Remembering Joan Rivers
Acerbic comedian Joan Rivers died in New York on Thursday, a week after suffering cardiac arrest during a medical procedure on her vocal cords, her daughter Melissa Rivers said. She was 81 years old.
Apart from being a globally recognized stand-up comedian, Rivers was also a playwright and a frequent interviewer at red carpet events. The city of Tinseltown even awarded her a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame.
Fellow comedians, actors and prominent figures paid tribute to Rivers:
Melissa Rivers in a statement announcing her mother’s death: “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.”
Statement from television network E!, which aired Rivers Fashion Police show, and parent company NBCUniversal: “For decades Joan has made people laugh, shattered glass ceilings and revolutionized comedy. She was unapologetic and fiercely dedicated to entertaining all of us and has left an indelible mark on the people that worked with her and on her legions of fans.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “Joan Rivers brought laughter to millions around the world and was proud of her Jewish heritage and a vocal supporter of the State of Israel. We will miss her deeply and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family.”
Real estate mogul Donald Trump, whose Celebrity Apprentice reality TV show Rivers won in 2009, on Twitter said Rivers “was an amazing woman and a great friend. Her energy and talent were boundless. She will be greatly missed.”
Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres said on Twitter: “Joan Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I’m very sad she’s gone.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2014.