After some TV work and minor features, this sexy, zany and spirited blonde sparkled as a deft comedienne in several trendy films of the 1970s and 80s. In 1976, Dyan Cannon directed, wrote, produced, edited and scored the AFI-sponsored, Oscar-nominated live-action short, "Number One", about children's natural curiosity about their bodies and the adult values that stifle them. She made her feature directing and writing debut with the semi-autobiographical, "The End of Innocence" (1990).Cannon was raised in Seattle, the daughter of a Baptist insurance broker and a Jewish homemaker. She began
Worked as model and showroom manager for dress manufacturer in Los Angeles; did promotional work for "Les Girls"; producer Jerry Wald arranged screen test (date approximate)
Professional TV acting debut in "The Ding-a-Ling Girl" on "Playhouse 90" opposite Art Carney
1960
Feature film acting debut, "The Rise of Legs Diamond"
1962
Broadway debut in "The Fun Couple", with Jane Fonda)
1967
Featured in the Broadway show "The 90-Day Mistress"
