Phyllis Diller
Born 1917 · Age 108
American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician and visual artist, known for eccentric stage persona, trademark cackle and for pioneering female stand-up comedy.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Lima, Ohio
Phyllis Ada Driver born to Perry Marcus Driver and Frances Ada (Romshe) in Lima, Ohio; only child.
Attended Sherwood Music Conservatory (began 3-year piano study)
Studied piano for three years at Sherwood Music Conservatory of Columbia College Chicago before deciding against a career in music.
Transferred to Bluffton College
Transferred from Sherwood Music Conservatory to Bluffton College to study literature, history, psychology and philosophy.
Eloped and married Sherwood Anderson Diller
Eloped with Sherwood Diller (brother of a Bluffton classmate) and married in Bluffton, Ohio.
Became homemaker and started family
Left college without finishing; became primarily a homemaker and eventually had six children (one died in infancy).
Husband worked at Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant (WWII)
During World War II Sherwood Diller worked at Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan; family moved for work.
Moved to Alameda, California
Sherwood transferred to Naval Air Station Alameda; family relocated to California where Phyllis later began local media work.
Credit: Inspired by The Magic of Believing
Cited Claude M. Bristol's The Magic of Believing (1948) as a motivational influence that gave her confidence early in her career.
Worked as women's editor and advertising copywriter
Worked as women's editor at a small newspaper and as an advertising copywriter for an Oakland department store (start of media/writing career).
Joined KROW radio and filmed 'Phyllis Dillis' TV segments
Began broadcasting at KROW radio (Oakland). In November 1952 filmed several 15-minute TV episodes titled Phyllis Dillis, the Homely Friendmaker.
Worked at KSFO radio, promotion & marketing
Served as copywriter and later director of promotion and marketing at KSFO in San Francisco and sang on a TV music-review show Pop Club.
First volunteer performance at veterans hospital
After practicing jokes at PTA meetings, called Red Cross and performed at veterans hospital at the Presidio; early live-testing of material.
Purple Onion booking extended to 89 weeks
Initial two-week booking grew into a record 89 consecutive weeks at The Purple Onion, solidifying her nightclub success.
Professional stand-up debut at The Purple Onion
Made professional stand-up debut at the North Beach San Francisco club The Purple Onion — launched comedy career.
First national TV appearance on You Bet Your Life
Appeared as a contestant on Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life — first national exposure on television.
Released debut comedy album 'Wet Toe in a Hot Socket!'
One of multiple comedy albums released starting in 1959; album recorded with The Three Flames at the Bon Soir.
Film debut in Splendor in the Grass
Appeared as Texas Guinan in Elia Kazan's Splendor in the Grass — first film credit (beginning of film career, over 40 film contributions).
Moved to Webster Groves, Missouri (1961–1965)
Lived in the St. Louis suburb while several children stayed with relatives; oldest son Peter attended Washington University.
Began painting (self-taught)
Started painting in acrylics, watercolors and oils; would later display and sell artwork and hold 'art parties.'
Co-starred with Bob Hope in films
Co-starred with Bob Hope in Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966) and later Eight on the Lam (1967) and The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968).
Published first best-seller & book success
Published popular domestic humor books, including Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints (mid-1960s); became a best-selling author.
Starred in TV sitcom 'The Pruitts of Southampton' (aka The Phyllis Diller Show)
Headlined her own half-hour ABC sitcom (1966–1967); marked her role as sitcom lead and raised television profile.
Golden Globe nomination for Actress in a Television Series
Received Golden Globe nomination (1967) for her role in The Pruitts of Southampton.
Began semi-regular run on The Hollywood Squares
Appeared as a semi-regular panelist on The Hollywood Squares starting in 1967 (28 episodes through 1980).
Hosted 'The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show' variety series
Hosted a short-lived variety TV show in 1968 under the title The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show.
Replaced Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway
Took over the title role in Hello, Dolly! on December 26, 1969 for a three-month run as one of the succession of replacements.
Began performing as concert pianist 'Dame Illya Dillya' (1971–1981)
Performed as piano soloist with symphony orchestras across the U.S. (1971–1981), more than 100 orchestras, combining music and humor.
Underwent first cosmetic surgery procedures (began series)
Publicly acknowledged beginning a series of cosmetic procedures at age 55; later said she had about 15 procedures total.
Divorced second husband Warde (Ward) Donovan
Finalized divorce from Warde Donovan in 1975 (they had married Oct 7, 1965 and separated/reconciled during that period).
Awarded star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Television)
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to television.
Published 'The Joys of Aging & How to Avoid Them'
Published a humor book on aging (1981), continuing her career as a best-selling author of domestic humor books.
Women's International Center Living Legacy Award
Received the Women's International Center Living Legacy Award recognizing her contributions and legacy.
American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement
Honored with the American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of a long career in comedy.
20/20 segment on her plastic surgeries
ABC's 20/20 ran a segment (Feb 12, 1993) discussing Diller's numerous cosmetic surgeries and public stance on plastic surgery.
Death of longtime partner Robert P. Hastings
Her partner Robert P. Hastings (relationship begun c.1985) died on May 23, 1996; she later called him the love of her life.
Voice role as The Queen in A Bug's Life
Provided the voice of the Queen in Pixar's A Bug's Life (1998), part of ongoing voice acting career.
Heart stopped; fitted with pacemaker and temporary paralysis
Suffered cardiac arrest during a hospital stay in 1999; received a pacemaker, had a bad drug reaction causing paralysis, recovered via physical therapy.
Released album 'Live From San Francisco' (recorded 2000)
Released a live comedy album recorded in 2000, demonstrating continued media presence into her 80s.
Retired from stand-up comedy; final performance at Suncoast, Las Vegas
Cited advanced age and lack of energy; performed final stand-up show at the Suncoast in Las Vegas and formally retired from stand-up.
Held first 'art party' and sold artwork & stage clothes
At age 86 she began staging art parties selling paintings, stage clothes and costume jewelry; embraced art sales as part of estate.
Donated gag file and costumes to Smithsonian
Opened doors to National Museum of American History, offering iconic costumes and her gag file (48-drawer steel cabinet with ~50,000 jokes).
Documentary 'Goodnight, We Love You' released
Gregg Barson's documentary about her life and final performance was released, chronicling her career and legacy.
Featured in documentary 'The Aristocrats'
Appeared in The Aristocrats (2005), performing a risqué version of the vaudeville routine; included among contemporary comics.
Published autobiography 'Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse'
Autobiography co-written with Richard Buskin published documenting her life, career and personal struggles.
Appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Performed stand-up on The Tonight Show (Jan 24, 2007) and chatted with Jay Leno; Leno stated she occasionally contributed jokes to him.
Fractured her back; canceled Tonight Show 90th birthday plans
Suffered a fractured back and had to cancel a planned Tonight Show appearance intended to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Received Scripps Howard MVP Award
Received Scripps Howard MVP Award in recognition of her contributions (listed among later honors).
Smithsonian displays gag file and iconic objects
Albert H. Small Documents Gallery displayed Diller's gag file and iconic costume pieces and props as part of her legacy.
Recorded 'Smile' with Pink Martini for 'Get Happy' album
Recorded a version of Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile' with Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini for the album Get Happy (January 2012).
Accepted Lifetime Achievement award from Lima, Ohio
Conducted final interview accepting Lifetime Achievement award from her hometown of Lima as part of a comedians panel.
Died of heart failure in Brentwood, Los Angeles
Died at home in Brentwood, Los Angeles on August 20, 2012 at age 95; cremated and ashes scattered at sea.
Key Achievement Ages
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