Joan Rivers, comedian and television host, died of cardiac arrest on September 4, after being in a medically induced coma for seven days. Rivers was infamous in the entertainment industry for her raspy voice, sharp wit and surgically enhanced face. She was best known for her stand-up comedy and red carpet interviews, where she was notoriously harsh judging the latest fashion.
In the last decades of her life Rivers was mostly known for her controversial commentary about the celebrity scene, but she got her start in 1965, on The Tonight Show. Alongside her mentor Johnny Carson, Rivers rose to fame with her sharp wit by cracking jokes at the expense of big-name celebrities. This proved to be a springboard to success; Rivers was the first woman to host a late night talk show on network television. This led to several daytime television shows and even movies and Broadway shows.
Though her public face was outspoken and often criticized, Rivers devoted a slightly more private part of her life to philanthropy. She was an enormous supporter of HIV/AIDS activism, participating in many benefits and events. The city of San Diego even commended her on her work for the cause, calling her their “Joan of Arc.”
Additionally, Joan Rivers is the author of 12 books, including several self-help books. In her book Bouncing Back, she describes how she suffered from bulimia, but recovered after seeking counseling. “I’ve survived everything!” the book claims, “And you can too!”
PV students are lamenting the loss of this charismatic TV star. “As Michael Jackson was the king of pop, Joan Rivers was the queen of humor,” said junior Alison Diaz. “Humor will never be the same without her.”
This week we all mourn the passing of this remarkable woman, who left an indelible mark on the world she left behind.
