Born on July 17, 1917... Phyllis Driver was the only child of Frances and Perry Driver. Phyllis says she enjoyed Lima and all that it offered Growing up downtown Lima in the electron building on market street.. Phyllis also saw the birth of the Kewpee and its famous hamburgers
Her childhood was filled with music...Phyllis was an accomplished pianist. She attended Bluffton College where her comic talent shined as a writer of the student newspaper in her column around the horn with
Phyllis made her professional debut at the purple onion in 1955.. But it wasn't a smooth road ahead.. A mother of 5 her comedy came from what was happening at home in her own life. Juggling the children and working.. Phyllis became a role model as the first working mom.
In the mid 60's... Fellow Ohioan Bob Hope took note of Phyllis's act and the two became fast friends.
Phyllis Diller retired from standup comedy at the age of 85. But retirement did not mean she slowed down. Young and old know her through the world of voice over... And she made special appearances on film and TV right until the very end.
In her retirement Phyllis loved to spend time in her art studio..Being creative on canvas.Phyllis Diller's many talents will be missed..... Including that electrifying laugh....
(Editor's Note)
Your News Now will air an encore presentation of Homegrown Comedy, an Intimate Conversation with Phyllis Diller. Holly Geaman visited with the Lima native in 2008 and produced an hour long Perspective. It will air on Sunday August 26th from... 1 to 2pm on NBC Lima.
