She was *DIFFERENT* ...

We lost an incredible Lady when Phyllis Diller passed away yesterday at age 95 in her Los Angeles home.

I always admired Phyllis for her unusual charm and spunk. Insisting that since she could never be beautiful (though, oh! I disagreed with that; she WAS in so many ways), she said that instead, she would be funny (I won't disagree with that). Many said she blazed the trail for female comedians, and perhaps along with Fanny Brice, was the most important comedienne of our times. 

I loved that she played up a lot of the eccentric horror-ific housewife aspects of her appearance, with the frizzy fright wigs and outlandish drag queenesque clothing (no wonder the gays loved her!), and, of course, that crow's caw of a laugh, which must have permeated my subconscious at a very young, impressionable age, as I laugh in a similar raucous manner (and damn proud to as well!). She was not afraid to go against the grain, and break all the rules that so-called ladies were supposed to adhere to. 

It goes without saying that my favorite performance of hers was in the classic 1960s Rankin-Bass animated movie, MAD MONSTER PARTY, as the Monster's Mate.

An Icon she will forever be. I can cite her as a personal influence, along with Cher, Maila Nurmi (TV's first horror host, 'Vampyra') and Bettie Page, among others.

I hope that as I grow older, I too can exude the same unique charm this legendary gal did. Thanks for the memories, Phyllis! We love you! 

Her star on the Hollywood Blvd. Walk of Fame