Notes
Phyllis Diller
Phyllis Diller, an irrepressible lady with an outrageous laugh is recognized as one
of the leading female stand-up comics in the world today. She has starred on television,
in movies, and on the stage, and has headlined in venues all around the world.
Her career began at the age of 37 with a night-club act at San Francisco's Purple
Onion. What began as a 2-week contract ended in 89 weeks. Multi-talented, in the first
five years of her career she made it to Carnegie Hall.
In all, she has starred in more than 21 films, numerous television shows and stage
productions, for which she has a special fondness having portrayed Dolly Gallagher
Levi in the Broadway production "Hello Dolly". From 1972 to 1982, she also appeared
as a piano soloist with over 100 symphony orchestras in the U.S. and Canada.
She is also the author of four best selling books, and the recipient of numerous
awards in recognition of her talent including "Celebrity Business Woman of the Year
in 1990", as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Televised Annual Comedy
Awards in 1992, and the Lifetime Humor Award by the National Humor Institute in
1993.
Founded in 1993 by humanitarian and philanthropist, Lois Pope of Palm Beach,
Florida, Leaders in Furthering Education (LIFE) is a nonprofit foundation that
encourages young Americans to become leaders by participating in meaningful
endeavors that benefit the less fortunate.
Many of LIFE's monetary awards are reminiscent of the MacArthur "genius "
grants, but with a twist. LIFE provides financial backing for young people who have led
the way in helping the disadvantaged, but who now need help themselves to continue
to do good.
LIFE also offers other programs including a summer camp. In 1998, the Lois Pope
LIFE summer camp programs offered over 800 needy children and teenagers the
opportunity to attend. This year LIFE hopes to nearly double the number of participants
to 1400.
Pope's newest endeavor is to serve the disadvantaged through the disabled
veteran's LIFE Memorial Foundation especially created to spearhead a national
campaign for a disabled veterans memorial in Washington. The new foundation is also
working to improve the everyday lives of the disabled, many of whom are impoverished
and even homeless.
For further information about the LIFE foundation, contact:
Lois Pope
252 South Ocean Boulevard
Manalapan, FL 33462
Tel. (561) 547-9307