Movie Mystery Photo


2009_0406_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Diana Sands plays Diahann Carroll's cousin in an episode of "Julia," 1970.

Update: Yes, as nearly everyone realized, this is Diana Sands, who died in 1973 at the age of 39.

Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the answer on Friday. To keep the mystery photo from getting lost in the other entries, I move it from Monday to Tuesday to Wednesday, etc., adding a photo every day.

I have to approve all comments, so if your guess is posted immediately, that means you're wrong. (And if a wrong guess has already been submitted by someone else, there's no point in submitting it again.) If you're right, you will have to wait until Friday. There's no need to submit your guess five times. Once is enough. The only prize is bragging rights. 

The answer to last week's photo: Sheila Ryan.

2009_0410_mystery_photo

Here's a final photo of Diana Sands. Notice anything unusual about it?

1973_0923_diana_sands  

 
Diana_sands_1970_0804_combo_crop

Los Angeles Times file photo

As a few people noticed, the photo of Sugar Ray Robinson, Diana Sands and Diahann Carroll has been altered. Here's a detail shot:

Diana_sands_1970_0804_combo_detail_crop

There was a time when cutting and pasting a photo was considered an art, believe it or not.

2009_0407_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Diana Sands in "Doctors' Wives."

Here's another picture of our mystery woman. Please congratulate Dewey Webb, Eve Golden, Carmen, Sonny King, Atriana, Bernard in NYC, Jeff Comstock, Barbara Klein, Elsie, Pamela Porter, R. Ahuna, Mary Mallory, Vanessa Carey, Edward Cradduck and Sam O'Neal for correctly identifying her!

2009_0408_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Diana Sands and Diahann Carroll in "Julia."

Here's another photo of our mystery woman with a mystery companion. So many people have identified her that I can't list them all. Congratulations!

2009_0409_mystery_photo

Los Angeles Times file photo

Update: Diana Sands in "Georgia, Georgia, 1972.

And here's another picture of our mystery woman!

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
This entry was posted in broadcasting, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, Stage, Television. Bookmark the permalink.

150 Responses to Movie Mystery Photo

  1. Anne Papineau's avatar Anne Papineau says:

    Perry Blackwell?

    Like

  2. Eve's avatar Eve says:

    Is she Diana Sands?

    Like

  3. Pat in Michigan's avatar Pat in Michigan says:

    Diana Lewis?

    Like

  4. Carmen's avatar Carmen says:

    The great Diana Sands.

    Like

  5. Sonny King's avatar Sonny King says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  6. Jany's avatar Jany says:

    Dianne Carroll

    Like

  7. Eliza's avatar Eliza says:

    Dianne Carroll?

    Like

  8. mary mallory's avatar mary mallory says:

    Isabel Sanford.

    Like

  9. Lou Zogby's avatar Lou Zogby says:

    Leontine Price

    Like

  10. ANGELA's avatar ANGELA says:

    Lorraine Hansbury?

    Like

  11. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:

    Florence Ballard?

    Like

  12. ATriana's avatar ATriana says:

    Its the wonderful actress Diana Sands-

    Like

  13. Bernard in NYC's avatar Bernard in NYC says:

    That’s Diana Sands, who appeared in both the stage and film versions of “A Raisin in the Sun” in 1959. Sadly, in 1973 she died of cancer, at age 39.

    Like

  14. Scott Smith's avatar Scott Smith says:

    Jo Marie Payton

    Like

  15. Jeff Comstock's avatar Jeff Comstock says:

    It’s Diana Sands. What do I win!?!

    Like

  16. Barbara Klein's avatar Barbara Klein says:

    The late, great Diana Sands.
    (I hope this goes through; it seems that my first attempt didn’t.)

    Like

  17. annie frye's avatar annie frye says:

    Is it Diana Sands?

    Like

  18. Floradora's avatar Floradora says:

    Madge Sinclair

    Like

  19. Elsie's avatar Elsie says:

    Diana Sands?

    Like

  20. Pamela Porter's avatar Pamela Porter says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  21. Rahuna's avatar Rahuna says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  22. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  23. Vanessa Carey's avatar Vanessa Carey says:

    mystery photo is Diana Sands.

    Like

  24. Dru Duniway's avatar Dru Duniway says:

    Ja’net DuBois

    Like

  25. Edward Cradduck's avatar Edward Cradduck says:

    Looks like Diana Sands who died young in the early seventies.

    Like

  26. Kitty's avatar Kitty says:

    Dionne Warwick

    Like

  27. Sam O'Neal's avatar Sam O'Neal says:

    Diana Sands?

    Like

  28. Pat in Michigan's avatar Pat in Michigan says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  29. Rob Case's avatar Rob Case says:

    Diane Sands – thaks for the clue with the name tag…

    Like

  30. Dru Duniway's avatar Dru Duniway says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  31. rdare's avatar rdare says:

    Diana Sands – the picture is from Doctors Wives

    Like

  32. annie frye's avatar annie frye says:

    Didn’t see my name or comment, but I’m pretty sure it’s Diana Sands. Maybe it didn’t go through last night. Or maybe I haven’t figured out how this works. Lol

    Like

  33. Patty's avatar Patty says:

    Diana Sands?

    Like

  34. Eileen/Joe/Ludie's avatar Eileen/Joe/Ludie says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  35. jax's avatar jax says:

    diana sands

    Like

  36. lilybee's avatar lilybee says:

    Altovise Davis?

    Like

  37. Sandy Harrison's avatar Sandy Harrison says:

    I wouldn’t have recognized her otherwise, but the nameplate “Helen Straughn” makes it easy to deduce in the internet age. “Doctors’ Wives” (1971) starring Richard Crenna, with Diana Sands as Helen Straughn.
    It’s very sad to learn she died so young. She had a great smile.

    Like

  38. TJ's avatar TJ says:

    You shouldn’t have put in the picture with the name tag! One google search later … Diana Sands!

    Like

  39. zapgun's avatar zapgun says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  40. Teresa's avatar Teresa says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  41. Johnny Beano's avatar Johnny Beano says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  42. bobby rivers's avatar bobby rivers says:

    Ketty Lester

    Like

  43. m burger's avatar m burger says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  44. walter's avatar walter says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  45. bruce's avatar bruce says:

    diana sands

    Like

  46. Sharon's avatar Sharon says:

    I could have sworn it was Weezieeeee, but my next guess would be Shirley Bassey.

    Like

  47. Clariece J's avatar Clariece J says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  48. Cedric's avatar Cedric says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  49. Sandra's avatar Sandra says:

    Diane Sands

    Like

  50. Sharyn's avatar Sharyn says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  51. andrea's avatar andrea says:

    Diane Sands

    Like

  52. andrea's avatar andrea says:

    Diana Sands – starred in a raisin in the sun as Sidney Potier younger sister

    Like

  53. Patricia's avatar Patricia says:

    Julia!

    Like

  54. JCS's avatar JCS says:

    Is it Diana Sands?

    Like

  55. Diane Mitcham's avatar Diane Mitcham says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  56. Cynthia Keillor's avatar Cynthia Keillor says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  57. Kimberly Woods's avatar Kimberly Woods says:

    Diana Sand

    Like

  58. michaelryerson's avatar michaelryerson says:

    This is the beautiful Diana Sands of A Raisin in the Sun who died much too young.

    Like

  59. Unknown's avatar carol says:

    This is Diana Sands

    Like

  60. Mark Orewyler's avatar Mark Orewyler says:

    Leontyne Price

    Like

  61. Nancy Price's avatar Nancy Price says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  62. Mark Orewyler's avatar Mark Orewyler says:

    Jessye Norman

    Like

  63. Paul's avatar Paul says:

    DIANA SANDS

    Like

  64. Cheryl's avatar Cheryl says:

    Dianne Sands.

    Like

  65. Elizabeth Berger's avatar Elizabeth Berger says:

    I think its Isabel Sanford.

    Like

  66. Marie Jackson's avatar Marie Jackson says:

    JoMarie Payton

    Like

  67. Robert Tucker's avatar Robert Tucker says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  68. Anne Papineau's avatar Anne Papineau says:

    Diana Sands?

    Like

  69. Mark Orewyler's avatar Mark Orewyler says:

    Maxine Waters

    Like

  70. Rahmani's avatar Rahmani says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  71. Janet's avatar Janet says:

    Rosalind Cash

    Like

  72. sharon lane's avatar sharon lane says:

    This is a picture of Diana Sands

    Like

  73. Kathleen's avatar Kathleen says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  74. Courtney Chesney's avatar Courtney Chesney says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  75. Joyce's avatar Joyce says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  76. laytonian's avatar laytonian says:

    Diana Sands (the most beautiful actress, who died of cancer before she was 40)

    Like

  77. Horace Langford Jr's avatar Horace Langford Jr says:

    Mystery Photo: Actress Diana Sands

    Like

  78. Caroline Sisneros's avatar Caroline Sisneros says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  79. BOBS's avatar BOBS says:

    The actress is Diana Sands.

    Like

  80. David Martin's avatar David Martin says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  81. jean's avatar jean says:

    Dorothy Dandridge

    Like

  82. George Musher's avatar George Musher says:

    Leslie Uggams

    Like

  83. Jeanene's avatar Jeanene says:

    Actress Diana Sands

    Like

  84. George Musher's avatar George Musher says:

    Diana Ross

    Like

  85. Horace Langford Jr's avatar Horace Langford Jr says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  86. Jamie Jacks's avatar Jamie Jacks says:

    Diana Sands?

    Like

  87. George Musher's avatar George Musher says:

    natalie cole

    Like

  88. Smitty's avatar Smitty says:

    Jennifer Lewis

    Like

  89. Shag's avatar Shag says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  90. Sullivan's avatar Sullivan says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  91. Mark Orewyler's avatar Mark Orewyler says:

    Shirley Ralph

    Like

  92. Rosalyn's avatar Rosalyn says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  93. Diana Sands, though she didn’t play at the Vegas hotel named for her.
    How did I know? Traced the character name on her uniform. Once had a crush on her too. How quickly I forgot.

    Like

  94. Alice Platt's avatar Alice Platt says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  95. Harris Cohen's avatar Harris Cohen says:

    Diana Sands!

    Like

  96. william's avatar william says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  97. Gary B.'s avatar Gary B. says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  98. Linda's avatar Linda says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  99. TBergin's avatar TBergin says:

    Diana Sands shown playing a nurse in the movie ‘Doctor’s Wives’

    Like

  100. John O'Shea's avatar John O'Shea says:

    Altovise Davis, I think

    Like

  101. John O'Shea's avatar John O'Shea says:

    Altovise Davis

    Like

  102. David Colker's avatar David Colker says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  103. Lawrence King's avatar Lawrence King says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  104. Stan Coleite's avatar Stan Coleite says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  105. Mandy's avatar Mandy says:

    Diahann Carol

    Like

  106. Mechelle B's avatar Mechelle B says:

    DIANA SANDS

    Like

  107. Don Highley's avatar Don Highley says:

    Diana Sands
    She was in “Raisin in the Sun” with Sidney Poiter.

    Like

  108. Lance Lakes's avatar Lance Lakes says:

    Jenifer Lewis

    Like

  109. jim davis's avatar jim davis says:

    little Richard

    Like

  110. Miguel F.'s avatar Miguel F. says:

    The actress’ name is Diana Sands

    Like

  111. Deborah's avatar Deborah says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  112. tarbubble's avatar tarbubble says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  113. Willie Davis's avatar Willie Davis says:

    Diahann Carroll from the tv show Julia

    Like

  114. Mary Poppins's avatar Mary Poppins says:

    Barbara McNair?

    Like

  115. Matt Harwood's avatar Matt Harwood says:

    Diana Sands!

    Like

  116. Howard Jones's avatar Howard Jones says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  117. Stu's avatar Stu says:

    Diana Sands. I remembered her from the movie ‘The Landlord’ with Jeff Brigdes.

    Like

  118. Anthony Morris's avatar Anthony Morris says:

    This is a wonderful actress, the late Diana Sands, who died at the age of thirty-nine of cancer.

    Like

  119. Henry's avatar Henry says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  120. Donnell Lloyd's avatar Donnell Lloyd says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  121. Stephen's avatar Stephen says:

    Dianna Sands/

    Like

  122. Carrie Thompson's avatar Carrie Thompson says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  123. Regina Wilcots's avatar Regina Wilcots says:

    the actress is Diana Sands

    Like

  124. Esther L. Bohannon's avatar Esther L. Bohannon says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  125. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    Diana Sands from Raisin in the Sun?

    Like

  126. TonyJoe's avatar TonyJoe says:

    Roxie Roker? I can’t place the scene but that smile looks familiar.

    Like

  127. Jeff Hanna's avatar Jeff Hanna says:

    diana sands

    Like

  128. Stacia's avatar Stacia says:

    Diana Sands! She died way too young.

    Like

  129. Rob Case's avatar Rob Case says:

    Dianne Carroll as the mystery guest…

    Like

  130. michaelryerson's avatar michaelryerson says:

    Well, as I said that’s the beautiful Diana Sands and here she’s shown with her real life, good friend Diahann Carroll sporting some serious eyelashes.

    Like

  131. herb nichols's avatar herb nichols says:

    diana sands

    Like

  132. Monica M. Dove's avatar Monica M. Dove says:

    Ms. Diana Sands
    Third photo with mystery person is
    Ms. Diana Sands and Ms. Dianne Carrol

    Like

  133. deborah celle's avatar deborah celle says:

    Diana Sands.

    Like

  134. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    The second photo shows Sands in Doctors’ Wives. The last photo is of course she with Diahann Carroll in Julia.

    Like

  135. Angus's avatar Angus says:

    Diana Sands, pictured with Diahann Carroll.

    Like

  136. LC's avatar LC says:

    Diana Sands and Dianne Carroll, of course. Just had to get my 2 cents in.

    Like

  137. Sam's avatar Sam says:

    Diana Sands is the mystery photo and the companion photo is Diahann Carroll

    Like

  138. TonyJoe's avatar TonyJoe says:

    Okay, you can’t make it much easier than that. The mystery star is Diana Sands and your final clue with Diahann Carroll leaves no doubt.

    Like

  139. David Warheit's avatar David Warheit says:

    It’s Diana Sands, a great talent.

    Like

  140. jomace's avatar jomace says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  141. Anne's avatar Anne says:

    Diana Sands
    The hint was the name tag Helen Straughn.

    Like

  142. Anthony H. Morris's avatar Anthony H. Morris says:

    Diana Sands. A wonderful actress who dies of cancer at age 39.

    Like

  143. John Oliver's avatar John Oliver says:

    That is Diana Sands.

    Like

  144. Rogét-L.A.'s avatar Rogét-L.A. says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  145. Meredith Wright's avatar Meredith Wright says:

    Diana Sands

    Like

  146. Dewey Webb's avatar Dewey Webb says:

    Mystery man is Sugar Ray Robinson; photo has been cut up and taped together for space; women almost look like twins–but does that qualify as “unusual”?

    Like

  147. Rob Case's avatar Rob Case says:

    it is 2 different photos spliced together

    Like

Comments are closed.