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Diane Cilento Diane Cilento i(A17956 works by) (a.k.a. Diane Elizabeth Cilento)
Born: Established: 5 Oct 1933 Brisbane, Queensland, ; Died: Ceased: 6 Oct 2011 Cairns, Cairns area, Ingham - Cairns area, Queensland,
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

Diane Cilento, a daughter of Sir Ralph and Lady Phyllis Cilento, grew up on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. She moved to New York at the age of sixteen and later won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London.

Cilento was a noted actress during the 1950s and 1960s, receiving nominations for both Tony and Oscar awards. Cilento had three marriages: to Italian Andrea Volpe (1956-1960), Scot Sean Connery (1962-1973) and British playwright Anthony Schaffer (from 1985 until Schaffer's death in 2001). With Shaffer, Cilento established the open-air theatre Karnak Playhouse in the Daintree, North Queensland.

Cilento is a sister of Ruth Yolanda Cilento and Margaret Cilento (qq.v.).

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • Inteview with Caroline Jones (tape held NSL).

Personal Awards

2010 Queensland Greats Awards 'Diane Cilento was born and raised in Queensland and is one of the first Queensland actresses to have established an international career in film, television and on the stage. Her career began at the young age of 17 when she was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and was the last person to be signed up by the late great film tycoon, Sir Alexander Korda. Starring in a long series of films including Hombre, The Agony and the Ecstasy and the cult film The Wicker Man, Diane was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for the film of Tom Jones and received the New York Critic's Award playing Helen of Troy on Broadway. She performed many classic roles on television and the stage and has a distinguished career as a director and writer.' Source: www.premiers.qld.gov.au/ (Sighted 23/06/2010).
2001 Centenary Medal For distinguished service to the arts especially theatre
Last amended 12 Oct 2011 11:29:36
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