Diana Patricia SandsJet, May 21, 1970 (August 22, 1934September 21, 1973) was an American actress, perhaps most known for her portrayal of Beneatha Younger, the sister of Sidney Poitier's character, Walter, in the original stage and film versions of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun (1959).

Sands also appeared in a number of dramatic television series in the 1960s and 1970s such as Dr. Julia Harrison in the 1964 Outer Limits episode "The Mice", the 1965-1968 series I Spy, as Davala Unawa in the 1967 The Fugitive episode "Dossier on a Diplomat", and the 1968 series Julia.Jet, Mar 19, 1970 Sands also starred in the 1963 film An Affair of the Skin as the narrator and photographer, Janice. She was twice nominated for a Tony Award and twice nominated for an Emmy Award.

Biography Early life and education Diana Patricia Sands was born one of three children in the Bronx, New York City, on August 22, 1934, to Rudolph Sands, a Bahamian carpenter, and Shirley (née Thomas), a milliner. Having attended elementary school in Elmsford, New York, she enrolled in 1949 at the Music & Art High School (now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School), where she was a classmate of Diahann Carroll and Billy Dee Williams.Sepia, Volume 26, Issues 7-12, 1977 While there, Sands received her first role in a school production of George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara. After graduating in 1953, she began her professional career as a dancer, touring with a traveling carnival.

Career In 1959, Sands landed the role of Beneatha Younger in the Broadway production of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Two years later, she co-starred alongside Claudia McNeil, Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee in the film version of the play. Sands later became a member of the Actors Studio.

In 1964, she was in the first production of James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie; her performance was noted as a highlight of the show. Later the same year she starred opposite Alan Alda in the original Broadway production of The Owl and the Pussycat, gaining a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The show ran for a year, after which she spent much of 1966 starring in the play's London production, playing this time opposite Anton Rodgers.'U.S. Two-Hander for Town', The Stage, February 10, 1966, page 1.

In 1970, Sands co-starred in the film The Landlord, subsequently appearing in Doctors' Wives and Georgia, Georgia. During this time, Sands met musician Bob Dylan, who, in his memoirs, called her "an electrifying actress who I might have been secretly in love with."Bob Dylan: No Direction Home - By Robert Shelton During the fall of 1972, Sands filmed Honeybaby, Honeybaby on location in Beirut, Lebanon, co-starring Calvin Lockhart. According to Lockhart, Sands went to a local hospital during the filming, knowing that she was already seriously ill.Jet, Jun 20, 1974 Also in 1972, Sands was engaged to provide a track for the Original New York Cast album of Free to Be... You and Me. However, she had died by the time the ABC Afterschool Special began production, and her previously recorded vocal track wasn't used.

In early 1973, Sands appeared in Willie Dynamite, a blaxploitation film co-starring Roscoe Orman. In late August, she began filming Claudine alongside James Earl Jones in the Harlem section of New York City.Jet, Aug 23, 1973 According to October 1973 articles published in Jet, Sands collapsed a week into filming and was rushed to a local hospital in early September. During surgery, doctors discovered a cancerous growth in Sands' abdomen, which was diagnosed as pancreatic cancer.Jet, Oct 4, 1973Jet, Oct 11, 1973 Due to her aggressive illness, Sands was unable to continue and suggested that her longtime friend Diahann Carroll replace her;CBS News - Diahann Carroll, pioneering actress and Oscar nominee, has died at age 84 - OCTOBER 4, 2019 the film's producers agreed and cast Carroll.

Personal life Sands was married once and had no children. From October 1964 until 1966, she was married to Swiss artist Lucien Happersberger.Jet, April 21, 1966Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America - By Christopher BramJet, Jul 22, 1965 At the time of her death, Sands was engaged to Kurt Baker, who was an assistant film director.

Death On September 21, 1973, Sands died of leiomyosarcoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York City, aged 39.Ebony, Jan 1974 Sands' Funeral Mass was held on October 5, 1973, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Manhattan, New York. Afterwards, she was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

Legacy In 1976, Junior High School 147, located in the Bronx, New York, was named in Sands' honor."IS 147 Named for Diana Sands". N.Y. Amsterdam News. June 19, 1976. p. C4. Retrieved via FultonHistory.com (digitized historic New York State newspapers), 2019-12-29. "A Junior High School 147 in the Bronx has been named for the late actress Diana Sands."

Selected credits Theatre Year Production Role Theatre(s) Notes1969The Gingham DogJohn Golden Theatre1968Saint JoanJoanVivian Beaumont TheaterTiger at the GatesCassandraVivian Beaumont TheaterWe Bombed in New HavenRuthAmbassador Theatre1965The PremiseThe PremiseImprovisational theatre with material by the performers.1964Blues for Mister CharlieJuanitaANTA PlayhouseTony Award nomination, Best Featured Actress in a PlayThe Owl and the PussycatDoris W.ANTA PlayhouseRoyale TheatreTony Award nomination, Best Actress in a Play1963The Living Premise Obie Award, Distinguished Performance1962Tiger, Tiger Burning BrightAdelaide SmithBooth TheatreTheatre World Award1959A Raisin in the SunBeneatha YoungerEthel Barrymore TheatreBelasco Theatre Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Drama Performance

Partial filmography

Caribbean Gold (1952) - Native Woman (uncredited) Four Boys and a Gun (1957) - (uncredited) A Face in the Crowd (1957) - Homeless Black Woman (uncredited) Carib Gold (1957) Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) - Club Hostess (uncredited) A Raisin in the Sun (1961) - Beneatha Younger An Affair of the Skin (1963) - Janice Ensign Pulver (1964) - Mila The Landlord (1970) - Fanny Doctors' Wives (1971) - Helen Straughn Georgia, Georgia (1972) - Georgia Martin Willie Dynamite (1974) - Cora Honeybaby, Honeybaby (1974) - Laura Lewis (final film role)

References

External links

Yale University article with photo