Some considered Joan Rivers an uplifting comedian who crossed boundaries that no one else could. Others thought of her as a fashion icon who had her own personal zest. And, inevitably, some thought she was too controversial to be funny. Sadly, that colorful persona lost her life on September 4, 2014.
On August 28th, Rivers was hospitalized after she went into cardiac arrest during a procedure on her vocal cords. After spending a week in the hospital, The New York State Health Department still wasn’t sure what the exact cause of her death was. Many attended her funeral, which was described to be “glamorous;” of course, nothing less was expected from Joan.
Joan’s start in comedy began in the 1960s and, similar to other comedians, she was sharp. However, she immediately stuck out from others, creating a reputation for herself as the “not-so-nice-girl.” She was groundbreaking to say the least.
When she started, it wasn’t a time when the comedy industry was booming for women. She was one of the first females to establish a role for herself within the comedy world. That fervor stuck with her for decades, even up until her last days. It was all about the truth for her; she said what other people thought but didn’t have the courage to say. What drove Rivers was her audience – as long as they were laughing, she was right there with them.
Rivers paved the path for many women in comedy. Today, the comedy world is dominated by some of the most famous women in the public eye, such as Kathy Griffin, Kristen Wiig, and Tina Fey. Although she is gone, she is certainly not forgotten. Rest in peace, Joan.
Take a look at some of Joan’s earlier comedy below.