Phyllis Diller Dead at 95
By: NBC News
Updated: August 20, 2012
Actress/comedian Phyllis Diller has died at the age of 95, her agent confirmed to NBC News on Monday.
"She was a true pioneer," Fred Wostbrock said. "The first female stand-up comedian. She paved the way for everybody. She paved the way for Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Chelsea Handler. Phyllis was the first of the first. The first female to play Vegas ... she was on Broadway, she made movies. She did it all."
In addition to her comedy act, Diller found fame appearing alongside Bob Hope on television and in films in the 1960s. She went on to do numerous guest appearances on TV shows, including "Rowan and Martin's Laugh In." Her eccentric clothes and memorable laugh were her signature for years.
In 1992 she received the American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Diller was born in Lima, Ohio, on July 17, 1917.
"She was a true pioneer," Fred Wostbrock said. "The first female stand-up comedian. She paved the way for everybody. She paved the way for Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Chelsea Handler. Phyllis was the first of the first. The first female to play Vegas ... she was on Broadway, she made movies. She did it all."
In addition to her comedy act, Diller found fame appearing alongside Bob Hope on television and in films in the 1960s. She went on to do numerous guest appearances on TV shows, including "Rowan and Martin's Laugh In." Her eccentric clothes and memorable laugh were her signature for years.
In 1992 she received the American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Diller was born in Lima, Ohio, on July 17, 1917.
