Joan Rivers Dies at 81--
Joan Rivers, a pioneer for women in stand-up comedy and television, has died, her daughter confirmed. She was 81. Rivers died at 1:17 p.m. ET Thursday in New York surrounded by family and friends.
"My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh," Melissa Rivers said. "Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."
From Carson's couch to the ice bucket challenge, Rivers spent a half century in front of the cameras using the signature catch phrase: "Can we talk?" Celebrities did. As did Rivers, who had a tart tongue that she often turned on herself to stay in the spotlight. "Dress by Oscar de la Renta, body by Oscar Mayer," she once joked.
Known for her raspy voice and New York accent, Rivers often stirred up controversy with her candid remarks. She also wasn't shy about the number of cosmetic surgery procedures she had undergone over the years.
Born Joan Molinksy on June 8, 1933 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Rivers graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in English literature. She played the comedy club scene in New York in the 1960s before appearing on "Candid Camera." She made her debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1965 and went on to host her own program, "That Show with Joan Rivers."
In the '70s, she continued her visits to "The Tonight Show" and graced the small screen with....
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/joan-rivers-dea
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1|1|OMG! Joan has passed away!|inthesticks|jbsimon@ymail.com|16:21:40|09/04/2014|
My heart hurts with this news...as I've always loved Joan Rivers from her early days in stand-up and her appearance on the Tonight Show w/Johnny Carson.
Joan...you were a witty, funny, sharp-tongued woman. I really admired you; RIP.
2|1|love joan, such a funny, funny gal |smiles|mrsbettygreen@yahoo.com|17:22:00|09/04/2014|
RIP