Famed model Diane Webber, whose image influenced a pre-Disney generation of Mermaid admirers, has died.

Marguerite Diane Empey, also known as Diane Webber, passed away recently. Webber was an American model and actress; since the late 1950s, she symbolized what a real mermaid would look like.

Webber was born on July 27, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Marguerite (née Andrus) and screen writer Arthur Guy Empey.

Under the name Marguerite Empey she was Playboy magazine’s “Playmate of the Month” in May 1955 and in February 1956, the latter of which, according to Wikipedia, “includes an underwater photo which clearly shows her pubic hair — a Playboy first.” The photos for her 1956 appearance were taken by campy softcore director Russ Meyer.

Marguerite Empey worked as a chorus girl and took formal ballet training. In 1961, she married Joe Webber. She later took an interest in nudism, appearing in numerous nudist magazines. Her classic beauty was quite apparent and tasteful.

Webber died on August 19, 2008, in Los Angeles at the age of 76.

Filmography
The Trial of Billy Jack (1974) …. Belly-Dance instructor
The Witchmaker (1969) …. The Nautch of Tangier
Sinthia, the Devil’s Doll (1968) …. The Housewife
The Swinger (1966) (uncredited) …. Model #12
Mermaids of Tiburon (1962) …. Mermaid Queen

Notable TV guest appearances
“Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” playing “Mermaid” in episode: “The Mermaid” (episode # 3.19) 29 January 1967
“Alfred Hitchcock Presents” playing “The Other Woman” in episode: “The Pearl Necklace” (episode # 6.29) 2 May 1961
“Peter Gunn” playing “Midge” in episode: “Scuba” (episode # 1.21) 16 February 1959.

For more on Mermaids, Mermen, and Merbeings at Cryptomundo, see here.

Update:
Boing Boing’s David Pescovitz posts that about this obit, and adds his own link to a YouTube screening of Mermaids of Tiburon.

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