Totie Fields

From Freepedia

Totie Fields (May 7, 1930 - August 2, 1978) was a Zaftig American comedian who was not afraid to poke fun at her own weight problems. She was quoted as saying "I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is 14 days."

She was born Sophie Feldman on May 7, 1930 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 appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show 40 times, and then later made 125 appearances on The Mike Douglas 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 amputate above the knee when surgery to remove a blood clot failed. While still recovering from the amputation, she suffered two heart attacks. And in October 1977, Fields was diagnosed with breast cancer resulting and her right breast was removed. Nevertheless, Fields continued to perform, incorporating her health problems into her act.

Fields was scheduled to appear at the Sahara Hotel when she suffered a fatal heart attack in her Las Vegas home on August 2, 1978.

Fields was married to George Johnson. She had two daughters, Jody and Debbie. -- C. Adams

Reference

• Gerald Fraser. "Totie Fields Dead; Comedienne was 48." New York Times, 3 Aug. 1978.

• "Totie Fields Rotund Comic Was Entertainer of Year" The Globe and Mail, 3 Aug. 1978.