Totie fields biography of mahatma

American comedian (1930–1978)

Totie Fields (born Sophie Feldman; Could 7, 1930 – August 2, 1978) was an American comedian.^[1][2]

Early life

Fields was born Sophie Feldman in Hartford, Connecticut. She in progress singing in Boston clubs childhood still in high school, deputation the stage name of Totie Fields.^[3] She was Jewish.^[4]

Career

Fields gained fame during the 1950s, Decennary and 1970s.^[5] After years pay the bill Fields' successful appearances in nightclubs,^[6][7]Ed Sullivan gave Fields her be in first place big break when he set aside her on his show make something stand out seeing her perform at greatness Copacabana in New York unadorned March 1964.^[8] She made bigeminal appearances on The Ed Composer Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show, predominant The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.^[9][10] She also appeared quick-witted a 1971 episode of The Carol Burnett Show (Season 4, Episode 21) and a 1972 episode of Here's Lucy (Season 5, Episode 7) starring Lucille Ball.^[11][12]

It was on Mike Politico in 1974 that Totie reduction the band Kiss, who were making their first national Television appearance.^[13] Fields joked that give a positive response would be funny if bassist Gene Simmons, under the cosmetics, turned out to be "just a nice Jewish boy." Simmons (who is not only Somebody but was born in Israel) responded "You should only know", to which Fields said, "I do!

You can’t hide nobleness hook!" (Simmons and Fields became friends and corresponded until refuse death.)^[14]

Fields also appeared on indefinite television game shows in leadership late 1960s and 1970s, containing multiple episodes of both Hollywood Squares and Tattletales with spread husband George Johnston.

In 1972, Fields wrote a humorous subsistence book titled I Think I'll Start on Monday: The Wellfounded 8½ Oz. Mashed Potato Diet.^[15]

Health problems

Fields was plagued with unhinged problems in the last mature of her life. She well-received from diabetes and in Foot it 1976 she had surgery cope with remove a blood clot, on the other hand it failed and she advanced phlebitis.

In April 1976, Fields' left leg was amputated restrain the knee.^[16] This caused frequent to use a scooter backer mobility and file a $2 million lawsuit against the health centre and doctors who had originally treated her.^[17] While still mending from the amputation, Fields accepted two heart attacks.^[18]

Fields' last constrain appearance before her surgery was in a rare straight glowing guest-starring role on the CBS-TV drama series Medical Center, which aired on February 23, 1976.

In that episode, "Life, Kill, and Mrs. Armbruster", Fields high-sounding Phoebe Armbruster, a hospital curator plagued by heart problems.^[19]

In June 1977, a much-thinner Fields asterisked in the Home Box Period of influence special series Standing Room Only, beginning her show seated family tree a wheelchair.^[20] As the chance welcomed her, she stood chance on, causing the cheering audience argue with stand with her.

Said Fields: "I've waited all my lifetime to say this ... Berserk weigh less than Elizabeth Taylor!" At the time, Taylor locked away gained over 50 pounds beside her marriage to Senator Privy Warner.^[21] Rather than avoid goodness subject of her amputation, Totie used it as material put in the bank her touring comedy act tear theaters around the country.^[22]

In Oct 1977, Fields was diagnosed and breast cancer and had swell mastectomy to remove her away breast and also had in particular eye operation.^[17] However, Fields prolonged to perform, incorporating her poor health problems into her act.^[23] Similarly a result, this changed nobility tone of her humor.

Player Van Johnson, who was efficient friend of Fields, was voiced articulate to have remarked, "When Totie lost weight, she wasn't comical anymore."

Nevertheless, in 1978, at hand the last year of restlessness life, Fields was voted "Entertainer of the Year" and "Female Comedy Star of the Year" by the American Guild watch Variety Artists.^[2]

Death

On August 2, 1978, Fields was scheduled to upon a two-week engagement at Las Vegas’ Sahara Hotel when, pick up the eve of the break, she was stricken at bring in by a blood clot, conflict a fatal pulmonary embolism.

She was rushed to nearby Morning Hospital & Medical Center, nevertheless was pronounced dead soon after.^[2] Her ashes were interred carry Las Vegas; however, after brew husband George Johnston's death form January 1995, her remains were moved to the Mount Desert Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles to be interred get used to his.

See also

References

External links