Colleen Farrington was a striking presence in the entertainment and fashion scenes of the 1950s and early 1960s. Known as a fashion model, nightclub singer, and occasional actress, she gained national attention when she appeared as Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month in October 1957. Beyond her own career, she is also remembered as the mother of Academy Award nominated actress Diane Lane. Farrington lived a life that combined glamour, music, family challenges, and later a quieter creative career in interior design.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Colleen Leigh Violet Farrington |
| Date of Birth | August 5, 1936 |
| Place of Birth | Lordsburg, New Mexico, United States |
| Date of Death | October 12, 2015 |
| Age at Death | 79 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Fashion model, nightclub singer, actress, interior designer |
| Famous For | Playboy Playmate October 1957 and mother of Diane Lane |
| Father of Child | Burton Eugene Lane |
| Daughter | Diane Lane |
| Second Husband | Lawrence Price |
| Known Career Fields | Fashion modeling, cabaret singing, theater |
| Later Career | Interior design |
| Place of Death | Jupiter, Florida, United States |
Who Is Colleen Farrington
Colleen Farrington was an American fashion model and performer who gained popularity during the mid twentieth century. She became widely recognized after appearing in Playboy magazine as Playmate of the Month in October 1957. Her career extended beyond modeling, as she also performed as a nightclub singer and appeared in theatrical productions.
Although she had her own presence in the entertainment world, Farrington later became widely known to many people as the mother of Hollywood actress Diane Lane. Lane would go on to earn major recognition in film, including an Academy Award nomination. Farrington’s life combined the glamour of the entertainment industry with complex personal experiences that shaped both her life and her daughter’s early years.
Early Life and Birth in New Mexico
Colleen Leigh Violet Farrington was born on August 5, 1936 in Lordsburg, New Mexico. The town, located in the southwestern United States, was a small community during the 1930s. Growing up in this environment was very different from the glamorous fashion world that she would later enter.
Her early life was shaped by the cultural landscape of the American Southwest. Although relatively little public information exists about her childhood years, it is clear that Farrington eventually developed an interest in performance and public life. This interest would eventually lead her away from her hometown and toward larger cities where opportunities in modeling and entertainment were more accessible.
Family Background and Childhood
Farrington grew up in an era when opportunities for women in entertainment were expanding but still limited. The 1940s and 1950s saw a growing fashion industry in the United States, particularly in cities like New York. Many young women who hoped to work in modeling or performing arts moved to these larger cities to pursue their ambitions.
Her early upbringing helped shape the determination that would later support her career moves. Like many aspiring performers of her time, she would eventually relocate to New York City, which was one of the major centers for fashion, theater, and music.
Moving to New York and Early Modeling Career
Colleen Farrington’s life changed significantly when she moved to New York City. During the 1950s, New York was the heart of the American fashion industry. Designers, photographers, and modeling agencies were based there, making it the ideal place for someone seeking a modeling career.
Farrington quickly entered the modeling world and began working with photographers and designers. Her striking appearance and confidence in front of the camera helped her gain attention in the fashion community. As her reputation grew, she became known as a promising model in New York’s competitive fashion environment.
Success as a High Fashion Model
In the late 1950s, Farrington developed a successful career as a high fashion model. Modeling during this period involved working with designers, appearing in fashion editorials, and participating in promotional campaigns.
Her work placed her among the notable models of her era. The fashion industry during that time was evolving rapidly, and Farrington’s presence in it reflected both the glamour and intensity of the profession. Her modeling career helped introduce her to influential designers and photographers who shaped the industry.
Working With Designer Oleg Cassini
One of the most notable aspects of Farrington’s modeling career was her connection with fashion designer Oleg Cassini. Cassini was one of the most respected designers of his time and later became widely known for designing clothing for Jacqueline Kennedy.
Being a favorite model of Cassini placed Farrington in a prestigious position within the fashion world. Working with such a prominent designer helped strengthen her reputation and increased her visibility within the industry.
This association demonstrated that Farrington had established herself as a model capable of representing sophisticated fashion styles during a period when elegance and glamour were central to the fashion industry.
Playboy Playmate of the Month October 1957
Colleen Farrington gained national recognition when she appeared as Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month in October 1957. At the time, Playboy was one of the most widely read magazines in the United States, and being featured in the publication brought significant public attention.
Her appearance in the magazine introduced her to a much larger audience beyond the fashion world. The October 1957 issue helped establish Farrington as a recognizable figure in American pop culture during the late 1950s.
The Playmate feature reflected the style and cultural trends of that era. It also played a role in shaping her public image and expanding her opportunities within entertainment.
Photography by Peter Basch and National Fame
The photographs for Farrington’s Playboy feature were taken by photographer Peter Basch. Basch was known for capturing images of performers, models, and celebrities, and his work contributed to Farrington’s rising popularity.
The photoshoot itself became notable for the creative process behind it. During the session, Farrington experimented with different hair colors before the final images were selected. Ultimately, the original brunette look was chosen for publication.
The magazine appearance significantly increased her public visibility and helped establish her as a recognizable personality in American media.
Career as a Nightclub Singer and Cabaret Performer
Beyond modeling, Farrington also explored music and live performance. She became a nightclub singer and cabaret performer, performing in venues that were popular in New York’s entertainment scene.
Cabaret performances during this era were a major part of urban nightlife. Performers often sang jazz standards and popular songs in intimate club settings. Farrington’s ability to perform live music demonstrated her versatility as an entertainer.
Her work in cabaret allowed her to expand her career beyond modeling and connect with audiences in a different way.
Life in New York’s Cabaret and Jazz Scene
New York’s cabaret and jazz scene during the late 1950s and early 1960s was vibrant and culturally influential. Many performers built careers through nightclub appearances and live musical performances.
Farrington participated in this lively artistic environment. She performed at venues such as the Latin Quarter nightclub, which was a well known entertainment venue in Manhattan.
This period of her life connected her with musicians, performers, and theater professionals who were shaping the entertainment culture of the time.
Marriage to Acting Coach Burton Eugene Lane
During her time in New York, Colleen Farrington met Burton Eugene Lane, an acting coach and drama instructor. Their relationship eventually led to marriage.
Lane was involved in the performing arts and worked with actors in training. The couple shared connections to the entertainment world, which likely helped bring them together during the early stages of their relationship.
Their marriage marked an important chapter in Farrington’s personal life.
Birth of Daughter Diane Lane
Colleen Farrington and Burton Eugene Lane welcomed their daughter Diane Lane in 1965. Diane would later become one of Hollywood’s respected actresses.
The birth of Diane Lane represented a major turning point in Farrington’s life. Becoming a mother introduced new responsibilities and challenges.
Although Farrington had been involved in entertainment, raising a child would soon become one of the most important aspects of her life.
Early Separation and Divorce From Burton Lane
Farrington and Burton Lane separated very soon after their daughter was born. According to public accounts, the separation occurred when Diane Lane was only thirteen days old.
Their relationship eventually ended in divorce in 1965. The separation led to complex family dynamics as both parents navigated their roles in Diane’s upbringing.
These early family circumstances would later become part of the public narrative surrounding Diane Lane’s childhood.
Colleen Farrington’s Relationship With Diane Lane
The relationship between Colleen Farrington and Diane Lane experienced both challenges and periods of closeness over the years. During Diane’s early childhood, Farrington initially had custody.
Later, Diane moved to live with her father in New York. Despite the physical distance that sometimes separated them, both mother and daughter remained connected through their shared experiences in the arts.
Over time, Diane Lane built a successful acting career, and her mother remained a notable figure in her personal history.
The 1981 Custody Conflict and Legal Battle
One of the most widely discussed moments in their family history occurred in 1981 when Diane Lane was fifteen years old. After Diane briefly ran away to Los Angeles, Farrington took her back to Georgia.
This situation led to a legal dispute regarding custody. The conflict lasted several weeks before the courts allowed Diane to return to New York to live with her father.
The situation created a temporary period of distance between mother and daughter. However, they later reconciled and reconnected.
Colleen Farrington Second Marriage to Lawrence Price
After her divorce from Burton Lane, Colleen Farrington eventually remarried. Her second husband was Lawrence Price.
With this marriage, Farrington entered a new stage of her life and moved away from the entertainment industry that had defined her earlier career. The couple settled in Georgia, where Farrington began focusing on new interests and career paths.
Colleen Farrington Life in Georgia and Later Years in Florida
In Georgia, Farrington transitioned away from modeling and performance. She pursued a career in interior design, a creative field that allowed her to continue working with aesthetics and visual style.
Interior design provided her with a different professional direction and allowed her to build a more private life away from the spotlight.
Later in life she moved to Florida, where she spent her final years.
Colleen Farrington’s Influence on Diane Lane’s Career
Although Diane Lane’s acting career developed independently, her mother’s experiences in entertainment exposed her to the creative world from an early age.
Growing up around performers, artists, and theater professionals helped shape Diane Lane’s early understanding of acting and performance. Farrington’s background in modeling and cabaret reflected a life connected to artistic expression.
While Diane Lane ultimately followed her own path, the environment of creativity surrounding her childhood undoubtedly played a role in shaping her interests.
Personal Life Personality and Private Interests
Colleen Farrington was known for her charismatic personality and artistic interests. Her early work in fashion and cabaret demonstrated a confidence that suited the entertainment industry.
Later in life, she embraced a quieter lifestyle while continuing to pursue creative work through interior design. Friends and acquaintances described her as expressive and independent, qualities that were reflected in both her career choices and personal life.
Colleen Farrington Net Worth and Lifestyle
Precise information about Colleen Farrington’s net worth has never been widely documented in public records. However, her career included modeling, nightclub performances, and later interior design.
While she did not maintain the same level of public visibility as some celebrities, her professional work allowed her to live comfortably during different stages of her life.
Her daughter Diane Lane later achieved substantial success in Hollywood, which further increased public interest in Farrington’s life story.
Death in Jupiter Florida in 2015
Colleen Farrington passed away on October 12, 2015 in Jupiter, Florida. She was seventy nine years old at the time of her death.
Her passing marked the end of a life that had spanned several distinct careers and personal chapters. From the glamour of 1950s fashion modeling to the quieter work of interior design later in life, Farrington experienced many different phases.
Legacy as Diane Lane’s Mother and a 1950s Model
Colleen Farrington’s legacy exists in two primary areas. First, she is remembered for her role in the entertainment and modeling world during the 1950s and early 1960s. Her appearance as a Playboy Playmate and her work in fashion helped establish her place in popular culture of that era.
Second, she remains an important figure in the personal history of actress Diane Lane. As Lane’s mother, Farrington’s life story forms part of the background that shaped one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
Her story reflects the complexities of life in the entertainment industry and the evolving relationships within a family connected to the arts.
FAQs
Who was Colleen Farrington?
Colleen Farrington was an American fashion model, nightclub singer, and actress who gained national attention as Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month in October 1957. She is also known as the mother of actress Diane Lane.
When was Colleen Farrington born?
She was born on August 5, 1936 in Lordsburg, New Mexico in the United States.
Who was Diane Lane’s mother?
Diane Lane’s mother was Colleen Farrington, a model and performer who worked in fashion and cabaret before later becoming an interior designer.
Who was Colleen Farrington married to?
She was first married to acting coach Burton Eugene Lane. After their divorce she later married Lawrence Price.
When did Colleen Farrington die?
Colleen Farrington died on October 12, 2015 in Jupiter, Florida at the age of seventy nine.
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