Dyan Cannon is a three-time Oscar Award-nominated actress, editor, and filmmaker who’s appeared in numerous projects since she began acting in the late ‘50s.

Age, Early Life, and Education Background

Dyan Cannon is a native of Tacoma, Washington, who was born under the Capricorn zodiac sign on 4 January 1937, which makes her 86 years old as of 2023. She was born to the late insurance salesman, Ben Friesen and his wife, Claire Portnoy, who was a housewife. Her mother was of Ashkenazi-Jewish roots, whereas her father was an Anabaptist of the Canadian Mennonite ancestry. Cannon was brought up in a strict religious setting and is a born-again Christian.

She has a younger brother named David Friesen, who is an accomplished jazz bassist.

Cannon attended West Seattle High School, where she won the title of Miss West Seattle in the mid-‘50s. She matriculated to the University of Washington, but quit her studies in 1957 and went on to live with her aunt in Phoenix, Arizona, where she landed a job at the investment bank, Merrill Lynch & Co., which was acquired by the Bank of America in 2009. During her youth, Cannon briefly lived in Los Angeles with her fiancé – after their separation Cannon stayed in the city, where she enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA). Meantime, the budding actress honed her acting skills under the guidance of the late actor and acting coach, Sanford Meisner.

Facts and Hobbies

Cannon is a die-hard fan of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, and often watches their matches.

She was previously named the fourth Sexiest Older Actress – behind Ann-Margaret, Requel Welch, and Sophia Loren – by the website ‘Third Age.’ Moreover, the actress was crowned both the National Association of Theater Owners and Hollywood Women’s Press Club’s Female Star of the Year in 1973 and 1979.

Career

Late 1950s – 1980s

After making her TV debut in the late ‘50s, Cannon went on to appear in a few episodes of various shows, such as “Bat Masterson” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” She made her film debut in the 1960 crime drama “The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond.” In 1964, Dyan made a guest appearance in the 10th season (episode 13) of the TV drama series “Gunsmoke”, as Ivy Norton, an abused daughter who plans to elope with her lover, She went on to make brief appearances in various TV series and films throughout the mid-‘60s’ before landing her breakthrough role as Alice Henderson in the 1969 Natalie Wood-starred comedy-drama movie “Bob & Carol &Ted & Alice,” which saw her nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award.

In 1971, Dyan starred in four movies including “The Love Machine,” “The Anderson Tapes” and “Such Good Friends” which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. She received critical acclaim when she shared the screen with Burt Reynolds in the 1973 comedy thriller film “Shamus,” then was seen in the 1974 drama film “Child Under a Leaf.”

Cannon hosted the late-night live TV show “Saturday Night Live” in 1976, and in 1978, she co-starredwith her then-boyfriend, Armand Assante Jr., in the television film “Lady of the House.”

1980s – Now

In the early ‘80s, Dyan shared the screen with various notable personalities, including the singer-songwriter Willie Nelson in the 1980 Western film “Honeysuckle Rose,” in which she performed three songs on the soundtrack; Robert Blake in the romantic comedy film “Coast to Coast”; and Al Pacino in the autobiographical film “Author! Author!” Her performance in the 1982 black comedy film “Deathtrap” saw her nominated for a 1983 Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress.

In 1990, she wrote, directed, and starred in the semi-autobiographical film “The End of Innocence.” Between 1997 and 2000, Cannon played the recurring role of Judge Jennifer Cone in the legal comedy series “Ally McBeal” and was nominated for a Viewers for Quality Television Award (also known as the Q Award) for Best Recurring Player for her performance. She reprised her role as Judge Cone in an episode of the legal drama series “The Practice” in 1998.

In 2001 and 2002, Cannon made regular appearances in DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler’s sitcom “Three Sisters.” Her following appearances were in the films “Kangaroo Jack” in 2003 and “Boynton Beach Club” in 2005. Cannon’s career began declining in mid-decade, but most recently, in 2021, she portrayed Linda in the film “Hope’s Legacy.”

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Awards and Nominations

Out of the seventeen awards she has been nominated for, Cannon has scooped four. She was nominated for three Oscars for her performances in “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” in 1970, “Number One” in 1977, and “Heaven Can Wait” in 1979. She scooped a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Heaven Can Wait” in 1979, and has also won a New York Film Critics Circle Award for her performance in “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” (1969).. Cannon is a four-time nominee for the Golden Globe Award and has also been nominated for two Photoplay Awards for Favorite Female Star and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Supporting Actress.

In 1983, Cannon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Despite her old age, Dyan is keen on interacting with her fans and friends on her Instagram account (@therealdyan. cannon), which has over 20,000 followers. She also has a Twitter account (@Dyan_Cannon), which has almost 2,500 followers.

Personal Life

Dyan is a divorced woman, who has married twice. She began dating the late English-American actor Cary Grant in 1961 and their relationship immediately became the subject of criticism and controversy because she was 31 years younger than him. Nonetheless, the duo took their relationship to the next level on 22 July 1965, when they exchanged vows in a private wedding ceremony. On 26 February 1966, the couple welcomed a daughter named Jennifer Diane Grant, who followed in her parents’ footsteps to become an actress – she’s perhaps best known for her appearance in the TV series “ “Beverly Hills 90210”.” Dyan and Cary ended their relationship with a divorce in March 1968.

Dyan married her second husband, the real estate broker Stanley Fimberg, on 18 April 1985. Fimberg doubles as a film producer, and is known for his works in “Wogan” (1982), “Weekend Warriors” (1986), and “The End of Innocence” (1990). The couple divorced in 1991 after spending around six years together – they didn’t welcome any children together.

Cannon has dated various men including the late Canadian-born American actor and comedian, Mort Sahl, the talent agent, Ron Weisner, and the film producer, Murray Shostak. She remains good friends with her former boyfriend, the American actor, Michael Nouri.

Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance

Connan is of White ethnicity, has a pair of blue eyes and has dyed her hair blonde. She is 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall, weighs approximately 140lbs (64kgs), and her vital statistics are 35-24-36. The veteran actress wears shoe and dress sizes 7.5(US) and 6(US) respectively.

Net Worth

Dyan’s career has spanned over six and a half decades, which has made her a household name. She’s accumulated a net worth of around $16 million from her successful career in the showbiz industry.

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