Hollywood Reacts To Comedian Phyllis Diller's Death
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Hollywood stars are reacting Monday to the death of actress and comedian Phyllis Diller, who passed away at her Brentwood home at the age of 95.
Known for her self-deprecating humor, and unmistakable laugh, Diller built a singular career that spanned more than 50 years and inspired generations of funny ladies after her.
Fellow comic Don Rickles said:
"Phyllis Diller was not only a great comedienne, but her memorable teaming with Bob Hope brought female comics to the forefront. Her life was filled with goodness and she deserved the respect she received. She will be missed."
"I adored her. She was a wondrous spirit who was great to me," said Barbra Streisand.
Joan Rivers, a comic icon in her own right, said:
"I'm beyond saddened by the death of Phyllis Diller. We were friends…Melissa and I had a wonderful time with her at lunch just a month ago. The only tragedy is that she was the last from an era that insisted a woman had to look funny in order to be funny. If she had started today, Phyllis could have stood there in Dior and Harry Winston and become the major star that she was. I adored her."
Dom Irrera hosted Diller's last television appearance on "The Supreme Court of Comedy."
"She was hilarious. I couldn't believe she was in her 90's. What an incredible woman. She was a part of a boy's club that was very exclusive," he said.
Diller's longtime manager, Milt Suchin, said Diller was a "true trailblazer" and was "very supportive of young comics."
