One of America's first female stand-up comics, Phyllis Diller passed away at her home in Brentwood on Monday. She was 95.

She opened the comedic door for generations of female comics that came after. Diller’s outlandish dresses, ratted hair and a fictional husband called “Fang” entertained audiences from the fifties until her retirement from stand up comedy in the late 1990s because of health issues.

Diller’s career began in 1952, when she starred as “Phyllis Dillis, the Homely Friendmaker” a 15 minute series on KROW radio in Oakland, California. She would make appearances at other radio stations before beginning her stand up career in 1954 at the “Purple Onion,” where she worked for the next 87 weeks.

Dillers career took off like a rocket after appearing with Bob Hope in 23 television specials and three films. After that she was a guest on many television programs such as “What’s my line?” and the “Rowen and Martin Show.”

Diller would have her own short-lived series beginning in 1966, and in 1968 starred in her own variety show.

Phyllis Diller’s rapid fire one liners were often puntuated with a flick of make believe ash from her iconic cigarette holder that was a part of her act. She was a life-long non-smoker. The cigarette holder would later in her career be disgarded from the act.

Diller lent her voice to many animated movies and television programs such as Scooby Doo, Family Guy, RObot Chicken, Jimmy Nuetron, Animaniacs and The Wildthornberrys among many others.

She was honored in 2000 for her comedic talents with a “Women in Film Lucy Award.”

Phyllis Diller died peacefully in her sleep on August 20th, 2012. She was found by her youngest son Perry. She had a smile on her face.