Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was a groundbreaking American comedian, actress, and author.

She became a household name during a time when very few women worked in stand-up comedy. Diller was famous for a unique stage persona that used eccentricity to create humor. She wore wild, gigantic hair and garish, baggy dresses. Her performances were defined by an exaggerated, cackling laugh. This laugh signaled to the audience that she was in on her own jokes. She used self-deprecating humor, which means she made jokes about her own perceived flaws or lack of sex appeal.

To build her successful career, Diller relied on intense preparation and original writing. She kept a dedicated file cabinet filled with her own gags. She would constantly hone her nightclub act to ensure the timing was perfect. Because the comedy circuit was mostly male-dominated, she had no female role models to follow. She filled this gap by using props and satire. For example, she would spoof classical music concerts or advice columns. She even used a wooden cigarette in a holder, even though she did not actually smoke.

Diller's professional journey began with many different roles. She worked as a women's editor for a newspaper and an advertising copywriter. In 1952, she began broadcasting at KROW radio in Oakland, California. She even filmed a 15-minute series called "Phyllis Diller, the Homely Friendmaker." This series featured her dressed in a housecoat offering absurd advice to homemakers. Her true professional stand-up debut occurred on March 7, 1955, at The Purple Onion in San Francisco. Her performance was so successful that her two-week booking lasted for 89 consecutive weeks.

Phyllis Ada Driver was born on July 17, 1917, in Lima, Ohio. She was the only child of Perry Marcus Driver and Frances Ada Romshe. Her parents were older than usual, aged 55 and 36 when she was born. Growing up, Diller attended several funerals, which gave her an early appreciation for life. She viewed her comedy as a form of therapy. Diller studied piano for three years at the Sherwood Music Conservatory. Later, she attended Bluffton College to study literature, history, psychology, and philosophy. In 1939, she married Sherwood Diller, and they eventually had five children.

Diller's fame expanded rapidly through television and film. She made her first national television appearance on the quiz show "You Bet Your Life" in 1958. Later, appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" brought her widespread national prominence. She also worked closely with the famous entertainer Bob Hope. They co-starred in several films, including "Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!" (1966) and "Eight on the Lam" (1967). In 1966, she even traveled to Vietnam with Bob Hope's USO troupe to perform for troops.

Beyond live comedy, Diller was a prolific voice actress. She provided voices for many famous animated projects. These included the Queen in "A Bug's Life" (1998) and Granny Neutron in "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius." She also voiced the Monster's Mate in "Mad Monster Party?" (1967). Her television credits were vast, including guest roles on "The Muppet Show," "The Love Boat," and "CHiPs." She even had a short-lived sitcom on ABC called "The Pruitts of Southampton," for which she received a Golden Globe nomination in 1967.

Phyllis Diller's influence on the entertainment industry remains significant. She was one of the first female comics to achieve massive success in the United States. Famous comedians like Joan Rivers, Roseanne Barr, and Ellen DeGeneres have all credited her as an influence. She also became a notable figure in the cosmetic surgery industry by openly championing plastic surgery. Diller lived a long and active life, continuing to work on various projects well into her later years. She passed away on August 20, 2012, at the age of 95.