Acting
Diana Napier
Diana Napier, born Alice Mary Ellis on January 31, 1905, in Bath, Somerset, was a prominent English film actress who graced the screen until her passing on March 12, 1982, in Windlesham, Surrey, at the age of 77. Affectionately known as "Mollie" to her family, Napier had a rich personal life, having been married three times. Her first marriage was to actor G.H. Mulcaster in 1927, followed by a union with the renowned Austrian tenor Richard Tauber from 1936 until his death in 1948. In 1953, she married Polish artist Stanislaw Wolkowicki, whom she had met during World War II; he passed away in 1965, and she was laid to rest beside him at the Churchyard of St Michael and All Angels in Sunningdale, Berkshire.
The daughter of Major APB Ellis, an ENT specialist and army surgeon, and Alice Napier, she adopted her mother’s maiden name for her acting career. After spending part of her childhood in South Africa, Napier returned to England to pursue stage work. Her film journey began with a screen test from Alexander Korda, leading to her notable role in the 1935 film "Mimi," alongside Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Her connection with Tauber flourished during this period, leading to collaborative projects.
During World War II, she joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, serving in various capacities, including caring for Polish soldiers. After the war, she established a design firm, Diana Display Ltd., and authored works celebrating her late husband’s legacy, including a biography and an autobiography.
