Phyllis Diller
Biography
Phyllis Diller was an American stand-up comedian, actress, and author known for an eccentric stage persona, self-deprecating humor, wild hair and clothing, and a cackling laugh. Born in Lima, Ohio, in 1917, she worked in Oakland radio before her professional stand-up debut at The Purple Onion in San Francisco in 1955. She released comedy albums, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show, and starred in the sitcom The Pruitts of Southampton, which earned her a 1967 Golden Globe nomination. Her films included Splendor in the Grass (1961), Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966), and The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968), while her voice work included Mad Monster Party? (1967) and A Bug's Life (1998). In 1969 she took over the title role in Hello, Dolly!, later performed as a piano soloist with symphony orchestras, and retired from stand-up in 2002. She died in 2012.
95years old at death
- Born Lima
- Died Brentwood
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Phyllis Ada Driver (birth name)Also credited as Phyllis Driver and Phyllis Ada Diller
Movie Career
- Films
- 16
- Career span
- 51 years1961 to 2012
Genres
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First role
Phyllis Diller made her professional stand-up debut at age 37 at The Purple Onion in San Francisco, and her two-week booking stretched to a record 89 consecutive weeks.
Beyond film
Under the stage name Dame Illya Dillya, Diller played piano as a soloist with symphony orchestras nationwide from 1971 to 1981.
Early training
Diller spent three years studying piano at the Sherwood Music Conservatory of Columbia College Chicago. After hearing her teachers and mentors play, she chose not to pursue music, feeling their skill exceeded what she could reach.
First role
In 1958, Phyllis Diller made her first appearance on national television. She did so as a contestant on You Bet Your Life, the quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx.
Phyllis Diller movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Mad Monster Party?1967 Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musicas The Monster's Matevoice
IMDb rating 6.64.0K votes
Most often with
Three actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bob Hope's page
Carol Channing's page
Jonathan Harris's page
Box office
What Phyllis Diller's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$368 million
5 of the 16 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 16 films: 5 worldwide figure; 2 us gross only; 1 never in cinemas; 8 figure not found.
- 5Worldwide figure
- 2US gross only
- 1Never in cinemas
- 8Figure not found
Top grosser
Highest grossing
The five biggest films earned 100% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$363M98.6% of the total
- 2$3.3M0.9% of the total
- 3$1.7M0.5% of the total
- 4$41K0.0% of the total
- 5$20K0.0% of the total
Awards
Seven awards and honors from 1981 to 2000.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 2000 | Lucy Award | Won | |
| 1981 | Ohio Women's Hall of Fame | Won | |
| American Comedy Awards | Won | ||
| Golden Apple Award | Won | ||
| Laurel Awards | Won | ||
| San Diego International Film Festival | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.