Totie Fields

 Totie Fields (May 7, 1930 – August 2, 1978)

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, as well as a fifth-season episode of Here's Lucy starring Lucille Ball. In 1972, Fields wrote a humorous diet book titled I Think I'll Start on Monday: The Official 8½ Oz. Mashed Potato Diet. In April 1976, her left leg was amputated above the knee when surgery to remove a blood clot failed. This caused her to use a scooter for mobility. Ironically, Fields' last television appearance before her surgery was in a rare straight dramatic guest-starring role on the CBS-TV drama series Medical Center, which aired on February 23, 1976. In that episode, "Life, Death, and Mrs. Armbruster", Fields played Phoebe Armbruster, a hospital janitor plagued by heart problems. In June 1977 a much-thinner Fields starred in the Home Box Office special series Standing Room Only, beginning her show seated in a wheelchair. 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!" While still recovering from the amputation, Fields suffered two heart attacks. In October 1977, Fields was diagnosed with breast cancer and her right breast was removed. On August 2, 1978, Fields was scheduled to begin a two-week engagement at Las Vegas’ Sahara Hotel when, on the eve of the opening, she was stricken at home by a blood clot, suffering a fatal pulmonary embolism. She was rushed to nearby Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, but was pronounced dead soon after. She is interred with husband George Johnston at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, CA.