Friday, October 12, 2012

Active Until the End

For some reason I have Phyllis Diller (real last name Driver) on my mind today and was pretty sure she must have died by now. I checked her out and she had died August 20,2012 at age 95 (disproving the longevity of fall babies theory!). She was still working in 2012,she had quite a long career as she started her comedy act in 1952. Her first job was on the radio in Oakland,CA. I hadn't realized how extensive her acting career was,she was in over 40 movies and features and voiced several animated characters. She accompanied Bob Hope to Vietnam in 1966 with his USO troupe. Phyllis had numerous TV credits and also had a 3 month run on Broadway in Hello Dolly!. She studied music and between 1971-1981 appeared as a piano soloist in 100 orchestras across the country. Known for smoking from  long cigarette holders in her act,Diller was a lifelong nonsmoker. Her son found her in her Brentwood,CA home on August 20th in bed with a smile on her face.

No comments:

Post a Comment