Diane D'Aquila

Diane D'Aquila
Born (1952-10-23) October 23, 1952 (age 72)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
OccupationActress
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1987⁠–⁠1992)​

Diane D'Aquila (born October 23, 1952)[1] is an American-Canadian actress. She has appeared in both television and film roles, but is best known for her stage appearances at the Stratford Festival.

Early life

Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, D'Aquila was raised in Minneapolis.[2] She spent much of her adult life and career in Canada and holds dual citizenship.[3]

Career

D'Aquila originated the role of Elizabeth I of England in Timothy Findley's play, Elizabeth Rex. She won both an ACTRA Award and a Gemini Award in 2005 for her performance in the play's television adaptation.

In 2009, she played Mary Mercer in Soulpepper's revival of David French's Of the Fields, Lately.[4] She appeared on television and films including such appearances in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Street Legal, Used People, The Ray Bradbury Theater, Hangin' In, Jane's House, The Long Island Incident, 72 Hours: True Crime, Milk and Honey and Slings and Arrows.

She has done voice-overs in animation including Little Bear as Grandmother Bear, Franklin as Miss Lynx, Bob and Margaret, Bad Dog, Ultraforce, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, Medabots, Roboroach, Rescue Heroes, Rolie Polie Olie, Freaky Stories, Ned's Newt, Angela Anaconda, Monster Force, Flash Gordon, George Shrinks, Timothy Goes to School, Blaster's Universe, Flying Rhino Junior High, The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police, Pippi Longstocking, Dumb Bunnies, Highlander: The Animated Series, World of Quest, The Seventh Portal, Chilly Beach, Wilbur, The Berenstain Bears, Tales from the Cryptkeeper, The Neverending Story, Corduroy, Pandalian, Busytown Mysteries, Kaput and Zosky, Jane and the Dragon, The Avengers: United They Stand, Silver Surfer and Cyberchase.

In 2017, D'Aquila portrayed the title role in King Lear at Toronto's Shakespeare in High Park, one of relatively few women ever to have performed the traditionally male role.[5]

Personal life

D'Aquila was married to Canadian actor C. David Johnson from 1987 to 1992.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1981 The Last Chase Santana
1987 A Winter Tan Edith
1988 Milk and Honey David's Teacher
1990 Thick as Thieves Doris
1991 Married to It Madeleine Rothenberg
1992 Used People Rose
1998 Striking Poses Valerie
2009 Caesar and Cleopatra Ftatateeta
2010 Good Neighbours Miss Van Ilen
2011 Take This Waltz Harriet
2018 Never Saw It Coming Ellie Garfield

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1977 For the Record Maria Episode: "Maria"
1978 Performance Brooke Episode: "Brooke"
1983 Hangin' In Freda Episode: "The Actress and the Bishops"
1987 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ellen Powell Episode: "World's Oldest Motive"
1987 Echoes in the Darkness Pat Schnure 2 episodes
1988 The Ann Jillian Story Dr. Francine Caldwell Television film
1988 The Ray Bradbury Theater Clarisse Episode: "Skeleton"
1988 9B Stella Wevers Episode: "Relationships"
1989 Sorry, Wrong Number Sally Dutch Television film
1990 My Secret Identity Sarah Wilson Episode: "Misfire"
1990 Street Legal Noreen Masters Episode: "The Psychic"
1992 Last Wish Maryanne Television film
1992 Black Death Nurse Daniels
1992 Heritage Minutes Agnes Macphail Episode: "Agnes Macphail"
1993 E.N.G. Marcia Stanfield Episode: "The Big Sleepover"
1993–1997 The Busy World of Richard Scarry Voice 36 episodes
1994 Jane's House Marion Television film
1994 Mary Silliman's War Abby Nash
1994 The Forget-Me-Not Murders Alexis
1995 A Family Divided Inez Frank
1995 The Possession of Michael D. Charlotte
1995–2003 Little Bear Grandmother Bear (voice) 17 episodes
1995 Ultraforce Ruth Green Episode: "Prime Time"
1996 Beyond the Call Angela Television film
1997 The Last Don Sophia Ballazzo 2 episodes
1997 Freaky Stories Narrator Episode: "Not the Waltons"
1998 The Long Island Incident Dr. Ellen Lipsky Television film
1998 Franklin Miss Lynx Episode: "Franklin Takes a Trip/Franklin's Bicycle Helmet"
1999 Family of Cops 3 Orientation Cop Television film
1999 Traders Michaela Episode: "Every Secret Thing"
2001 George Shrinks Edna Bellbottom (voice) Episode: "The More Things Change"
2002 Two Against Time Dr. Wilmer Television film
2003–2005 72 Hours: True Crime Narrator 21 episodes
2004 Elizabeth Rex Queen Elizabeth Television film
2005–2006 Slings & Arrows Minister of Culture 3 episodes
2007 Booky and the Secret Santa Mrs. Eaton Television film
2014 Saving Hope Ida Episode: "En Bloc"
2017 Alias Grace Mrs. Quenell 3 episodes
2019 Diggstown Eleanor Thompson Episode: "Delroy Nelson"

References

  1. ^ "Diane D'Aquila | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  2. ^ Johnson, Lawrence B. (2012-01-09). "Role Playing: Diane D'Aquila's twice regal portrait as lover-monarch in 'Elizabeth Rex'". Chicago On the Aisle. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  3. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2011-09-19). "Veteran actor Diane D'Aquila sharpens her theatrical edge". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  4. ^ J. Kelly Nestruck, "Worthy of revival but too sentimental". The Globe and Mail, July 3, 2009.
  5. ^ "Actress Diane D’Aquila on playing the role of King Lear as a woman". The Globe and Mail, July 5, 2017.