Phyllis Diller
Phyllis Diller was born on July 17th, 1917. Phyllis passed away August 20th, 2012 at 95 years old. Phyllis Diller was born in Lima, OH, United.
Phyllis Diller is a musician, stand-up comedian, actress, author, and visual artist best known for her eccentric stage persona, self-deprecating humor, wild clothes, hair, and exaggerated and cackling laugh.
Phyllis was one of the first female comics to become a household name in the US, credited as an influence by Ellen DeGeneres, Joan Rivers, and Rosanne Barr, among others. She had a massive gay following. Phyllis was also one of the first celebrities to openly champion plastic surgery, for which the cosmetic surgery industry recognized her.
Having been exposed to death at such an early age led her to have an early appreciation for life, and she later realized that her comedy was actually a form of therapy.
While attending Lima Central High School, she discovered her comic gifts. She was always a pro, even when she was just a little tiny kid. She was perfect, dedicated, and quiet in class, but outside of class, she’d get her laughs.
She studied piano for 3 years at the Sherwood Music Conservatory of Columbia College Chicago. However, she decided against pursuing a music career after hearing mentors and teachers play with more skill than she believed she’d be able to achieve. She went to Bluffton College instead, studying history, literature, psychology, and philosophy.
Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse: My Life in Comedy comes more than 50 years after Phyllis’ debut as a standup comedian, and describes her separate careers as an artist and piano soloist with symphony orchestras; her outspoken attitude toward her extensive plastic surgery; her failed efforts to become a
Playboy centerfold.
From humorist to housewife, Phyllis made millions laugh for more than 5 decades with her groundbreaking comedy. Boasting a raucous laugh, unique material, wild hair, garish clothes, and the trademark cigarette holder, she’s a pioneer who blazed a trail for comediennes during the 50s and 60s, leading them out of small dives into the sorts of top venues which had previously hosted only their male counterparts. As her routine broke new ground and opened up doors to subsequent generations of female standups, it also served as a form of self-therapy amid her life steeped in turmoil and tragedy.
Phyllis’s own story about the pain and struggle behind the comedy and success. Her Depression-era adolescence, her marriage to a chronically unemployed husband that inspired Fang, her most famous character, and her desperate efforts to stave off poverty as a pro comic as she raised five kids.
Related Authors
Fans of Phyllis Diller also enjoy these authors:
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
- Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
- Linwood Barclay, author of the Promise Falls Series.
- Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
Phyllis Diller: F.A.Q
When was Phyllis Diller Born?
Phyllis Diller was born on July 17th, 1917.
When did Phyllis Diller die?
Phyllis Diller died on August 20th, 2012 at 95 years old.
Where was Phyllis Diller Born?
Phyllis Diller was born in Lima, OH, United.
What was the first book Phyllis Diller wrote?
The first book written by Phyllis Diller was Phyllis Diller Tells All About Fang: A Collector's Book for Modern Sports, published in 1963.
What was the most recent book Phyllis Diller wrote?
Their most recently released work was Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse on February 16th, 2006.
What is the most popular book by Phyllis Diller?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Phyllis Diller book is
Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse. Here are their most popular books:
- Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse (8)
How many books has Phyllis Diller written?
Phyllis Diller has written 6 books. All of their books are Non-Fiction Books.