Diana Gibson: Movies & Box Office

Diana Gibson, born Rosemary LaBie on March 21, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois, emerged from a modest Midwestern upbringing to become a notable figure in early Hollywood cinema. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. LaBie, she first gained public attention after winning a beauty contest sponsored by the Balaban and Katz theater chain, an achievement that prompted her relocation to Los Angeles and a brief stint as a night‑club dancer. In 1935 she signed a contract with Universal Pictures, at which time the studio changed her name to Diana Gibson, marking the official start of her film career with a supporting role in His Night Out. Over the next four years she appeared in a total of eighteen films, ranging from uncredited parts to leading roles, most famously opposite John Wayne in the 1937 adventure Adventure's End. Her performances were characterized by a blend of vivacious charm and a steady on‑screen presence, earning her a modest but devoted fan base during the golden age of B‑movies. By 1938 her on‑screen opportunities began to dwindle, and after a final credited appearance in the 1938 western Western Welcome she retired from film work in 1939. After leaving the silver screen, Gibson transitioned to television and local business pursuits. In 1954 she became the host of The Talk of the Town on WLBR‑TV in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later served as the hostess of Know Your Hospital, showcasing her adaptability and public‑speaking skills. She also worked as treasurer for the Lebanon News Publishing Company, reflecting a shift toward business administration. Her personal life included a marriage to actor‑turned‑publisher Jack Schropp; the couple settled in Key Largo, Florida, before moving to Coral Gables, where she lived until her death on October 12, 1991. Gibson’s legacy endures as a representative example of the many talented performers whose brief yet vibrant careers helped shape early American cinema and who later reinvented themselves beyond Hollywood.