Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers (born Joan Alexandra Molinsky; June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014) was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was noted for her acerbic wit and often controversial comedic persona—heavily self-deprecating and sharply critical of celebrities and politicians.
Early Life[edit | edit source]
Joan Rivers was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Russian-Jewish immigrants. She was raised in Larchmont, New York, and attended Barnard College, where she graduated with a degree in English literature and anthropology in 1954.
Career[edit | edit source]
Stand-Up Comedy[edit | edit source]
Rivers began her career in stand-up comedy in the late 1950s, performing in various clubs in Greenwich Village. Her big break came in 1965 when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson became a mentor to Rivers, and she became a frequent guest on the show.
Television[edit | edit source]
In the 1980s, Rivers became the first woman to host a late-night network television talk show with The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers on the Fox Network. She later hosted The Joan Rivers Show, which won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host.
Fashion Police[edit | edit source]
Rivers was also known for her work on Fashion Police, where she critiqued the fashion choices of celebrities. Her sharp and often controversial commentary made the show a hit.
Writing and Producing[edit | edit source]
In addition to her work in comedy and television, Rivers was a prolific writer and producer. She authored several books, including her autobiography Enter Talking and the best-selling Diary of a Mad Diva.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Rivers was married twice, first to James Sanger in 1955 (annulled after six months) and then to Edgar Rosenberg in 1965, with whom she had a daughter, Melissa Rivers. Edgar Rosenberg committed suicide in 1987, which had a profound impact on Rivers.
Death[edit | edit source]
Joan Rivers died on September 4, 2014, following complications from a minor throat procedure. Her death was widely mourned in the entertainment industry, and she was remembered as a trailblazer for women in comedy.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Rivers' influence on comedy and television is significant. She broke barriers for women in the industry and is remembered for her fearless and unapologetic approach to comedy.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.- 1933 births
- 2014 deaths
- American stand-up comedians
- American television talk show hosts
- American women comedians
- Daytime Emmy Award winners
- People from Brooklyn
- Barnard College alumni
- American people of Russian-Jewish descent
- Comedians from New York City
- 20th-century American comedians
- 21st-century American comedians
- Medicine stubs
- Encyclopedia
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD