STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Phyllis Diller Dead at 95

Plus, the comedienne's protégé Rosie O'Donnell suffers heart attack.

Beloved comedy legend Phyllis Diller has died, her manager confirms. She was 95, and passed away in her sleep.
Characterized by her sharp wit and signature cackling laugh, Diller is widely considered to be the first star female comedian and has influenced everyone from Joan Rivers to Ellen DeGeneres. "The world has lost a true trailblazer, a gracious and kind woman, beloved by all," says Milt Suchin, her manager of 33 years.
Meanwhile, Diller's self-proclaimed protégé and fellow comedy legend Rosie O'Donnell suffered a heart attack last week. She is in stable condition and recovering at home. O'Donnell, 50, calls it a "miracle" she's still alive and credits her survival to taking an aspirin as she had seen on Bayer ads.
"Thank god/saved by a tv commercial/literally," she wrote Monday on her blog.
Earlier this month, O'Donnell's fiancée Michelle Rounds was diagnosed with desmoid tumors, a rare cancer-like disease.
Soon after hearing of Diller's death, O'Donnell posted a photo of herself with her mentor on Twitter with the caption "What a joy she was."
BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: AP/File)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.