Dian Parkinson (born Diana Lynn Batts; November 30, 1944) is an American former actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She represented the United States at Miss World 1965 in London, where she placed 1st runner-up. From 1975 to 1993, Parkinson served as a model on The Price Is Right.[1]
Dian Parkinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Diana Lynn Batts November 30, 1944 |
| Occupation(s) | Model, actress, beauty pageant |
| Known for | The Price Is Right |
| Children | None |
Career history
editIn 1965, while living in Falls Church, Virginia, Parkinson won the Miss District of Columbia USA title and competed as Diana Batts in the Miss USA 1965 pageant, where she placed fourth runner-up.[2] Parkinson won the 1965 Miss USA World contest.[3] She went on to represent the United States in the international Miss World 1965 contest, and was first runner-up to Lesley Langley of the United Kingdom.[4]
Parkinson travelled during 1965 with the Bob Hope USO Show, including performances in Vietnam during late December 1965, and also served as Queen of the 1965 Bob Hope Desert Classic golf tournament.[5]
In 1975, Parkinson was a guest star on The Mary Tyler Moore Show ("Ted's Moment of Glory").[6]
In 1978, Parkinson appeared in the pilot of the TV series Vega$.[7]
From 1975 to 1993, Parkinson was a model on the US television game show The Price Is Right. Her 18-year tenure on the show was among the longest of any of the models, tied for third with Holly Hallstrom, and third only to Rachel Reynolds, who has been with the show since 2003 and Janice Pennington, who was with the show for more than 28 years.[citation needed]
Departure from The Price Is Right
editParkinson left the show in 1993, supposedly to "pursue other interests", as host Bob Barker announced during her final taping, which aired on June 18, 1993.
In 1994, Parkinson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court (case no. BC106366) against Barker for sexual harassment. The suit was withdrawn in April 1995, with Parkinson claiming it was too costly and had taken a toll on her health.[8]
Playboy
editParkinson was the cover girl of Playboy in December 1991[9] at the age of 47 and again in May 1993.[10] In 1993, Parkinson was featured exclusively in a Playboy "Newsstand Edition" photo magazine entitled Playboy Presents Dian Parkinson. Also in 1993, the video Playboy Celebrity Centrefold: Dian Parkinson was released.[11]
EZ Krunch
editIn 1993, Parkinson was the official spokesperson for the home exercise equipment machine EZ Krunch.[12]
Space Ghost: Coast to Coast
editIn 1994, Parkinson appeared as a guest on the animated talk show Space Ghost: Coast to Coast ("Punch").[13]
Personal life
editIn November 2019, Parkinson listed a residence in Westlake Village, California.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Former 'Price Is Right' model Dian Parkinson lists Westlake Village home for $3.125M". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
- ^ "Miss D.C. Captures A Miss USA. Title With Tresses Intact". 1965-08-23. p. B9. Retrieved 2007-02-25.[dead link]
- ^ Miss World USA Titleholders Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, jimmyspageantpage.com; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ Miss World 2008[permanent dead link], missworld.tv; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - The Tradition of the Classic Girls, bhcc.com; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ ""The Mary Tyler Moore Show" Ted's Moment of Glory (TV Episode 1975) - IMDb". IMDb.
- ^ "Vega$" High Roller (TV Episode 1978) - IMDb, retrieved 2019-04-04
- ^ Bob Barker to face courtroom battle after model's suit ruled valid Archived 2009-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, v; accessed April 2, 2017.
- ^ "Super Model - Dian Parkinson - Playboy Plus". www.playboyplus.com. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- ^ "Classics - Dian's Back! - Playboy Plus". www.playboyplus.com. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- ^ "Playboy Celebrity Centrefold: Dian Parkinson (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- ^ Coolestmovies (2009-10-11), 1990's INFOMERCIAL HELL #12: Dian Parkinson shills for the exercise gadget EZ Krunch, archived from the original on 2021-12-22, retrieved 2019-04-04
- ^ Dian Parkinson on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast