Phyllis Diller
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1917-07-17
    • Born Place: Lima, Ohio, USA
  • Deathday:

    2012-08-20

  • Also Known As:

    Phyllis Driver

Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller (born Phyllis Ada Driver; July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012) was a groundbreaking American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist, widely recognized for her eccentric stage persona, wild hair and clothes, self-deprecating humor, and distinctive cackling laugh. Born in Lima, Ohio, Diller initially pursued studies in piano at the Sherwood Music Conservatory and later attended Bluffton College before becoming a housewife and mother of five. At the urging of her first husband, she began her stand-up comedy career relatively late in life, making her debut at San Francisco's Purple Onion nightclub in 1955 at the age of 37.Diller quickly gained national attention for her unique style, which involved rapid-fire one-liners, often poking fun at her fictitious husband "Fang," her perceived lack of domestic skills, and her own appearance. She was one of the first female comedians to break into the male-dominated stand-up scene, paving the way for future generations of women in comedy. Her signature look, featuring outrageous wigs and gaudy costumes, became as iconic as her humor.Her success in stand-up led to numerous television and film appearances. She became a frequent guest on variety shows and talk shows, notably "The Jack Paar Show," which significantly boosted her stardom. She co-starred with Bob Hope in several films, including "Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!" (1966), and had her own sitcom, "The Pruitts of Southampton." In her later career, Diller became a prolific voice actress, lending her talents to animated characters like the Queen in Pixar's "A Bug's Life" (1998), Granny Neutron in "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," and Thelma Griffin in "Family Guy." Beyond comedy, Diller was an accomplished classical pianist, performing with symphony orchestras under the pseudonym Dame Illya Dillya, and was also a talented painter. Phyllis Diller passed away in 2012 at the age of 95, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a pioneer and icon in American comedy.

Person History