Phyllis Dillers Son Perry Talks about His Late Mothers Life and Career

Publish date: 2024-05-19

Life and times of late comedy queen, Phyllis Diller, who opened the world of comedy to women.

Most of what made up her persona as a stand-up comedian, including her cigarette smoker was fake as she never smoked, but her famous cackle was as real as it could be.

Comedienne and actress Phyllis Diller performs on the Colgate Comedy Hour on May 11, 1967 | Photo: Getty Images

"She was a little buzz saw."

Comedienne Phyllis Diller poses for a portrait session in 1991 | Photo: Getty Images

Phyllis started her career in comedy in 1955 at the Purple Onion nightclub, which was located in San Francisco. Before this, she used to work at a radio station and a department store but decided to go into stand-up full time when she noticed people's reactions to her humor.

Her debut came at a time when comedy was seen as a man's job. The women who dared to venture into it were usually shunned.

American actress and comedienne Phyllis Diller | Photo: Getty Images

This did not deter the comedian who continued to present her funny acts, which were based on self-deprecating jokes and digs at her layabout husband, Fang.

She shared a lot about herself, which allowed her to connect to other women. Diller paved the way for women who got into comedy after her.

Comedienne Phyllis Diller poses for a portrait session in 1991 | Photo: Getty Images

"She talked about her life, and she connected with a lot of women, She was the woman next door."

American actress and comedienne Phyllis Diller | Photo: Getty Images

Born Phyllis Ada Driver on the July 17, 1917 in Ohio, the comedian schooled at Lima's Central high school. She went in to further her studies at a music conservatory where she remained for three years before transferring to a college in Ohio.

The comedian dropped out of college at the age of 22 to marry her first husband, Sherwood Anderson Diller. She had five kids with him before they got a divorce in 1965.

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