All Photos: Alan Mercer
In the three years I have been posting this blog many people have written asking if I was ever going to have Phyllis Diller on here. At the age of 94 Miss Diller simply isn’t available for all requests. Thanks to my friend Jeffrey Dalrymple and Karla Thomas for making the arrangements letting me visit with the legendary comic over the phone. I have taken one photo of Miss Diller seven years ago that she uses as one of her often requested ‘autographed photos.’ I‘ve also had the pleasure of visiting her home and taking these photos. It’s a real honor to have this Comic Legend on the blog! Just in case some of you aren’t aware of her career I have an introduction here.
Phyllis Diller created a stage persona of a wild-haired, eccentrically dressed housewife who makes jokes about a husband named "Fang" while pretending to smoke from a long cigarette holder. Although known for decades for smoking from long cigarette holders in her comedy act, Phyllis is a lifelong nonsmoker, and the cigarette holders were stage props that she had specially constructed. She is an accomplished pianist as well as a painter. Another of Phyllis Diller's signatures is her unusual laugh.
Phyllis first appeared as a stand-up at The Purple Onion on March 7, 1955 and remained there for 87 straight weeks. She appeared on "Del Courtney's Showcase" on KPIX television on November 3, 1956. Phyllis Diller's fame was expanded when she co-starred with Bob Hope in 23 television specials and three films in the 1960‘s. Bob Hope invited Phyllis to perform with him in Vietnam in 1966 with his USO troupe during the height of the Vietnam War.
In 1998, Phyllis Diller provided the vocals for the Queen in Disney/Pixar's animated movie ‘A Bug‘s Life.’ Recently ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’ devoted an entire hour to Phyllis and her career.
The Bob Hope Salon
AM: It’s very exciting to be able to talk with you Miss Diller. Did you enjoy going on the ‘Rosie O’Donnell Show’ recently?
PD: Oh boy! What a thrill! Imagine having a whole hour of prime wonderful time to talk with the people and Rosie. It was a great thrill!
AM: It was great to watch it and see how fabulous you are! Do you miss traveling and doing your show?
PD: Yes, of course I do! I miss the excitement. I miss the show. I love the laughs, but I’m very happy now.
AM: That’s good to hear. I had the pleasure of seeing your show a few times and I can’t tell you how much fun I had! Some of the most joyful hours of my life!
PD: Good, good, that’s the whole idea.
AM: Do you get to paint every day?
PD: I don’t paint everyday because I really don’t have the en-er-gy or I have things to do. I’ve been gone all day to two doctor appointments. When you get to be 94 you spend a lot of time with cute looking doctors.
AM: When you aren’t going to doctors does painting fulfill your creative urges now?
PD: Yes, yes it’s very fulfilling. I just sold a painting that going to be shown in a very commercial spot...where all the action is. It’s going on display at the Kodak Theater.
AM: Congratulations!
PD: A friend is building an expensive candy shop and he commissioned a painting that will be shown there.
AM: So you do accept commissioned work?
PD: Yes I do and I have several but I have these health problems that get in the way. I should be painting but instead I keep going to all these doctors. Then in a couple of weeks I’m doing a guest spot on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful.’
AM: Wow! That’s wonderful!
PD: It sure is!
AM: Do you still play your piano?
PD: No...I had to give something up.
AM: I like the portrait of Bob Hope you have in your home.
PD: I worship the man. I love having his likeness in what I call the ‘Bob Hope Salon.’ The painting gives the room a little class.
AM: Is there going to be a biography made about you?
PD: I don’t know. I’m still living it.
AM: Who do you want to play you in a movie?
PD: Sandra Bullock...she can do anything. She’s a wonderful pianist.
AM: Is there anything you’d like to do that you haven’t done already?
PD: No.
AM: That’s great news!
PD: (Laughing the way only Phyllis Diller can laugh)
AM: Do you realize how much everyone loves and adores you?
PD: Oh Alan, you’re so sweet. Well it makes me feel good.
AM: You really are a legend.
PD: That’s very sweet of you.
AM: One last question...Do you have any words of wisdom that you live by?
PD: Yes, I strive to be truthful and honest. Give...instead of take. Always try to be thinking of what you can give.
AM: All our mutual friends say you are as giving a friend as anyone could ever have.
PD: Well I have a bunch of wonderful friends.
AM: Thank you for your time Miss Diller.
PD: It was a pleasure talking to you Alan. Thank you dear.
Great Love it. TY Alan and Phillis :)
ReplyDeleteOne word, Alan.....GORGEOUS!! OK,you knew that I couldn't really stick to one word. ;P This is another outstanding piece of work! I really enjoyed this. This lady has brought so much joy and laughter to so many people for so many years! I love the photo of The Bob Hope Salon. I had the pleasure of meeting him and speaking to him on the phone a few times. Unfortunately, his hearing was almost gone at the time we spoke on the phone so it was more like I was screaming at him. LOL I love the words of wisdom that Ms. Diller shared in this interview and I agree with her whole-hardheartedly!
ReplyDeleteVERY VERY COOL,great article and some fabulous pics.....I must have her sign one of your photos for me.....Much love and great work as always and at 94 she is still going strong...And for those who don't know,she is also the voice of Peters mom on FAMILY GUY.....Bobby Elkins
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Diller and Alan. Jazzman Amos
ReplyDeleteI met her back in the 70's when she performed at The Circle Star Theater which is gone now in the Bay Area. I n the late 80's I had a Limo business and was Bob Hopes chaufeur for awhile when he came into town for fund raising shows. We would sit in his hotel room and he would talk with me for hours about Lucy, Phylis and so many others. I was saddened when Miss Diller retired, but she di it with grace and class. Miss her, glad you were able to let many see inside her home and her life in your photos!! Randy
ReplyDeleteAlan ,
ReplyDeleteFantastic blog with the amazing Phillis DIller , I have always been a fan of her comedy , what career she has had , she has a wonderful attitude about life and how to share with people and her friends . These photographs are amazing , once again I learned a few things about her that I did not know , and always loved that . It was a wonderful chat you had with her , you could tell she had fun during the phone chat . Great job as always Alan , have a wonderful week . xoxo John B
Thank you for posting this interview. As a brand new stand up comic starting out at age 58, I love that I still have Miss Diller to look up to. One of my favorite shows as a kid was "The Pruits of South Hampton".
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful interview with one of my favorite people. Have loved her since she hit the scene and I'm glad I've been along for the ride, so to speak (the very first comedy LP I ever bought was by Phyllis (her first, "Laughs")).
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear she's doing well, considering the health problems she spoke of & most of all that she seems to have a good number of friends in her life that love and care about her. What a rich life she's had...in every way!
Hello Allen, I don't believe it!Saturday I spent the entire evening on you-tube watching Phyllis! and now I find this remarkable blog of yours! not only is P.D. the funniest person on the planet , but now that she's maturing ( ever so gracefully) She's getting recognized more and more, (rightly so).My birthday is three days before hers July 14th(Bastile day) for that, and the fact , i'm an artist too , has always made her feel like family. After 46 years of delighting in her work, I wrote her a fan letter, and Alan, she sent me a wonderful autographed picture ,one you had snapped! What a thrill!, Mark
ReplyDeletejust wonderful Alan!!! xox
ReplyDeleteAwesome per usual!
ReplyDeleteJust tuned into your Phyllis Diller Piece. WHAT an amazing woman and entertainer. Never knew she painted, but would love her work adorning my wall!!! As always, you get the very best results from your interviews, just wish we could have heard that laugh of hers, it still brings me over the edge. The photos are fantastic and so are you.
ReplyDeleteFrankie Stein
Good Day Sir Alan,
ReplyDeleteAgain, what enjoyment provided here with what you captured interviewing the lovely Phyllis Diller!! Loved Phyllis since I was a child! I remember back in third grade I had an assignment to write someone famous and let them know how they inspired me. The person I chose was PD. I received a lovely autographed pic of her. I know I still have it somewheres! Lol. Again, top drawer job, Alan!
David