This red-haired stand-up comedienne and comedy actress honed her writing skills by creating her own original sketches, first as a determined contestant in the Miss Alabama contest (which she finally won on her sixth attempt) and later in comedy clubs. In the 1960s, Fannie Flagg (born Patricia Neal) was hired as a writer for Allen Funt's "Candid Camera" and later became a regular performer on that show and its 1970s revival as well as on "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" (CBS, 1971-73), as Van Dyke's manager and "Harper Valley P.T.A./Harper Valley" (NBC, 1981-82), as Barbara Eden's sidekick. She
Entered the Miss Alabama contest as a teen, performing her own comedy material in the talent competition; took the crown after six attempts
Stage debut as the maid in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at the Town and Gown Theatre, Birmingham, AL
Hired by Allen Funt as a writer and later a cast regular for "Candid Camera" in the 1960s; moved to the West Coast with the show and stayed with it for five years
1966
New York stage debut in "Just For Openers" at the Upstairs at the Downstairs
