TRAILBLAZER

Comedian Phyllis Diller Dies

She was 95.

Legendary comedian Phyllis Diller—a trailblazer for females in the industry—died Monday at age 95. The outspoken comic, known for her brazen style, unmistakable voice, and trademark cackle, launched her career in 1952, becoming a household name thanks to her involvement in Bob Hope’s TV specials in the 1960s. She starred in The Phyllis Diller Show and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show, and was a regular on the variety program Laugh In. In 2005, she had a breakout turn in the documentary The Aristocrats with her blushworthy version of the famous X-rated joke. Diller had recently fallen, TMZ reports, and her health quickly declined after the incident.