Totie Fields: Trailblazing Stand‑up Star Of TV & Nightclubs
Totie Fields rose from Hartford clubs to national fame with sharp, self‑deprecating stand‑up. A frequent guest on Ed Sullivan, Tonight Show, and Mike Douglas, she became a beloved comedian in the 1960s–70s.
Jul 30, 202522.6K Shares332.8K Views
Totie Fieldsmade audiences across America laugh with her quick wit and fearless comedy style. She became one of the most popular female comedians of the 1960s and 1970s, appearing often on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, and The Mike Douglas Show. Her jokes often focused on her own life, especially her weight, which made her relatable and loved by many. Even during serious health problems, she kept performing and stayed strong in front of her fans.
Early Life
Totie Fields was born Sophie Feldmanon May 7, 1930in Hartford, Connecticut, into a Jewish family. Extrawise, while she was still in high school, she began singing at Boston clubs and chose the stage name “Totie,” which came from the baby‑talk version of Sophie. She grew up with a strong love for performing and often sang in venues around Boston even before graduation.
Career
Totie Fields began her professional comedy career in nightclubs during the 1950s and became a well-known name in the 1960s and 1970s. Her big break came in March 1964, when television host Ed Sullivan saw her perform at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City. Impressed by her talent, he invited her to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, which gave her national exposure. After that, she appeared regularly on popular television programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Her style of comedy, often based on her own life, especially her weight and family life, made her stand out from other comedians of the time.
Totie was also featured on other major shows like The Carol Burnett Showand Here’s Lucy. She became a frequent guest on game and variety shows such as Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, The Jerry Lewis Show, The Jim Nabors Hour, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, and Dinah!. These appearances helped make her a familiar and beloved face across American households.
In 1972, she published a humorous book titled I Think I’ll Start on Monday: The Official 8½ Ounce Mashed Potato Diet. The book reflected her open and honest comedy style, which often focused on her struggles with weight. Totie’s self-deprecating humor—where she made fun of her own life in a warm and relatable way—earned her a strong following. She often played a loud, funny housewife character that many people found familiar and comforting.
Later in her life, Totie faced serious health problems. She was a diabetic and in 1976, she had her left leg amputated due to complications. She also suffered heart attacks and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite these challenges, she continued to perform on stage and television. She even used her health experiences as material in her comedy, showing courage and strength in her performances. In 1978, she was honored with the "Entertainer of the Year" and "Female Comedy Star of the Year" awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists.
Totie Fields’s career was defined by her bold, personal humor and her ability to connect with audiences through honesty and strength. She remained active in entertainment until her death in 1978 and is remembered as one of the most important female comedians of her era.
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