PHYLLIS DILLER - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 277093

PHYLLIS DILLER
A signed black and white publicity photograph of the comedian shown on stage smoking a cigarette
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To/ Zippy/ Love/ Phyllis Diller". B/w, 8x10. Phyllis Diller (1917-2012) was one of the greatest female comedians of the 20th Century. She's known for her zany outfits, distinctive laugh, a stand-up act that featured frequent references to fictional husband "Fang", and zingers about her sex appeal and numerous plastic surgeries. Her big break came in March 1955 when she debuted at San Francisco's Purple Onion club. A subsequent appearance on The Tonight Show hosted by Jack Paar launched her national career, which got a big boost after Bob Hope saw Diller perform in Washington, D.C. A favorite of the comedian, Diller would appear in 3 of Hope's films and 23 of his television specials. Diller, who recorded her first comedy record album in 1959, took her groundbreaking "funny hausfrau" act to nightclubs and television variety shows. Her hundreds of screen credits include appearances on television series, game shows, late night talk shows, and films. She made her feature film debut in the Oscar-winner Splendor in the Grass. Other film credits include The Fat Spy (1966), The Sunshine Boys (1975), The Silence of the Hams (1994), and A Bug's Life (1998). From 1966 to 1967, she starred in The Phyllis Diller Show. While Diller is best known as a comedian, she was also a talented musician, author, and artist. From 1971 to 1981, she toured with symphony orchestras across the country as a featured pianist. Partially due to her flamboyant costumes and stand-up routine, Diller was embraced as a gay icon. She continued to make appearances on various productions until her death, with her final screen credits coming in a recurring role on the daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (from 1997-2012). In 1975, she was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Phyllis Diller was the first female comedian to become a household name, inspiring female comedians like Joan Rivers and Margaret Cho. Ink note (unknown hand) on verso (no show through). Fine condition.