Joan Rivers.Photo: Michael Lamont
Born Joan Molinsky in Brooklyn, New York, on June 8, 1933,Joan Riversgot her first taste of performing at New York’s Barnard College, where the literature/anthropology major appeared in numerous productions. She went on to have a prolific career in comedy and on television, cracking up audiences with her late-night one-liners and sharp fashion takes.Rivers died on Sept. 4, 2014, during a medical procedure in New York City. She was 81. Here, her life in photos, on what would have been her 90th birthday.
Born Joan Molinsky in Brooklyn, New York, on June 8, 1933,Joan Riversgot her first taste of performing at New York’s Barnard College, where the literature/anthropology major appeared in numerous productions. She went on to have a prolific career in comedy and on television, cracking up audiences with her late-night one-liners and sharp fashion takes.
Rivers died on Sept. 4, 2014, during a medical procedure in New York City. She was 81. Here, her life in photos, on what would have been her 90th birthday.
01of 16The Early DaysCBS /LandovAfter graduation, Rivers became a buyer for a clothing chain and married the owner’s son. When that marriage ended after six months, Rivers tried her hand at acting, and in 1959 played opposite then-unknownBarbra Streisandin an Off-Broadway play. But she soon switched to comedy, testing out her skills in nightclubs and coffeehouses in New York City.
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The Early Days
CBS /Landov
After graduation, Rivers became a buyer for a clothing chain and married the owner’s son. When that marriage ended after six months, Rivers tried her hand at acting, and in 1959 played opposite then-unknownBarbra Streisandin an Off-Broadway play. But she soon switched to comedy, testing out her skills in nightclubs and coffeehouses in New York City.
02of 16Her Big BreakNBC/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyIn 1965, after years of struggling, Rivers did her stand-up act onThe Tonight Show, where the young comedienne, now making a name for herself with her sharp-tongued humor and trademark line “Can we talk?”, won over host Johnny Carson. With the cameras rolling, he told her, “You’re going to be a star” — and, indeed, her career took off. “He gave me everything,” shetold PEOPLE.
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Her Big Break
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
In 1965, after years of struggling, Rivers did her stand-up act onThe Tonight Show, where the young comedienne, now making a name for herself with her sharp-tongued humor and trademark line “Can we talk?”, won over host Johnny Carson. With the cameras rolling, he told her, “You’re going to be a star” — and, indeed, her career took off. “He gave me everything,” shetold PEOPLE.
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Falling in Love Again
Truman Moore/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty
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AP
After daughterMelissawas born in 1968, Rivers continued her winning streak in the 1970s with appearances on popular programs includingThe Carol Burnett ShowandHollywood Squares.
Still, Rivers always put family first. “Mom and Dad would fly in from wherever for even minor school events,” Melissarecalled to PEOPLEin 1993. Added Joan: “I was even a Brownie troop mother. Now that was a picture.”
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Everett
Rivers herself had always been open about her own nips-and-tucks over the years. “I thinned my nose and raised the tip, had my eyes done, a full face-lift, liposuction, breast reduction, chin tucks, Botox, collagen … I’m sure I’ve spent at least $80,000 over the years,” shetold PEOPLEin 2009.
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A Great Honor
Joseph Del Valle/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
For two decades, Rivers made frequent appearances onThe Tonight Showand considered Johnny Carson her mentor. In 1983, the comic (here withBetty White) was named his permanent guest host, the first time such a distinction was given to another entertainer.
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Writing Success
The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty
Rivers' career continued to climb through the 1980s. Her Carnegie Hall debut sold out in two days, her comedy album,What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most?, earned a Grammy nomination in 1983, and three years later, she wrote a best-selling autobiography,Enter Talking.
08of 16Host with the MostGalbraith/APHer popularity onThe Tonight Showmade her a natural choice to helm her own late-night program, which Fox — then a fledgling network — hired her to do in 1986 (here, she’s shown with the show’s first guests,Elton John,CherandPee-wee Herman).The decision didn’t sit well with Carson, who was livid that Rivers hadn’t consulted him and would be competing against him. Despite Rivers' reported overtures to make peace, Carson banned her from his show, and the two never spoke again.
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Host with the Most
Galbraith/AP
Her popularity onThe Tonight Showmade her a natural choice to helm her own late-night program, which Fox — then a fledgling network — hired her to do in 1986 (here, she’s shown with the show’s first guests,Elton John,CherandPee-wee Herman).
The decision didn’t sit well with Carson, who was livid that Rivers hadn’t consulted him and would be competing against him. Despite Rivers' reported overtures to make peace, Carson banned her from his show, and the two never spoke again.
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Tragedy Strikes
10of 16Life Goes OnThe LIFE Picture Collection/GettyAfter her husband’s death, Rivers moved from L.A. to New York to start over. In 1989 she hosted a syndicated daytime talk show, which ran for four seasons and won a Daytime Emmy Award. In 1990 she launched an eponymous jewelry line for QVC, which was a best seller from its inception. And then in 1994, she returned to the stage in Broadway’sSally Marr…and Her Escorts, a play she co-wrote and for which she received a best actress Tony nomination.
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Life Goes On
After her husband’s death, Rivers moved from L.A. to New York to start over. In 1989 she hosted a syndicated daytime talk show, which ran for four seasons and won a Daytime Emmy Award. In 1990 she launched an eponymous jewelry line for QVC, which was a best seller from its inception. And then in 1994, she returned to the stage in Broadway’sSally Marr…and Her Escorts, a play she co-wrote and for which she received a best actress Tony nomination.
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Red Carpet Roasting
Ron Galella, Ltd./Wireimage
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Working Girl
Ali Goldstein/NBC
In 2009, Rivers joinedDonald Trump’sCelebrity Apprentice, where she and Melissa competed againstKhloé KardashianandDennis Rodman, among others. In the finale, Rivers bested poker player Annie Duke for the win.
13of 16Movie MagicEverettIn 2010, Rivers debuted a documentary,Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, at the San Francisco International Film Festival. The movie, which was met with critical praise, followed the then-76-year-old star for 14 months, showcasing her stand-up and daily life.
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Movie Magic
In 2010, Rivers debuted a documentary,Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, at the San Francisco International Film Festival. The movie, which was met with critical praise, followed the then-76-year-old star for 14 months, showcasing her stand-up and daily life.
14of 16Getting RealRick Rowell/ABC/GettyFor her 2011 WE tv reality show,Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?, Rivers moved to California to bunk with her daughter and grandson,Cooper(shown here in a promo forCelebrity Wife Swap). Viewers got to see the comedienne in rare form as she went about her daily life, forcing herself into Melissa’s business much to her chagrin.
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Getting Real
Rick Rowell/ABC/Getty
For her 2011 WE tv reality show,Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?, Rivers moved to California to bunk with her daughter and grandson,Cooper(shown here in a promo forCelebrity Wife Swap). Viewers got to see the comedienne in rare form as she went about her daily life, forcing herself into Melissa’s business much to her chagrin.
15of 16Airing Her OpinionBrian Bowen Smith/E!Rivers found a new place to get laughs in 2010 on the E! hitFashion Police, where she and a panel of pros, including reality starKelly Osbourne, E!‘sGiuliana Rancicand George Kotsiopoulos, critiqued celebrities’ wardrobe choices.
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Airing Her Opinion
Brian Bowen Smith/E!
Rivers found a new place to get laughs in 2010 on the E! hitFashion Police, where she and a panel of pros, including reality starKelly Osbourne, E!‘sGiuliana Rancicand George Kotsiopoulos, critiqued celebrities’ wardrobe choices.
16of 16Her ‘Tonight’ ReturnNathaniel Chadwick/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyIn a bittersweet homecoming, Rivers returned toThe Tonight Showon Feb. 17, 2014 (new host Jimmy Fallon’s first night), 28 years after her famous feud and 49 years to the day of her first appearance on Carson’s show. She sat down for a chat a month later, in March 2014. “Being in the studio brought back the most wonderful, wonderful memories of the night that jump-started my career,” Rivers said.She died on Sept. 4, 2014, at age 81, following complications from surgery.
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Her ‘Tonight’ Return
Nathaniel Chadwick/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
In a bittersweet homecoming, Rivers returned toThe Tonight Showon Feb. 17, 2014 (new host Jimmy Fallon’s first night), 28 years after her famous feud and 49 years to the day of her first appearance on Carson’s show. She sat down for a chat a month later, in March 2014. “Being in the studio brought back the most wonderful, wonderful memories of the night that jump-started my career,” Rivers said.
She died on Sept. 4, 2014, at age 81, following complications from surgery.
source: people.com
