Remembering Phyllis Diller

Social Commentary post by Kelsey Wallace on August 21, 2012 - 2:34pm; tagged Comedy, Phyllis Diller.

Legendary comedienne Phyllis Diller died yesterday at the age of 95. Though she wasn't the first woman to do standup comedy, her jokes about domestic life and her willingness to make fun of herself paved the way for countless funny ladies who came after her.

Phyllis Diller with text next to her that reads, I want my children to have everything I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them.
Classic.

Known for her outrageous style (she wore oversized metallic dresses so that audiences wouldn't know her actual body size), big blond wigs, and jokes about a husband named "Fang," Diller worked in comedy for decades, busting myths about women and aging in the process. Check out a video of some of her routines below:

Listen to an interview with Diller on NPR's Fresh Air, and read more about her life in this New York Times profile. Then go home, put on your wackiest outfit, and throw all of your laundry and dishes in the trash. Like Diller herself said, "Housework won’t kill you, but then again, why take the chance?"