Diane D. Griffith

Diane D. Griffith, aka Diane D. Beam, was born in San Francisco, California. She later relocated with her family to the small town of Sebastopol in Northern California. From a young age, Diane was fascinated with the mysteries of time, space, and the Universe. After High School, Diane attended Santa Rosa Jr. College, before transferring to BYU (University) where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physics with an emphasis in Astronomy, modern Cosmology focusing on the origin and fate the Universe, from ancient myth to modern scientific discovery. While working in the Univerity Physics department at BYU, Diane taught astronomy courses at the Eyring Science Center deep Sky Observation deck and the Sarah Summerhayes planetarium delivering constellation and deep-sky lectures to university students and the general public Diane paused her university studies for two years while serving a mission in Paris, France, and surrounding cities. Following the completion of her mission, Diane resumed her studies at the University to complete her bachelor's degree (BA) in Physics with an emphasis in Astronomy/Astrophysics. After graduation, Diane took a full-time position at the former Hansen Planetarium, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a star show writer, director, producer, and public lecturer. Diane received her MFA, Master's degree in Film Studies from the University of Utah, while also working at University Film Studies Department as a film course instructor. Diane is best known for her work with co-author, scientist Stephen W. Hawking. Their core production/collaboration titled Stephen W. Hawking's Fate of the Universe" focused on the origin, nature, and future of the Universe. Fate of the Universe[/i"] was originally produced and aired as a public planetarium star show at the former Hansen Planetarium. This program was widely received and followed by a 35 mm film (in post-production) of the same title. "Stephen W. Hawking's Fate of the Universe was written and produced with co-author, scientist Stephen W. Hawking, Ph.D. The production originally aired at the Salt Lake City, Hansen Planetarium. The star show and film feature Stephen Hawking's key scientific contributions as well as the work of additional leading world-class scientists. Diane held the title, of director/producer of select internationally distributed mixed-format science and star show programs funded through national resources including the National Science Foundation/I]". During her time at the Hansen Planetarium, Diane along with additional staff members produced nationally funded/distributed star show productions including: Beyond the Horizon" as narrated by Star Trek" actor Patrick Stewart and Cosmic Catastrophes." These programs were widely distributed to planetariums and science centers. Both the star show and documentary film feature Stephen on-camera presenting key scientific theories and discoveries. The program also revealed select ancient views of the origin of the cosmos. The film presents Professor Hawking on camera at locations on the Cambridge University, UK campus. Professor Hawking was also filmed at majestic landscapes located in Utah's Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Prior to filming the feature documentary film, Professor Hawking traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the grand premiere of their co-written feature planetarium "star show" production of the same title Stephen Hawking's Fate of the Universe. The show was produced by Diane Beam and the Salt Lake City, Hansen full planetarium production team. During Professor Hawking's visit to Utah's Salt Lake City Stephen delivered a public lecture to "packed" Utah audiences, followed by a public question and answer session. As Salt Lake news station, KSL reported described the events "Rock Star size crowds for a scientist who studies the stars". Following the success of their "star show" production, Stephen and Diane reunited to co-write and produce a 35mm feature film of the same title. Filming took place both in the UK and Utah. This film is in post-production. In addition to her work as a writer, director, and producer, Diane works in film, television, and stage in various roles including writer, film crew, actor, and background including the feature film "The Happy Worker" as directed by Duwayne Dunham and Executive producer David Lynch; "Good Joe Bell" featuring actor Mark Wahlberg; and select episodes of the television series "Yellowstone" as created, written and directed by Taylor Sheridan and featuring actor Kevin Costner. In her early years in Northern California, Diane portrayed "Alice" in her high school "young actors" stage production of Alice in Wonderland. This was followed by the Santa Rosa, California, community stage production, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown as created by writer/artist/cartoonist, Charles Schultz. Diane appears in the production performing the role of "Peppermint Patty". Mr. Charles Schultz generously donated the use of the original Broadway stage set to the young actor's production." Charles Schultz also attended the live public performance and provided generous critical feedback to the young actors. Diane was raised with her four maternal Beam sisters in Northern California. Diane's maternal line includes the surnames: Levin, Rosenthal, and Hadley. Diane discovered late in life her paternal, biological surname is "Griffith". Her birth father served in the Korean War. Later in life, through DNA testing, Diane discovered a paternal Griffith brother living in Southern California. Diane's mother, Lorraine Ann, in her youth was a writer, dancer, and in later years, the hospital administrative secretary, in Sebastopols California. Diane's biological Griffith father was a writer and engineer. Diane has five "Beam" sisters and one "Griffith" brother. Diane has two sons, Nate and Gentry. Diane lives in the foothills of Mount Olympus, Utah where she continues her work as writer/actor/producer.