandchildren.
