Diane-Cilento-Obituary

Diane Cilento

Obituary

SYDNEY (AP) - Oscar-nominated Australian actress Diane Cilento, who was once married to James Bond actor Sean Connery, has died in northern Australia, an official said Friday. She was 78.

Cilento, a veteran of dozens of films, television shows and stage productions, died Thursday night, Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh said.

No cause of death was given.

The Queensland-born actress rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, starring alongside screen legends such as Charlton Heston and Paul Newman. In 1956, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Helen of Troy in the play "Tiger at the Gates." She received an Academy Award nomination in 1963 for best supporting actress for her work in the movie "Tom Jones."

Her celebrity grew after she married Connery - her second husband - in 1962. The two had a son before divorcing 11 years later. She went on to wed her third husband, playwright Anthony Shaffer, in 1985.

She and Shaffer eventually settled in tropical northern Queensland, where she built a popular outdoor theater in the rain forest.

"While she was originally known as a glamorous international film star, her work in later years in the far north showed her commitment to the arts," Bligh said in a statement. "I know that Ms. Cilento will be sorely missed by many in the industry."


Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press

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5years always remembered

It was a pleasure working for you taking care of your children. I send them love and peace. May the light shine on you. Jude Lawrence (Norris)

Diane was a great and good friend and enormous fun to be with. I feel privileged to have known her - on and off - for over 40 years.

CLIVE EVANS (London)

peace, love and light Diane. thankyou for enriching our lives. you radiated love. xx

my heartfelt condolences to diane's family. my mum and i had the pleasure of visiting the retreat in northern australia. it was a special time, a special place, founded on traditional buddhist principled. the theatre was amazing and diane's vision for karnak extraordinary. she was driven by the healing of the arts and we met wonderful people and we left a little of ourselves there too. i do hope it will continue. a very special women and place. one of my fondest memories is of diane cooking...

May she RIP. Her mother treated me as an infant. As a teenager I met her on a few occasions and was star-struck.

Brunon Paul Bielinski

To the family of Diane Cilento, my condolences for the loss of your beloved one. May you receive comfort and strength from the God of all comfort. (Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.)

Ms. Cilento was fabulous in "Hombre", and I believe took the film to a different level with Paul Newman. Hombre is one of my favorite. I pray she and Paul are friends again.

she will be missed by all of us fans for sure RIP