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Phyllis Diller Was a ‘Generous Friend’ — and Even Took a Then-Unknown Barbra Streisand Under Her Wing

Phyllis Diller was a 'generous friend' to all, including Barbra Streisand, whom she took under her wing, her son Perry Diller exclusively tells Closer.

With a fright wig of bleached hair, hideous over-sized dresses that disguised Phyllis’ slim figure, and a bejeweled cigarette holder, the comedian introduced herself to America as the housewife from hell. She punctuated jokes about her useless husband “Fang,” her awful in-laws, her appearance and her lack of domestic skill with wild, cackling laughter. “My mom was such a loyal, generous friend,” says Perry, who recalls how Phyllis took her opening act, a young singer named Barbra Strei­sand, under her wing.

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