Acerbic, trailblazing comedian Joan Rivers dies at 81
With caustic comedian Joan Rivers, there were never any fence sitters in the audience because there was never any fence to begin with.
With her defiant, foul-mouthed, and acid-tongued delivery, nothing was ever off-limits for Rivers, which prompted people to either revel in her fearlessness or despise her aggressive brand of humour.
Unfortunately, the world lost the legendary performer when she died of complications from minor surgery in New York City on September 4. She was 81 years old.
She had stopped breathing and slipped into cardiac arrest during a surgical procedure on her vocal chords on August 28.
Riversborn Joan Molinsky made her mark as a trailblazer in a male-dominated world of comedy and is credited for opening up doors for women in standup.
She first rose to fame as a guest on the Tonight Show in the 1960s and later became a guest host.
Although she became the first woman to host a late-night talk show when The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers launched on Fox in October 1986, she was fired from the show in 1987 and her husband Edgar Rosenberg committed suicide a few months later.
The woman behind the persona was revealed in the 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.
In the film, she talked about how she saw herself an actor who plays a comedian, because her lifelong dream was to be an actor. The documentary also revealed her workaholic drive, and how she feared having empty spots on her schedule.
Comedians such as Kathy Griffin and Sarah Silverman revered her as a pioneer.
Never one to shy away from anything, her intentionally politically incorrect remarks, including jokes about the Holocaust (she was Jewish herself), aroused controversy and criticism numerous times.
Even this past July, she called Michelle Obama a "tranny" and was the target of animal-rights activists for wearing fur.
Her biting criticism found a suitable fit in her red-carpet commentaries and as host of Fashion Police.
As harsh as she was on others, she was equally self-effacing and made fun of herself. She was frank about her obsession with cosmetic surgery, even calling herself the "plastic surgery poster girl" and revealing that she had over 700 procedures done.
Her daughter Melissa, whom she often cohosted and shared the spotlight with, issued a statement about her mother's death:
"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother.
Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated.
My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."
Celebrities have taken to Twitter to express their reactions to Rivers' death:
A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon, and wildly funny. One of a kind. RIP #JoanRivers @joan_rivers pic.twitter.com/jnAC5G4AQo
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) September 4, 2014
My friend Joan Rivers has passed away once again to quote Billy Crystal... There are no words. Bon Voyage Joan
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) September 4, 2014
My heart is torn in half. She wasn't done. #Joan http://t.co/XH87wAT4Mb
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) September 4, 2014
RIP the mighty Joan Rivers. Funny & fearless. Truly one of a kind.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) September 4, 2014
Terribly sad news about Joan I watched her back in Bev hills at the ye little club where I started out she was one of the greats
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) September 4, 2014
I'm very heartbroken to hear about my friend Joan Rivers.... She was sharper than 99.9% of anybody… http://t.co/9Kx7MCILPk
— Russell Peters (@therealrussellp) September 4, 2014
My first memory of watching a comedian on TV and literally falling on the floor - Joan Rivers on Solid Gold. "Can we talk here ?" RIP
— Rick Mercer (@rickmercer) September 4, 2014
we lost a great one in @Joan_Rivers - she was funny all the way to the end
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I’m very sad she’s gone. pic.twitter.com/i1uE9fyHMh
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 4, 2014
Rest in peace, Joan. You are a TRUE queen! #TBT pic.twitter.com/lvER3RM5XP
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) September 4, 2014
Am About Joan When I was Young.I Was going through a TOUGH TIME..& I Thought About Joan.She Had Told Stories About Her TOUGH Times,I Got
— Cher (@cher) September 4, 2014
The world will be less funny now-without Robin or Joan. to all other comics: LOVE YOU!
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) September 4, 2014
@Joan_Rivers Godspeed my sweet. Thanks for all the laughs. Thanks for all the love. I miss you already.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) September 4, 2014
RIP, Joan. You will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/DMO53btGZi
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 4, 2014
Terrible news about Joan Rivers. I was lucky enough to meet her a few months ago. She was still as comedically relevant as anyone.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers was one of our Greats.She gave her all and will be missed. I am very sad and my Heart goes out to her Family.
— Andrew Dice Clay (@TheRealDiceClay) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers. Synonymous with audacity, bravery, originality, brilliance, singularity, perseverance, hilarity. And yes, Joan, beauty.
— Andrea Martin (@iamandreamartin) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers was a wonderful and most gracious guest on Q. Chatted with her this summer and was reminded of her energy. Such sad news. #RIP
— jian ghomeshi (@jianghomeshi) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers never played it safe. She was the bravest of them all. Still at the top at the end. She will be sorely missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) September 4, 2014
Despite tragic passing of Joan Rivers, she'll be performing four shows this weekend at Foxwoods Casino.
— Mike Scully (@scullymike) September 4, 2014
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