Phyllis diller biography

(1917-2012)

Who Was Phyllis Diller?

Actress and comedian Phyllis Diller was first noticed as a contestant on Groucho Marx's game show, and went on to become a successful comedian, actress and author, recognizable by her eccentric costumes, overdone makeup and trademark laugh.

In 1992, she received the American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Diller was also an accomplished pianist and author.

Phyllis diller biography

Early Life

Diller was born as Phyllis Ada Driver on July 17, 1917, in Lima, Ohio. Diller was the only child of Frances and Perry Driver. After graduating high school, she continued her studies at Chicago's Sherwood Music Conservatory for three years, before eloping with Sherwood Diller in 1939.

The couple soon moved to California, where they had six children (one of their children died in infancy).

Breakthrough Role

In the mid-1950s, while working as a journalist for the San Leandro News-Observer, Diller appeared as a contestant on Groucho Marx's game show,