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Selma Diamond
Selma Diamond
Selma Diamond
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Selma Diamond (August 5, 1920 – May 13, 1985) was a Canadian-born American comedian, actress, and radio and television writer, known for her high-range, raspy voice and her portrayal of Selma Hacker on the first two seasons of the NBC television comedy series Night Court. Diamond was also the main inspiration for the character of Sally Rogers on the series The Dick Van Dyke Show.[1]

Key Information

Early life

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Diamond was born on August 5, 1920,[2] in London, Ontario, Canada,[3] to a tailor and his wife. Diamond's grandmother was a suffragette.[4] When Diamond was a young girl, they moved to Brooklyn, New York.[5]

Diamond attended high school in Brooklyn[6] and graduated from New York University.[6]

Career

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Diamond published cartoons and humor essays in The New Yorker.[7] Later, she moved to the West Coast and hired an agent. She worked in radio and, eventually, television. Her first radio writing credit was in 1943 on Blue Ribbon Town with Groucho Marx.[8] That initial credit turned into a 65-week tenure with Marx's show and a longer friendship with him.[6] She also wrote for the Camel Caravan with Jimmy Durante and Garry Moore,[9] The Drene Show with Rudy Vallee,[10] Duffy's Tavern,[11] and The Kenny Baker Show.[12]

Diamond wrote for the radio version of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet for 20 weeks.[13] She left that show in 1950 and became one of the staff hired by comedy writer Goodman Ace (who had previously hired her for some work on Danny Kaye's 1940s radio show) for The Big Show (1950–1952), the 90-minute weekly program hosted by actress Tallulah Bankhead. In 1951-1952, Diamond collaborated with cartoonist Gill Fox, writing for his "Jeanie" comic strip that ran daily in the New York Herald Tribune.[14]

Diamond moved to television as one of the writers for Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca's Your Show of Shows. While writing for another Caesar vehicle, Caesar's Hour, Diamond earned an Emmy nomination. She also worked for Ace once again, writing for Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall television series.[1] In 1961, Diamond said about being the only female in a group of five writers for the Como show: "They feel handicapped, not me." At another time, she said, "It's like being Red China. I'm there. They just don't recognize me."[15] Carl Reiner said that he had Diamond in mind when he created Sally Rogers as a character in The Dick Van Dyke Show.[3]

In 1953, she wrote for Milton Berle's TV show.[6] In 1960, she released a comedy album based on her humorous conversational style, Selma Diamond Talks...and Talks and Talks and Talks... (Carleton LPX 5001). In 1970, she wrote the book Nose Jobs for Peace, published by Prentice-Hall (ISBN 9780136238270).[16]

By the 1960s and 1970s, Diamond was familiar as a frequent guest on The Jack Paar Show[15] and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and she made numerous film appearances, including Stanley Kramer's comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (as the unseen telephone voice of Spencer Tracy's wife, Ginger Culpepper), Bang the Drum Slowly (as hotel switchboard operator Tootsie), and All of Me (as Margo). In 1982, she appeared in My Favorite Year with a memorable small role as wardrobe mistress for King Kaiser's Comedy Calvalcade, a fictional show which clearly echoed the time and venue of her work for Sid Caesar. She was also a semi-regular for four seasons of the Ted Knight comedy series Too Close For Comfort.

In addition to her writing, Diamond performed as an actress, making her debut in a summer touring version of Bye, Bye Birdie.[17] Her other work in summer stock productions included Come Blow Your Horn and Barefoot in the Park.[16] On television, she portrayed Selma Hacker on Night Court in 1984 and 1985 for which she received her second Emmy nomination.[18][19]

Death

[edit]

Diamond died of lung cancer on May 13, 1985, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, aged 64, with no known family members.[3]

She was buried in Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, Los Angeles County, California.[20]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1963 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Ginger Culpeper Voice
1973 Bang The Drum Slowly Tootsie
1982 My Favorite Year Lil
1983 Lovesick Harriet Singer, M.D.
Twilight Zone: The Movie Mrs. Weinstein Segment: "Kick the Can"
1984 All of Me Margo

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1963 Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine American Scene Magazine Reporter Episode: "#1.17"
1972 Arnie Selma Episode: "Wilson Tastes Like a Good Candidate Should"
McMillan & Wife Gas Station Attendant Episode: "An Elementary Case of Murder"
Magic Carpet Mrs. Vogel Television Film
1977 The Edge of Night Mrs. Yoast Unknown Episodes
1978 Flying High Woman in beauty salon Episode: "Swan Song for an Ugly Duckling"
1980 - 1984 Too Close for Comfort Mildred Rafkin 08 Episodes
1983 Archie Bunker's Place Mrs. Isaacson Episode: "Three Women"
The Other Woman Aunt Jeanette Television Film
Nine to Five Selma Episode: "The Phantom"
Trapper John, M.D. Martha Episode: "What a Difference a Day Makes"
1984 The Ratings Game Francine's Mother Television Film (voice only)
1984 - 1985 Night Court Bailiff Selma Hacker / Selma Hacker 36 Episodes
1985 The Jetsons Di Di Episode: "Elroy in Wonderland" (voice)
1989 Night Court Bailiff Selma Hacker Archive Footage / Episode: "Clip Show: Part 1"

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Selma Diamond

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from Grokipedia
Selma Diamond (August 5, 1920 – May 13, 1985) was a Canadian-born American comedian, actress, and writer renowned for her distinctive high-pitched, raspy voice and pioneering role as one of the few women in mid-20th-century comedy writing. Born in , to Jewish immigrant parents, she moved to , New York, at a young age and graduated from , where she honed her comedic talents. Diamond began her career selling humorous short stories and cartoons to magazine, earning $5 for her first published piece, before transitioning to professional writing for radio and television. Her writing career flourished in the 1940s and 1950s, contributing acerbic sketches to iconic radio programs such as Groucho Marx's , Danny Kaye's The Big Show, and Milton Berle's variety show, often as the sole woman on all-male writing teams. She earned an Emmy nomination in 1956 for outstanding comedy writing on Sid Caesar's , where her wit helped shape the era's groundbreaking alongside talents like . Diamond's influence extended to , inspiring the character of head writer , a rare female figure in a TV . Transitioning to acting later in life, Diamond became best known for her role as the no-nonsense bailiff Selma Hacker on the sitcom during its first two seasons (1984–1985), for which she received a posthumous Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, a part that showcased her delivery and earned her widespread recognition. She appeared in films including a voice role as Spencer Tracy's wife in the ensemble comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), (1973), (1982), and All of Me (1984), often playing sharp-tongued supporting characters. A frequent guest on with hosts and , Diamond also performed in theater, notably in the musical . She died of at in at age 64, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer who navigated and enriched male-dominated comedy fields with her unapologetic humor.

Early Life

Birth and Family

Selma Diamond was born on August 5, 1920, in , , to Diamond, a , and his wife Edith Drucker. Her family was Jewish, part of the local community in . Diamond's Jewish heritage played a significant role in her early family life, with traditions and cultural influences shaping her upbringing in . She later attributed her ambition and comedic talents to her grandmother, a who embodied progressive ideals within their Jewish family background. Her early childhood in was brief, centered around family and the modest circumstances of her father's tailoring profession, before the family relocated to , New York, when she was a young girl.

Upbringing and Education

Following her family's relocation from , to , New York, when she was a young girl, Selma Diamond grew up in the bustling urban environment of the borough, adapting to its vibrant Jewish immigrant community and fast-paced city life. She was immersed in the diverse neighborhoods of during her formative years, where the city's energy and cultural mix shaped her early worldview. Diamond attended high school in , completing her there amid the challenges and opportunities of urban public schooling in . Her time in Brooklyn's educational system provided a foundation for her sharp observational humor, influenced by the streetwise demeanor she later became known for. She went on to enroll at , graduating with a degree that reflected her academic dedication despite financial constraints. To support herself through her studies, Diamond sold stories and cartoons to various magazines, honing her creative skills in a competitive New York media landscape. This period marked her initial foray into writing as a means of self-sufficiency, blending education with emerging artistic pursuits.

Career

Writing Career

Selma Diamond began her writing career in the early 1940s by selling cartoons and short humor essays to magazines, most notably , where her witty, observational style first gained recognition. After graduating from , she transitioned into professional writing, leveraging her comedic voice to contribute pieces that blended sharp with everyday absurdities. Diamond's entry into broadcast writing came via radio in 1943, when she received her first credit on Blue Ribbon Town, hosted by ; this opportunity extended into a 65-week stint crafting scripts for the comedian's irreverent humor. She continued contributing to prominent radio programs, including Camel Caravan with and , Duffy's Tavern, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, where she wrote for 20 weeks in 1950, honing her skills in fast-paced comedic dialogue amid all-male writing teams. As one of the few women in these environments, Diamond later reflected on the isolation, stating, "like being Red China—I'm there, they just don't recognize me," highlighting the barriers she navigated in mid-20th-century . By the early 1950s, Diamond shifted to television, joining the writers' room for starring and , where she collaborated on sketches that defined live comedy's golden age. She followed this with work on , earning an Emmy nomination in 1956 for outstanding comedy writing, shared with her team for episodes blending satire and slapstick. Additional television credits included , Kraft Music Hall with under producer Goodman Ace, and contributions to , where her experiences as a female writer inspired the character of . Her radio-honed timing and knack for punchy one-liners made her a key collaborator in these high-pressure productions. In 1960, Diamond released her debut comedy album, Selma Diamond Talks...and Talks and Talks and Talks... on Carlton Records (LPX 5001), featuring monologues that captured her distinctive conversational wit in a format that echoed her print and script work. A decade later, she published her humor collection Nose Jobs for Peace through Prentice-Hall, a slim volume of essays and vignettes satirizing modern life, relationships, and cultural quirks, which received notice for its dry, self-deprecating tone.

Acting Career

Selma Diamond transitioned from writing to in the early , drawing on her early experiences crafting comedic material for radio and television to inform her on-screen personas. Her distinctive high-pitched, raspy voice—self-described as "sounding like Brillo"—became a signature element, lending a gravelly edge to her portrayals of wisecracking, no-nonsense characters that amplified her delivery and timing. She also performed in theater, with notable roles including the 1962 production of at the and the 1971 revival of Stephen Sondheim's on Broadway. By the 1960s, Diamond gained visibility through frequent guest appearances on late-night talk shows, including with and later with , where her quick-witted banter and vocal quirks endeared her to audiences. Her experiences also served as the primary inspiration for the character of , the sharp-tongued female writer on , portrayed by . In the 1980s, Diamond secured recurring television roles that showcased her comedic strengths. She played Mildred Rafkin, a quirky neighbor, in eight episodes of the sitcom from 1980 to 1984. Her breakthrough came as the chain-smoking bailiff Selma Hacker on , appearing in 36 episodes across the first two seasons from 1984 to 1985; the role, mirroring her own name and persona, earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series in 1985. Diamond extended her range into , providing the raspy tones for Di-Di, Judy Jetson's robotic diary, in episodes of the animated series . Toward the end of her career, Diamond made memorable film cameos that highlighted her impeccable timing in ensemble comedies, such as the exasperated Mrs. Weinstein in Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) and the ghostly Margo in All of Me (1984), roles that capitalized on her vocal idiosyncrasies for humorous effect.

Death

Illness

In the mid-1980s, Selma Diamond was diagnosed with , a disease linked to her longtime heavy habit. She had been in and out of hospitals since January 1985, managing the advancing illness while continuing her professional commitments. The severity of her condition became clear around mid-April 1985, shortly after she completed filming the final episodes of the second season of , where she portrayed the Selma Hacker. Diamond was hospitalized at in on May 1, 1985, by which time her had reached an advanced stage. Despite treatment efforts, her health deteriorated rapidly during her stay. She passed away on May 13, 1985, at 3:24 a.m., at the age of 64, while still under care at Cedars-Sinai. Diamond died with no known survivors. Her death occurred amid preparations for the upcoming third season of , marking the end of her battle with the disease.

Burial and Tributes

Selma Diamond is interred at Hillside Memorial Park in . Following her death, contemporary tributes in media underscored her enduring comedy legacy, with the obituary praising her as a trailblazing writer who collaborated with luminaries such as , , and , and whose raspy voice and sharp timing defined her acting roles. Her work as one of the few women in radio and television writing rooms during the and broke barriers, earning respect from peers like despite the era's gender challenges. Posthumously, Diamond's influence on female writers and performers in radio and television has been widely acknowledged; notably, Carl Reiner modeled the character of Sally Rogers—a pioneering female comedy writer—on The Dick Van Dyke Show after Diamond's real-life experiences in male-dominated writers' rooms. This recognition highlights her role in paving the way for women in entertainment comedy.

Filmography

Film Roles

Selma Diamond began her film career with a voice role in the 1963 ensemble comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, where she provided the unseen voice of Ginger Culpeper, the wife of T.G. Culpeper (played by ), delivering sharp, exasperated lines that highlighted her distinctive nasal delivery in a chaotic chase sequence. After a ten-year hiatus from the screen, Diamond returned in 1973's poignant baseball drama , portraying Tootsie, a wisecracking switchboard operator whose brief appearance added a touch of wry humor to the film's emotional narrative about friendship and mortality. In 1982, she appeared in the nostalgic comedy as Lil, the no-nonsense wardrobe mistress for a fictional , infusing the backstage antics with her trademark and contributing to the film's affectionate tribute to old Hollywood. Diamond took on two roles in 1983: first as Dr. Harriet Singer, a quirky analyst, in the romantic comedy Lovesick, where her character's eccentric psychoanalysis provided comic relief amid the protagonist's obsessive pursuit; later that year, she played Mrs. Weinstein, an elderly resident, in the anthology film Twilight Zone: The Movie, specifically in the "Kick the Can" segment, adding her dry wit to the story of seniors rediscovering youth through play. Her final film role came in 1984's body-swap comedy All of Me, in which she portrayed Margo, Roger's sassy secretary in the law firm, whose snappy dialogue enhanced the film's farcical premise of shared consciousness between and Lily Tomlin's characters.

Television Roles

Diamond's television career featured several recurring roles in sitcoms during the early 1980s, beginning with her portrayal of Mildred Rafkin, the quirky sister of a deceased character, on from 1980 to 1984. She appeared in eight episodes of the series, bringing her distinctive raspy voice and humor to the role of the meddlesome neighbor. Her most prominent television role came as Selma Hacker on , where she played the chain-smoking, no-nonsense court officer from 1984 to 1985 across 36 episodes in the show's first two seasons. This performance, which mirrored her own persona, earned Diamond a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series at the 37th . In addition to these recurring appearances, Diamond made notable guest spots on various programs. She guest-starred as Mrs. Isaacson in the 1983 episode "Three Women" of , delivering a sharp comedic turn as a catty housekeeper. Diamond was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring , appearing multiple times from the 1960s through the 1980s, often showcasing her rapid-fire wit in monologue-style segments. Her voice work extended to animation, voicing the floating robotic diary Di-Di in two episodes of in 1985, including "Judy's Birthday Surprise" and "Elroy in Wonderland."

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/14/arts/selma-diamond-64-is-dead-comedy-writer-and-actress.html
  2. https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/diamond-selma
  3. https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/what-happened-to-selma-diamond-on-night-court
  4. https://www.emmys.com/bios/selma-diamond
  5. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2495/selma-diamond
  6. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/05/14/Comic-actress-writer-Selma-Diamond-dead-at-64/7336484891200/
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/1953/09/20/archives/television-rarity-selma-diamond-is-writer-of-comedy-for-video.html
  8. https://www.nytimes.com/1961/05/21/archives/selma-diamond-tv-laughmaker.html
  9. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0224723/awards/
  10. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1985/05/14/tvs-selma-diamond-64-matron-on-night-court/
  11. https://www.discogs.com/release/6444797-Selma-Diamond-Talks-And-Talks-And-Talks-And-Talks-
  12. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/selma-diamond/nose-jobs-for-peace/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0224723/otherworks/
  14. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/01/06/selma-easily-plays-selma-on-night-court/
  15. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/selma-diamond
  16. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-jetsons/cast/1030004761/
  17. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-13-mn-9948-story.html
  18. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-14-me-19057-story.html
  19. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79559/its-a-mad-mad-mad-mad-world
  20. https://hanna-barbera.fandom.com/wiki/Selma_Diamond
  21. https://www.fandango.com/people/selma-diamond-177661/film-credits
  22. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/50011%257C139219/Selma-Diamond
  23. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/selma_diamond
  24. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/lovesick/cast/2030009187/
  25. https://www.amazon.com/prime-video/actor/Selma-Diamond/amzn1.dv.gti.ebd532bb-2832-41ab-af13-6fc388811403
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080299/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086770/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0514362/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6238334/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1287158/
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