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Dress worn by Phyllis Diller on Circus of the Stars in 1983

American History Museum

Costume worn by Phyllis Diller on Circus of the Stars at Sea World in 1983
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  • Costume worn by Phyllis Diller on Circus of the Stars at Sea World in 1983
  • Costume worn by Phyllis Diller on Circus of the Stars at Sea World in 1983

    Object Details

    Description (Brief)

    This dress was worn by Phyllis Diller on Circus of the Stars in 1983. The complete costume consists of a hot pink dress with lime green polka dots, lime green bloomers, a hot pink headband, a handbag with a metal insert designed to hold fish, and two pairs of pantyhose. Diller also wore a lime green clown wig with the costume. During the 8th Circus of the Stars Phyllis Diller performed at Sea World with Clyde the seal and a 3,000 pound walrus named Schmedley.

    Airing between 1977 and 1994, Circus of the Stars was an annual CBS television special that showcased celebrities performing circus acts. Phyllis Diller appeared on 3 episodes of the program—in 1983, 1985, and 1994. NMAH also has the costume she wore for Circus of the Stars Goes to Disneyland in 1994 (Catalog Number 2003.0289.07).

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    Gift of Phyllis Diller

    Date made

    ca 1983

    ID Number

    2003.0289.06.01

    accession number

    2003.0289

    catalog number

    2003.0289.06.01

    Object Name

    Dress

    Physical Description

    synthetic fibers (overall material)
    cotton (overall material)
    metal (overall material)
    plastic (overall material)

    Measurements

    back: 34 in; 86.36 cm
    shoulder: 17 in; 43.18 cm

    See more items in

    Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
    Popular Entertainment
    Phyllis Diller

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Subject

    Humor
    Comedians
    Circus
    Television

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-24a6-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_1218408

    Discover More

    Phyllis Diller Live from Los Angeles

    Phyllis Diller: Life and Laughs

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