Diller, Phyllis (1917–)

views updated

Diller, Phyllis (1917–)

American comedian. Born Phyllis Ada Driver, July 17, 1917, in Lima, Ohio; m. Sherwood Anderson Diller, 1939 (div. 1965); m. Warde Donovan (comic), 1965 (div. 1975).

Nearly 40, with 5 children and an ex-husband called "Fang," became one of the 1st women to attempt stand-up comedy, debuting at the Purple Onion in San Francisco (Mar 1955); appeared regularly on "The Jack Paar Show" and on Bob Hope specials; films include Boy Did I Get a Wrong Number, Did You Hear the One about the Traveling Saleslady?, The Adding Machine, Pink Motel and Wisecracks; appeared as a piano soloist with 100 symphony orchestras in US; retired from nightclubs (2002).

About this article

Diller, Phyllis (1917–)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article