From her home in Webster Groves, Phyliss Ada Driver performed and became a regular at clubs in the Gaslight Square entertainment district in St. Louis. There, she performed under the stage name Phyliss Diller. Â
She would, of course, go on to find fame and hit the big time with Bob Hope and others.
Diller entered the comedy profession in the 1950s. Her outrageous personality and jokes that mocked her looks and hatred of housekeeping were in stark contrast to the typical housewives of the time.
This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.
Photo credit: PJ Galszabo, Unsplash
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