Diana Dors was one of the most famous and glamorous actresses of her time, often compared to Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. She had a successful career in film, TV, music, and cabaret, but also faced many personal and professional challenges. She died at the age of 52 from ovarian cancer, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, talent, and controversy.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Diana Dors was born Diana Mary Fluck in Swindon, Wiltshire, on 23 October 1931. She was the daughter of a railway clerk and a housewife, who had an affair with another man and was unsure of Diana’s paternity. Diana was educated at a small private school, where she was expelled for throwing chalk at a teacher. She developed a passion for cinema and acting, and idolized actresses like Veronica Lake, Lana Turner, and Jean Harlow.
She enrolled at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art at the age of 14, and changed her name to Diana Dors, after her grandmother’s maiden name. She made her film debut in 1947, when she was only 15, and soon became a popular starlet in British cinema. She was promoted by her first husband, Dennis Hamilton, as a blonde bombshell and a sex symbol, appearing in many sex comedies and risqué modelling shoots. She also attracted attention from the tabloid press for her lavish lifestyle and wild parties.
By the early 1950s, she was being touted as Britain’s Marilyn Monroe and had progressed to starring roles in films like Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951), The Weak and the Wicked (1954), and Yield to the Night (1956), in which she gave a critically acclaimed performance as a condemned murderess. She also ventured into Hollywood, where she appeared in a few films like I Married a Woman (1958) and The Unholy Wife (1957), but failed to make a lasting impression.
Personal Problems and Career Decline
Diana Dors had a turbulent personal life, marked by three marriages, affairs, scandals, lawsuits, and financial troubles. Her first husband, Dennis Hamilton, was a violent and abusive man who exploited her fame and money. He died of syphilis in 1959, leaving her with huge debts. Her second husband, Richard Dawson, was an actor and comedian who later became famous as the host of Family Feud in the US. They had two sons together, Mark and Gary, but divorced in 1966 after Dawson had an affair with a young actress.
Her third husband, Alan Lake, was also an actor who struggled with alcoholism and depression. They had one son together, Jason, but their marriage was marred by frequent arguments and separations. Lake also had a criminal record for assault and robbery.
Diana Dors’ career also suffered a decline in the 1960s and 1970s, as she found it hard to get good roles in films. She turned to TV work instead, appearing in shows like The Two Ronnies (1971-1987), Queenie’s Castle (1970-1972), and All Our Saturdays (1973). She also reinvented herself as a cabaret singer and performer, touring the British club circuit and releasing several albums. She also made occasional appearances on chat shows and documentaries, where she displayed her wit and charm.
Final Years and Death
In the early 1980s, Diana Dors was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent surgery to remove tumours in 1982 and 1983, but the disease had spread to other organs. She continued to work despite her illness, appearing in films like Steaming (1985) and There’s a Girl in My Soup (1985). She also wrote two autobiographies: For Adults Only (1978) and Dors by Diana (1981).
She died on 4 May 1984 at the age of 52 in Windsor, Berkshire. Her husband Alan Lake committed suicide five months later by shooting himself in the head at their home. Their son Jason inherited their fortune but also struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues. He died of an accidental overdose in 2019 at the age of 50.
Diana Dors is remembered as one of the most iconic actresses of British cinema history. She was admired for her beauty, talent, charisma, courage, and humour. She has been honoured with a blue plaque at her birthplace in Swindon, a statue at Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also inspired many artists and performers such as Morrissey, Adam Ant, Tracey Emin , and Kate Moss .
