In memoriam: Phyllis Diller, actress, humorist, atheist

[Rob H.]

Excerpt:

Groundbreaking female comic Phyllis Diller is dead. With wild hair and a wild laugh to match, Diller was known for an eccentric and sometimes cynical stage persona. In her private life, Diller was an atheist who wanted to be remembered as having made kindness her religion.

...

Interviewed for a 2011 profile in Out magazine, Diller was asked how she'd want to be remembered. She replied:

"For being funny. Well, I should say being kind. I am a kind person. I'm kind to everybody. I treat everybody the same, and I'm proud of that. In fact, that's my religion."

Phyllis Diller died in her sleep at her L.A. home, surrounded by family. She was 95.

Full article here; do yourself a favor and skip the comments, though. There's already someone saying they're sad that she died, but she woke up in hell because she was an atheist. Yes, really.

[trotsky]

1. I did not know that.

Funny, funny person.

[Warpy]

2. Gee, I didn't know she was one of us

but that explains the virtual rubber chicken she always carried with her through life.

I remember loving her when I was a kid and she first started to appear here and there talking about Fang and laughing OUT LOUD instead of tee heeing behind her open hand like a lady.

She made a hell of a mark, opening up comedy to women instead of keeping us in that dour, ladylike prison of propriety.

Her obituary said she went in her sleep with a smile on her face. I hope that's true, that the smile reflected one last laugh that life gave her.

[progressoid]

4. Maybe she started the rubber chicken tradition!

[dimbear]

3. Phyllis is on "Fresh Air" today.

No question she was a groundbreaker.