Today marks the passing of yet another Hollywood legend - a fabulous comedienne with "that crazy laugh" - Phyllis Diller, who died today at the age of 95. Born in Lima, Ohio, on July 17, 1917, as Phyllis Ada Driver, this eccentric and contagiously happy entertainer began her career in radio at KROW radio in Oakland, California, in 1952. The public took notice when she teamed with Bob Hope on television and on screen, and later when the pair toured with the USO during the Vietnam War. Her credits are extensive and noteworthy, and we won't pretend to do them justice here. Suffice it to say, her stand-up comedy routines and countless television and movie appearances have kept people laughing for decades.
Bob Crane interviewed thousands of celebrities at KNX-CBS Radio from 1956 to 1965, and Phyllis Diller was no exception. Between his wild on-air radio antics and her wild and crazy personality, this interview must have been off the charts! We present a portion of it here as a tribute to Ms. Diller, and it's certainly no surprise that she and Bob laugh their way through this clip from beginning to end.
Bob Crane interviews Phyllis Diller (circa 1960)
The Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio