Diana Douglas Webster Dies At 92

The world lost a legendary talent today, as it has been reported that Diana Douglas Webster died on Saturday, July 4, at the age of 92. According to Variety, the first wife of Kirk Douglas and mother of Michael Douglas lost a battle to cancer and passed in Woodland Hills, California. Webster's illustrious career spanned over 70 years, with her earliest film debut being an uncredited role in 1942's Keeper of the Flame. Webster went on to build an esteemed film repertoire where she appeared in over 20 movies, and also garnered accolades by performing on Broadway, producing, and releasing a memoir in 1999. Some of her most notable roles included Peg in the movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Evelyn Gromberg in It Runs in the Family, and television roles on Love Is a Many Spendored Thing and ER. Webster also appeared on the West Wing in 2004 as Libby Lasseter.

Although Webster and Kirk divorced in 1951, the two were able to maintain a positive relationship both personally and professionally, appearing together as a married couple in It Runs in the Family. In a 2011 interview, Webster spoke on being able to maintain a friendship with her ex-husband. "But then I think we both decided too, when the time of divorce came, that we had to maintain a certain amount of civility because of the children," she said. "I know Michael has said since being an adult that he was always very grateful that we never did badmouth each other. Sometimes we probably wanted to." During the interview, she also praised Kirk's wife, Anne Buydens.

An inspirational figure and masterful talent, Webster will be sorely missed.