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

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. She made a number of appearances on the Ed Sullivan 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). 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.

Plagued with health problems, Fields was attempting a comeback 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, Aug 3, 1978.