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Fright wig worn by Phyllis Diller

American History Museum

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  • Costume worn by Phyllis Diller during comedy routine in Vietnam on a USO Christmas tour with Bob Hope, 1967
  • Costume worn by Phyllis Diller during solo piano performances with symphony orchestras as 'Dame Illya Dillya'

    Object Details

    Description

    As part of her signature look, Phyllis Diller generally wore a fright wig: a wig with hair that stands out from the head. Diller began bleaching her hair early in her career in an attempt to look less like the average girl next door. After years of bleaching her hair it began to thin. A beauty parlor gave her a special rubber massage brush to stimulate hair regrowth, and while it did not lead to more hair growth it did make her hair stand on end, which quickly became her signature style. This style progressed and became more outlandish until she began wearing fright wigs like this one.

    Credit Line

    Gift of Phyllis Diller

    ID Number

    2003.0289.11

    accession number

    2003.0289

    catalog number

    2003.0289.11

    Object Name

    Wig

    Physical Description

    synthetic fibers (overall material)
    kanekalon (overall material)

    Measurements

    overall: 17 in x 14 in x 5 in; 43.18 cm x 35.56 cm x 12.7 cm

    place made

    Japan

    See more items in

    Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
    Popular Entertainment
    Phyllis Diller

    Exhibition

    Entertainment Nation

    Exhibition Location

    National Museum of American History

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Subject

    Humor
    Comedians

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-bc03-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_1218435

    Discover More

    Phyllis Diller Live from Los Angeles

    Phyllis Diller: Life and Laughs

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