Phyllis Diller

American comedienne Phyllis Diller, born Phyllis Ada Driver on June 17, 1917, in the United States, became one of the first female comics to achieve nationwide fame. Her stage persona was eccentric, marked by wild hair, exaggerated clothes, and a distinctive cackling laugh that she used to great effect. She built her act around jokes about her husband and family, spinning household life into sharp, self-deprecating humor. Diller was hardly anyone's idea of a conventional beauty, and she turned those perceived odd looks into comedic gold.

She also became an early and prominent advocate for plastic surgery, undergoing extensive procedures herself and championing the treatments publicly. The industry recognized her for this service, making her a notable figure in the conversation about cosmetic enhancement. Diller paved the way for many female comics who followed, including Joan Rivers, Roseanne Barr, and Ellen DeGeneres, all of whom cite her influence. She also developed a large gay following and is considered a gay icon, among the first of her kind.

Diller stood 5'1" tall, had light blonde hair and green eyes, and died on August 20, 2012, at the age of 95. Her legacy as a trailblazing comic remains influential, and her fearless humor continues to be celebrated.