Comedian Phyllis Diller, known for her self-deprecating humor, died "peacefully in her sleep" at her Los Angeles home Monday morning, her manager told CNN. Diller was 95.
"Her son, Perry, found her with a smile on her face," Milt Suchin said.
Diller , who paved the way for female comedians, began her legendary stand-up comedy career at the age of 37.
"We lost a comedy legend today," comedian Ellen DeGeneres tweeted. "Phyllis Diller was the queen of the one-liners. She was a pioneer."
Diller's career as a stand-up comic skyrocketed in the 1960s, partly because of her many appearances with Bob Hope on his television specials and USO tours. Diller remained good friends with Hope until his death.
iReport: Phyllis Diller original paintings
"She was a true pioneer," said talent agent Fred Wostbrock. "She was the first lady of stand-up comedy. She paved the way for everybody. She paved the way for Joan Rivers, Chelsea Handler, Roseanne Barr, Ellen Degeneres, and all the women stand-up comics. She was the first and the best."
Comedian Whoopi Goldberg tweeted that she was said the world lost a funny, classy and smart woman like Diller.
"A true original has died," Goldberg tweeted, adding that there was nobody who looked or sounded like her.
Diller's first appearance on TV was as a contestant on Groucho Marx's show "You Bet Your Life."
Diller was also known her for hilarious roasts of major personalities. You can watch her roast Ronald Reagan here:
Obituaries 2012: The lives they've lived
EW.com: 'She was a true pioneer'
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a native from my hometown of St Louis......always loved her and her "Fang" jokes. She will be missed.
Such a hilarious lady! Lived a nice long life making millions laugh through the years! RIP Phyllis! May everyone laugh upstairs as you did her on the earth!
Thank you, Phyllis Diller, for making a huge difference for the betterment of this sad world.
I shall continue to laugh just thinking of your shtick.
I've got more rhymes than Phyllis Diller!
-MC A.
"Her son, Perry, found her with a smile on her face," Milt Suchin said.
There's an obvious face-lift joke here. I'm sure PD would have loved it.
Why don't you try something that will no doubt be new for you... PICK UP A BOOK AND READ! Phyllis Diller is the reason there are female comics on stage and television today... moron!
Now THIS is a atomic loss for the entertainment community. Rest in piece Phyllis, we all love you. And we will always love you.
Phylis Diller certainly was a pioneer.
How much did Chelsea Handler's publicist have to pay to even get mentioned in this article let alone listed in the same company of the other comediennes?
I love me some Phyllis Diller. She was a riot. It's ironic that the funny lady died peacefully with a smile on her face. I tell my family and friends all the time that this is exactly the way I will like to go, peacefully and with the biggest grin my last breath can muster. RIP Phyllis.
So many of the greats are moving on, leaving not much behind. It seems that like a generation of folks I "grew up with" are passing on. And few of the ones left behind are measuring up. Oh, well. Such is life.
Will never ever forget her, what an awesome woman she was. may she rest in peace.
Such a sad day... I just loved watching Phyllis Diller she always made me laugh. Truly a great performer. She and Bob Hope together, it doesn't get much better than that!!!
RIP Phyllis, you will be missed.
One of the greats.
Her humor was one of a kind.
She was truly awesome. Hopefully she is up in Heaven telling jokes and having fun right this minute. May GOD Bless her and her family always.
Heaven just got a little funnier. This wonderful comedienne was a pioneer, and a funny person in her own right. She possessed the rare ability to laugh at herself only to be joined by millions of others. She will be missed here because there ain't none left but Sandra Bernhard.and Roseanne So Mr. Benny, Hope, Skelton, Durante, another great is on her way so you need to make room for one more.
She was the early and the best! So many laughs right up til the end. Thanks for all of it! RIP