Comedienne, Actress. She created a stage persona of a wild-haired, eccentrically dressed housewife who makes self-deprecating jokes about her age and appearance, her terrible cooking, and a husband named "Fang". She began her career at a radio station in Oakland, California, in 1952. In November of that year, she began filming a television show titled 'Phyllis Dillis, the Homely Friendmaker'. In March of 1955, she made her first appearance as a stand-up at The Purple Onion Comedy Club and remained there for 87 straight weeks. Her fame expanded 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'. Among other films she appeared in were 'Splendor in the Grass' (1961), 'The Fat Spy' (1963), 'Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady?' (1968), 'The Sunshine Boys' (1975), 'A Pleasure Doing Business' (1979), 'Doctor Hackenstein' (1988), 'The Boneyard' (1991) and 'Everything's Jake' (2000). She also lent her distinctive voice to numerous films including 1967s 'Mad Monster Party'. She also starred in her own television variety specials such as 'The Phyllis Diller Special', 'An Evening with Phyllis Diller' and 'The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show' as well as countless appearances as herself on many other television shows. Diller, who was also an accomplished pianist and painter, died at her home after a prolonged illness.
Comedienne, Actress. She created a stage persona of a wild-haired, eccentrically dressed housewife who makes self-deprecating jokes about her age and appearance, her terrible cooking, and a husband named "Fang". She began her career at a radio station in Oakland, California, in 1952. In November of that year, she began filming a television show titled 'Phyllis Dillis, the Homely Friendmaker'. In March of 1955, she made her first appearance as a stand-up at The Purple Onion Comedy Club and remained there for 87 straight weeks. Her fame expanded 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'. Among other films she appeared in were 'Splendor in the Grass' (1961), 'The Fat Spy' (1963), 'Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady?' (1968), 'The Sunshine Boys' (1975), 'A Pleasure Doing Business' (1979), 'Doctor Hackenstein' (1988), 'The Boneyard' (1991) and 'Everything's Jake' (2000). She also lent her distinctive voice to numerous films including 1967s 'Mad Monster Party'. She also starred in her own television variety specials such as 'The Phyllis Diller Special', 'An Evening with Phyllis Diller' and 'The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show' as well as countless appearances as herself on many other television shows. Diller, who was also an accomplished pianist and painter, died at her home after a prolonged illness.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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