From Phyllis Diller’s larger-than-life personality to her long-lasting influence on the comedy community, the trailblazing entertainer gave us many reasons to remember her. Her life story is one of laughter, perseverance, and success, as evidenced by the fact that Joan Rivers had an estimated net worth of $15-18 million dollars at the time of her death in 2012.
| Category | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated net worth at the time of her death | $15–18 million | |
| Value of her mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles | Sold for $9.35 million in December 2012 | |
| Comedy albums, books, live performances, and TV appearances | Contributed to her overall net worth |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Childhood and Early Years
Phyllis Ada Driver was born on July 17, 1917, in Lima, Ohio, and grew up in a household where creativity and talent mattered. Her father, a musician, and her mother, a homemaker, nurtured her early interest in the arts. As a child, she exhibited extraordinary talent in music and attended the renowned Sherwood Music Conservatory in Chicago.
But life had other ideas for her. Phyllis, though trained in classical piano, never entered the field of music. Instead, she kindled her ability to make people laugh, and to tell a good story — a choice that would alter not just her life, but the life of comedy, forever.
Transition to Comedy
Phyllis’s entrance into comedy was as unorthodox as her sense of humor. Having supported her family through a series of jobs, she gave stand-up a try. In 1955, she made her first appearance at The Purple Onion, a nightclub in San Francisco. In her late 30s when she was cast on a sitcom — a late start in the industry — Phyllis charmed audiences with her wry observations, self-deprecating humor and charisma.
It was not an easy start to her career. It was the 1950s, when comedy was still a boys’ club and women were on the sidelines. But Phyllis’s distinctiveness and irreverent attitude helped set her apart. She was unafraid to poke fun at herself, her imaginary husband “Fang,” or mainstream society, so she was relatable to audiences everywhere.
Rise to Fame as a Comedian
Developing Her Iconic Persona
Phyllis Diller climbed to fame by building a stage persona that was, distinctly, her own. With her trademark matted hair, flamboyant clothes and loud, raucous laugh, she became a quick face. She employed self-deprecating humor, frequently poking fun at her cooking, looks and relationships, and that resonated with audiences.
Her quips, like “I am going to say a couple words about my husband: cheap and lazy,’’ showed her snappy sense of humor and ability to relate to everyday woes. Mocking herself, she shattered barriers and let it be O.K. for women to do so.
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Collaborations and Television Appearances
Phyllis’s big break came when she collaborated with legendary comedian Bob Hope, co-starring with him on numerous USO tours and movies. Their chemistry between them crackled, and their collaborations brought her to a world audience. She was a television mainstay, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and her own sitcom, The Pruitts of Southampton.
Her film career grew, with her appearing in movies like Splendor in the Grass and doing voice work in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. This comedic acumen not only solidified her reputation, but also contributed greatly to her wealth.
The ground breaking the by women in comedy
Phyllis Diller’s rise in the 1950s and 60s was unprecedented. She was one of the first female comedians to break into the mainstream, opening doors for other women in comedy including Joan Rivers, Carol Burnett and Ellen DeGeneres. She showed that comedy was not just a male game — it was a universal language.
Phyllis Diller Net Worth and Property
How She Built Her Wealth
At the time of her death in 2012, Phyllis Diller had an estimated net worth of between $15-18 million. This astounding fortune was built over decades of hard work in the entertainment industry. Her earnings came from:
- Stand-Up Comedy: Her live shows were one of her biggest earners, usually selling out all over the country.
- Television and Film: Between TV appearances and movie roles, she made major bucks acting.
- Books and Albums Phyllis wrote a number of books and recorded comedy albums that contributed to her income.
- Her ability as an entertainer meant that she had always cracked her heaps of revenue.
Real Estate and Other Assets
Among Phyllis’s most valuable holdings was her mansion in Brentwood, the sprawling estate in Los Angeles. The property, which she called “Phyllis’s Palace,” was a testament to her whimsical decor and spirited personality. After she died, the mansion sold for $9.35 million, boosting the value of her estate.
Phyllis also was a serious art collector, leaving behind a trove of paintings, sculptures and memorabilia. Her collection was an extension of her eclectic tastes and love of creativity.
Asset Estimated Value Brentwood Mansion$9.35 million Comedy Tours and Shows Millions in earnings Books and Comedy Albums Significant royalties Art Collection Undisclosed value
Personal Life and Enduring Legacy
Family and Relationships
The number of her children and marriages Phyllis Diller was married twice and had six children. Heartbreak was the subject of many of her jokes — that was the case in her first marriage to Sherwood Anderson Diller, which lasted 26 years and end in divorce but provided the material for many of her jokes. She subsequently wed Warde Donovan, but the marriage was brief.
In her success, Phyllis was candid about the struggles of being a wife and mother. She liked to joke about her domestic skills — or lack thereof — but underneath the humor was a woman who adored her family.
Embracing Her Uniqueness
Phyllis was also known for her frankness about plastic surgery, which was taboo at the time. She had multiple procedures performed and was very candid about them, regularly making them the punchline of her jokes. Her frankness endeared her to fans and made her a trailblazer in normalizing conversations around beauty and aging.
Awards and Recognition
There was no overlooking Phyllis’s contributions to comedy. In 1992, the American Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement cemented her place in entertainment history. Her legacy will endure in the many comedians that she inspired and the ceilings that she shattered.
Conclusion
Phyllis Diller’s life was a testament to the strength of perseverance, humor and authenticity. Her story — from life in Ohio to a comedy legacy worth $15-18 million — still inspires. She shattered barriers, made us laugh, and left an indelible mark on entertainment.
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