Comedian Phyllis Diller, known for her trademark cackle and bizzare looks, dies at 95 in Los Angeles.
Phyllis Diller known for her self-deprecating humor, unkempt wig, wrist-length gloves, cloth-covered ankle boots, a bejeweled cigarette holder, terrible cooking, a laugh like a Hyena, and a fictional husband named Fang.
Phyllis Diller began her career working at KROW radio in Oakland, California, in 1952. In November of that year, she began filming a television show titled Phyllis Dillis, the Homely Friendmaker. The 15-minute series was a BART (Bay Area Radio-Television) production, directed for television by ABC’s Jim Baker. In the mid 1950s, while residing in the East Bay city of Alameda, California, Diller was employed at KSFO radio in San Francisco.
Diller’s fame grew when she co-starred with Bob Hope in 23 television specials and three films in the 1960s: Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!, Eight on the Lam, and The Private Navy of Sgt. O’Farrell.
Also, Diller made regular cameo appearances with her trademark wisecracks on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.
Performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on October 5, 1969. Available on “The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show Volume 2” DVD at EdSullivan.com.
Veteran comedian Phyllis Diller has died at the age of 95. Bill Whitaker looks back at her life and sarcastic, self-deprecating humor.