Phyllis Diller Dead At 95: Pioneering Comedian Remembered On Twitter

Phyllis Diller, the actress and pioneer for American female comedians, died Monday in Los Angeles. She was 95.

Diller had been in poor health since a recent fall and was under hospice care at her home since she injured her wrist and hip in the incident, TMZ reported.

Described as an "indefatigable nonagenarian" by IMDB, Diller was born Phillis Ada Driver on July 17, 1917 in Lima, Ohio.

Diller's penchant for comedy was first noticed by other wives where her husband worked at the Willow Run bomber plant in Michigan during World War II, the website reported. Diller delivered one-liners for the wives, who pushed her to get into comedy.

Diller made her comedy debut in 1955 at the Purple Onion in San Francisco and recorded her first comedy album in 1959, according to the New York Times.

Diller later branched into television and films, appearing alongside fellow comedian Bob Hope, who took a liking to Diller's style and her trademark cackling laugh.

In the 1960s, she also starred in "The Phyllis Diller Show" and the short-lived ABC sitcom "The Pruitts of Southampton." She also posed for Playboy, although the photos never appeared in the magazine, according to TMZ.

Diller also used her wit on game shows, including "Hollywood Squares," where she as a fixture.

As news of Diller's death spread, the entertainment world paid tribute to the pioneering comedian. "RIP Phyllis Diller" was trending in the United States on Twitter Monday.

"RIP Phyllis Diller. Comedy legend. Always made me laugh," said comedian Jim Gaffigan.

"RIP Phyllis Diller. You paved the way for all of the talented funny women who came after you. There's a little less laughter in the world," wrote Daily Beast TV columnist Jace Lacob.

"RIP Phyllis Diller, 95, a true pioneer. I mean, she was actually a pioneer. #toosoon?" wrote film critic Richard Roeper.

"RIP Phyllis Diller. Comedy Legend," wrote entertainer Billy Eichner of "Funny or Die's Billy on the Street."

"RIP, Phyllis Diller. You were a huge reason I grew up to love stand-up comedy," said Lesley Goldberg of The Hollywood Reporter.

Others who were touched by Diller's comedian expressed their sadness on Twitter over her death.

Some shared their personal stories of meeting Diller, including @woohah.

"RIP Phyllis Diller. A trailblazer. I saw her once in person-out of drag. shopping, and she was incredibly attractive & dressed to the nines," she said.

"RIP Phyllis Diller. An amazingly long life for an hilariously funny lady," wrote Aimee Giese.

"RIP Phyllis Diller. Your life, & memoir on it,have been a constant source of strength & inspiration 2 me... There are so very few stars left," said comedian Brad Loekle.