| Totie Fields | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | Sophie Feldman May 7, 1930 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Died | August 2, 1978 (aged 48) |
| Other name(s) | Totie Fields Johnston |
Totie Fields (May 7, 1930 – August 2, 1978)1 was an American comedian who was not afraid to poke fun at her own weight problems.
Life and career
Born Sophie Feldman in Hartford, Connecticut, Fields started singing in Boston clubs while still in high school. She took the stage name of Totie Fields. The name "Totie" was a childhood nickname, a corruption of her first name.
Fields gained fame during the 1960s and 1970s. Ed Sullivan gave Fields her first big break when he booked her on his show after seeing her perform at the Copacabana in New York. She made multiple appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and The Merv Griffin Show. In 1972, she wrote a humorous diet book titled I Think I'll Start on Monday: The Official 8 1/2 oz. Mashed Potato Diet (New York: Hawthorn Books, 1972). And, in 1978, during the last year of her life, Fields was voted "Entertainer of the Year" and "Female Comedy Star of the Year" by the American Guild of Variety Artists.
Fields was plagued with health problems the last two years of her life. In April 1976, her left leg was amputated above the knee when surgery to remove a blood clot failed. In June 1977, to the astonishment of her fans, Fields starred in the Home Box Office special series, Standing Room Only, beginning her show seated in a wheelchair.2 As the audience welcomed her, she stood up, causing the cheering audience to stand with her. Said Fields: "I've waited all my life to say this... I weigh less than Elizabeth Taylor!" The Old Totie was back and the audience put at ease; if Fields could laugh at her troubles, then it was all right to laugh with her.
While still recovering from the amputation, she suffered two heart attacks. And in October 1977, Fields was diagnosed with breast cancer and her right breast was removed. Nevertheless, Fields continued to perform, incorporating her health problems into her act.34
Fields was scheduled to appear at the Sahara Hotel when she suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism in her Las Vegas home on August 2, 1978. She was buried in Las Vegas and later moved to the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles to be buried next to her husband.
Totie Fields was married to George William Johnston Jr. She had two daughters, Jody and Debbie.
References
External links
- Totie Fields at the Internet Movie Database
- Lessons in Laughter - Totie Fields in Comedy College
- The Grave of Totie Field's (photo)
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 10 November 2008, at 22:13.
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