Final Curtain Call for Joan Rivers, Dead at 81

04 Sep, 2014

Joan Rivers, the pioneering comedian known for her acerbic wit, classic put-downs and for asking “Can we talk?,” died on Thursday at the age of 81 in a New York hospital a week after her heart stopped during an outpatient medical procedure.

Melissa Rivers, the comedian’s only child, said her mother died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, at 1:17 p.m. EDT

“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,” Melissa Rivers added in a statement.

There were no immediate details about a funeral or memorial service.

The Brooklyn-born comedian, who once described herself as “the plastic surgery poster girl” and often joked about her numerous cosmetic enhancements, suffered cardiac arrest during a procedure on her vocal cords at a Manhattan clinic on Aug. 28. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was put on life support.

The New York State Department of Health said on Thursday it is investigating the comedian’s death. A telephone message seeking comment from the clinic where Rivers was treated was not immediately returned.

Joan Alexandra Molinsky was born on June 8, 1933, in Brooklyn and grew up there and in a nearby town, the daughter of a doctor and a housewife. The Barnard College graduate began pursuing an entertainment career with the last name Rivers, which she borrowed from her agent.

Her lengthy career included stand-up comedy, television, writing and an Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, “The Joan Rivers Show.” But she originally wanted to be an actress.

She got into comedy after writing sketches for television’s “The Ed Sullivan Show.” A career in stand-up followed. She later worked as a regular guest host for Johnny Carson on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.”

When she started her own late-night talk show in 1986, on the rival Fox network, it caused a falling-out with Carson that lasted until he died in 2005. Rivers’ show was canceled after seven months due to low ratings.

Most recently, Rivers was the host of cable television channel E!’s “Fashion Police,” commenting on the unfortunate red carpet choices of Hollywood celebrities.

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