Phyllis Diller

A stand-up comic is judged by every line. Singers get applause at the end of their song no matter how bad they are.

~ Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller posed for Playboy magazine in her youth, although the photos were never published by the magazine.

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Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Ada Driver

July 17, 1917

Lima, Ohio

I grew up loving Phyllis Diller. I watched all of her movies and her TV show. But beyond the jokes, the clothes and the wild hair she was and always will be a beautiful woman a talented actress and a talented musician. I was thrilled the first time I heard her play the piano. Of her movies, my favorites were the ones she did with Bob Hope. They made a perfect team.

Trivia

Received her first national exposure as a contestant on the Groucho Marx show "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's show. Later got major boost from Bob Hope, 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 participant in many of Dean Martin's "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)

Has a large collection of Waterford Crystal which she has collected over the past 50 years.

Among her five children with Sherwood Anderson Diller were sons Peter Diller (now deceased), Perry Diller and daughters Stephanie Diller (also deceased) and Sue Diller.

In the mid-1960s, the trademark quirky dresses that she wore during performances were designed by Gloria Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska. Phyllis jokingly referred to Johnson as 'Omar of Omaha,' as tent dresses were in vogue at the time.