Phyllis Diller (born July 17, 1917) is a Golden Globe-nominated American comedienne considered to be one of the pioneers of female stand-up comedy. She created a stage character persona that was a wild-haired, eccentrically dressed housewife who made jokes about a fictional husband named "Fang" while smoking from a long cigarette holder. Another distinct characteristic is her cackling laugh, one of the best-recognized in comedy. Diller is given credit for opening the locked doors for the stand-up comedy field to women such as Rita Rudner, Totie Fields, Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell and Roseanne Barr.
Received her first national exposure as a contestant on Groucho Marx's '"You Bet Your Life" (1950)'.
In 1999 she suffered serious heart attack, although not expected to live, Diller recovered well enough to return to the stage for a couple of years.
Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1990.
She had a total of six children, though only three are still living as at July 2006, including youngest son Perry Diller who has appeared in at least two TV documentaries on his mother.
Has had numerous face lifts, a popular topic in her comedy routines.
Briefly served as honorary mayor in the affluent town of Brentwood, California.
Studied at Chicago's Sherwood Music Conservatory for three years before eloping with Sherwood Anderson Diller in 1939.
As of 2000, had appeared as a piano soloist with 100 symphony orchestras across the United States, including performances in Dallas, Denver, Annapolis, Houston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Cincinnati.
Nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame for her recorded version of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction."
Earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993.
She describes her comedy as "tragedy revisited."
Was a housewife in San Francisco suburb with five children and an under-employed husband who eventually convinced her to make money with the talent she regularly displayed in PTA skits.
Had 10-year affair with "the love of my life", lawyer Robert Hastings before his death on May 23, 1996.
Breakthrough came in March, 1955, age 37, with debut at San Francisco's Purple Onion club, and career was launched with subsequent appearance on Jack Paar (I)'s show. Later got major boost from Bob Hope (I), who saw Diller in a Washington, D.C. club. She went on to appear in 3 of Hope's movies and 23 of his TV specials.
Her second marriage, to actor Warde Donovan, actually lasted only nine weeks.
Announced her retirement from nightclub/stage tours at age 84 in May, 2002. Had pacemaker implanted at age 81. Lives in Brentwood section of Los Angeles, California.
Was a regular on the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts."
Attended a July 2003 Las Vegas function on invitation of Wayne Newton, to help celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Stardust Hotel and Casino.
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 137-139. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
Worked as a copywriter before becoming a comedian.
Retired from stand-up routine in 2002, due to ill health: She was 84 at the time! Continued to lend her voice to animated characters in movies.
Undergoing diagnostic tests in hospital after injuring her head and neck in a fall at her Brentwood mansion, including tests on her pacemaker. (April 2005)
Posed for Playboy magazine in her youth, although the photos were never published by the magazine.
Has a large collection of Waterford Crystal which she has collected over the past 50 years.
