Totie Fields

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Totie Fields
Born	Sophie Feldman 7 May 1930(1930-05-07) Hartford, Connecticut
Died	2 August 1978 (aged 48)
Other name(s)	Totie Fields Johnston

Totie Fields (May 7, 1930 - August 2, 1978)^[1] was an American comedienne who was not afraid to poke fun at her own weight problems.^{[citation needed]}

Life and career

Fields was born Sophie Feldman in Hartford, Connecticut, United States, North America. She started singing in Boston clubs while still in high school, taking the stage name of Totie Fields. The name "Totie" was a childhood nickname, a corruption of her first name.^{[citation needed]}

Rise to fame

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.^{[citation needed]}

In 1972, Fields wrote a humorous diet book entitled I Think I'll Start on Monday: The Official 8 1/2 oz. Mashed Potato Diet (i.e., 8.5 ounces (240 g)).^[2]

Health problems

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. This caused her to use an Amigo POV/Scooter for mobility.

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.^[3] 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 was put at ease; if Fields could laugh at her troubles, then it was all right to laugh with her.^{[citation needed]}

While still recovering from the amputation, Fields suffered^[when?] two heart attacks.^[4]

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.^[4][5]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Death

On 2 August 1978, Fields was scheduled to appear at the Sahara Hotel, when she suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism in her Las Vegas home. 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.^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

• Totie Fields at the Internet Movie Database
• Lessons in Laughter - Totie Fields in Comedy College
• The Grave of Totie Fields (photo)