THE comedian Phyllis Diller has passed away at the age of 95.
Known for her cackling laugh (see below), large hair and distinctive costumes, Ms Diller had been 37 when she began her career in comedy.
She had been working in advertising and writing scripts for radio when her then husband suggested she try stand-up comedy. Ms Diller made her debut in the famous Purple Onion club in San Francisco in 1955 and went on to perform at the establishment for 87 consecutive weeks.
In a career which spanned six decades, Ms. Diller was a popular stand-up performer as well as making appearances on TV and some movie work. One feature of her act was to talk about the antics of her fictional husband, who was known as Fang.
She appeared regularly over the years with Bob Hope and joined him in entertaining US troops on a number of occasions.
Ms. Diller retired in 2002 (see below), three years after suffering a heart attack.
Many tributes were paid to the comedian from across the entertainment world.
Her publicist Fred Wostgrook told reporters: “Phyllis was the first lady of stand-up comedy. She paved the way for everybody.”
To view an interview in which Phyllis Diller talks about her distinctive laugh, click here.
To view an excerpt from Phyllis Diller’s final stand-up performance, click here.
View previous In the News items: Tributes are paid to singer songwriter Scott McKenzie, Tragic mother Winnie Johnson passes away, Science fiction writer Harry Harrison passes away, Disability rights pioneer Lord Morris passes away, Darts broadcaster Sid Waddell passes away, Special effects expert Carlo Rambaldi passes away, Astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell passes away, Art critic and writer Robert Hughes passes away, Famous violinist Ruggiero Ricci passes away, Vital equipment is donated in memory of Joby Murphy, Remains of Ned Kelly to be handed over, Irish author Maeve Binchy passes away, TV great Geoffrey Hughes passes away, Antiques expert David Barby passes away, Actress Mary Tamm passes away, First US woman in space passes away, Tributes are paid to actor Simon Ward, Former News at Ten presenter passes away, Bollywood superstar Rejesh Khanna passes away, Country music legend Kitty Wells passes away, Tributes are paid to film producer Richard Zanuck, Former jazz singer Maria Cole passes away, Andy Griffith of Matlock fame passes away, Oscar winning actor Ernest Borgnine passes away, Actor James Grout passes away, Comic genius Eric Sykes passes away, Car designer Sergio Pininfarina passes away, Funeral takes place of the journalist Eugene Moloney, Funeral takes place of former footballer Alan McDonald, Composer and lyricist Richard Adler passes away, Actress Caroline John passes away, Tributes are paid to comic actor Victor Spinetti, Tributes are paid to former director of public prosecutions, Commander of the Canberra during Falklands War passes away, First woman to win Nobel prize in economics passes away, Actress Ann Rutherford passes away, Former Olympic boxing champion Teofilo Stevenson passes away, Electronics pioneer Arthur P. Stern passes away, Tributes are paid to former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch, Tributes are paid to the writer Ray Bradbury, Herb Reed of The Platters passes away, Actor and TV host Richard Dawson passes away, Nobel laureate Sir Andrew Huxley passes away, Elvis Presley crypt to be sold at auction, Famous American pilot Evelyn Johnson passes away, Inventor of TV remote control passes away, Singer Robin Gibb passes away, Fans pay tribute to queen of disco Donna Summer, Sculptor George Wyllie passes away or Tributes are paid to the bass guitarist Donald Duck Dunn
If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.
Our Email Alerts system means that if you register a name with us, we will send you a message if it appears on our website.