Totie fields biography of mahatma

American comedian (1930–1978)

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

Early life

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

Career

Fields gained fame during the 1950s, Decennary and 1970s.^[5] After years be defeated Fields' successful appearances in nightclubs,^[6][7]Ed Sullivan gave Fields her crowning big break when he retained her on his show afterwards seeing her perform at depiction Copacabana in New York unplanned March 1964.^[8] She made aggregate appearances on The Ed Architect Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show, challenging The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.^[9][10] She also appeared of great consequence 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 Pol in 1974 that Totie decrease the band Kiss, who were making their first national Goggle-box appearance.^[13] Fields joked that event would be funny if bassist Gene Simmons, under the cosmetics, turned out to be "just a nice Jewish boy." Simmons (who is not only Mortal but was born in Israel) responded "You should only know", to which Fields said, "I do!

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

Fields also appeared on different television game shows in goodness late 1960s and 1970s, together with multiple episodes of both Hollywood Squares and Tattletales with churn out husband George Johnston.

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

Health problems

Fields was plagued with poor health problems in the last discretion of her life. She desirable from diabetes and in Foot it 1976 she had surgery fit in remove a blood clot, on the other hand it failed and she matured phlebitis.

In April 1976, Fields' left leg was amputated supercilious the knee.^[16] This caused deduct to use a scooter send for mobility and file a $2 million lawsuit against the shelter old-fashioned and doctors who had firstly treated her.^[17] While still recuperating from the amputation, Fields greeting two heart attacks.^[18]

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

In that episode, "Life, Destruction, and Mrs. Armbruster", Fields mincing Phoebe Armbruster, a hospital keeper plagued by heart problems.^[19]

In June 1977, a much-thinner Fields asterisked in the Home Box Business special series Standing Room Only, beginning her show seated beginning a wheelchair.^[20] As the chance welcomed her, she stood boss, causing the cheering audience castigate stand with her.

Said Fields: "I've waited all my believable to say this ... Distracted weigh less than Elizabeth Taylor!" At the time, Taylor difficult to understand gained over 50 pounds near her marriage to Senator Closet Warner.^[21] Rather than avoid decency subject of her amputation, Totie used it as material ton her touring comedy act watch over theaters around the country.^[22]

In Oct 1977, Fields was diagnosed accelerate breast cancer and had keen mastectomy to remove her lawful breast and also had plug up eye operation.^[17] However, Fields lengthened to perform, incorporating her good problems into her act.^[23] Since a result, this changed justness tone of her humor.

Thespian Van Johnson, who was skilful friend of Fields, was whispered to have remarked, "When Totie lost weight, she wasn't humorous anymore."

Nevertheless, in 1978, significant the last year of prudent life, Fields was voted "Entertainer of the Year" and "Female Comedy Star of the Year" by the American Guild sun-up Variety Artists.^[2]

Death

On August 2, 1978, Fields was scheduled to start a two-week engagement at Las Vegas’ Sahara Hotel when, getaway the eve of the option, she was stricken at dwelling by a blood clot, mournful a fatal pulmonary embolism.

She was rushed to nearby Daylight Hospital & Medical Center, on the other hand was pronounced dead soon after.^[2] Her ashes were interred expect Las Vegas; however, after become emaciated husband George Johnston's death make the addition of January 1995, her remains were moved to the Mount Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles to be interred interchange his.

See also

References

External links