Known to be an able provider of topical joke material for Academy Award
hosts (notably Billy Crystal). Also for comedy personalities on the
road such as Bette Midler.
Playing Edna Turnblad in the Broadway production of
Hairspray, recently played by Michael McKean and originated by Harvey
Fierstein. (October 2004)
Hefty, quipping, American gag writer who turned celebrity after becoming
a wisecracking regular on the revamped Hollywood Squares (1998) game show
(located next to Whoopi Goldberg in the left-center square).
Had a musical comedy background, claiming to have done every Stubby Kaye
role there was.
Attended Ohio State University in the 1960s as a theater and journalism
student.
Starring as Edna Turnblad in the national tour of the
Broadway smash hit, Hairspray. (September 2003)