Phyllis Diller

A groundbreaking pioneer in American comedy, comedienne Phyllis Diller represented the face of the female stand-up comic for a generation of baby boomers. She predated Roseanne Barr's "Domestic Goddess" stand-up routines by more than two decades, shooting to stardom in the 1950s with her eccentric, strangely attired housewife alter ego. An ironic underdog with a head of frazzled hair and excessive make-up, Diller endeared herself to an era of prosperous post-war middle Americans through stand-up, as well as musical and comedy routines. Her countless television appearances made Diller a household name, and she was forever seen in daytime talk shows and comedy-driven game shows like "The Hollywood Squares" (NBC, 1966-1980; 1983-84) and "The Gong Show" (NBC, 1976-1989) as a comic personality, forever puffing smoke from a long cigarette holder, and shooting off rapid-fire punch lines punctuated with her trademark loud, distinctive cackle.