It’s a sad, sad time for the entertainment industry as a whole as we bid farewell to one of the greatest comediennes of our time – Joan Rivers. While her career spanned many decades, Joan will always be remembered for her role on Fashion Police where she has said some crude and hilarious things about other celebrities and, of course, the fashion they wear.
Though making jokes was her job, Joan was actually a rather sweet woman. When I interviewed her earlier this year in Los Angeles, she told me that often she would go over her script and scrap jokes because she thought a celebrity would get offended by it. Sure, some celebrities didn’t like her, but she knew she was just doing her job – and that’s making people laugh.
Joan passed away at the age of 81 after complications arose while she was having surgery on her vocal chords. Late this evening, her daughter Melissa released a statement confirming her mother’s death.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers,” Melissa said in her statement. “She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother. Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated. 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.”
The news shocked the world and even had our local celebrities talking. This is what they had to say:
BAIE BAIE BAIE HARTSEER nuus vir my. Joan Rivers vanaand oorlede. #RIPJoanRivers pic.twitter.com/AtlLOJiZtS
— Willem Botha (@WillemBotha) September 4, 2014
Rest in peace Jone Rivers 🙁
— Carol Ralefeta (@CarolRalefeta) September 4, 2014
#RIP Joan….
— Lee-Ann Liebenberg (@LeeAnn_L) September 4, 2014
Awwww noooo 🙁 RIP Joan Rivers….
— Lakota Silva (@LakotaSilva) September 4, 2014
In NYC & everyone's talking about #JoanRivers death – was fortunate to have met you & we will miss you @Joan_Rivers pic.twitter.com/30EeCx6tvd
— Jennifer Su (Jen Su) (@jennifer_su) September 4, 2014
I never thought the day would come but RIP Joan Rivers, what a legend!. pic.twitter.com/XC4O2BOgES
— Anne Hirsch (@Anne_Hirsch) September 4, 2014
Two of the best! #robinwilliams #JoanRivers pic.twitter.com/NOe1MqNS4Q
— Dewald Louw (@DewaldLouw) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan pic.twitter.com/YiSascsHOF
— leratokganyago (@leratokganyago) September 4, 2014
Wow, can't believe the news… So freaky that she joked about her simple procedure… I will miss her brutal honesty! RIP Joan Rivers…
— Carly Fields (@carlysfields) September 4, 2014
An equal opportunity offender, #JoanRivers would've had something snide to say even about her own death. RIP Joan. Condolences to her family
— Ursula Chikane ن (@UrsulaChikane) September 4, 2014
I really thought she was going to pull through this one. R.I.P Joan Rivers, you mean old bitch. We love you, thank you for making us laugh!
— Nick Hamman (@Nick_Hamman) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan Rivers, what a fast and smart and dirty mouth but always loving and caring to those who knew her, she will be missed. #JoanRivers
— Jeannie D (@Jeannieous) September 4, 2014
Oh no, Joan Rivers has died. What a loss. Very sad.
— Gareth Cliff (@GarethCliff) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers gave us presenters the best line on the red carpet: "Who are you wearing?" #RIPJoanRivers
— Roxy Burger (@roxyburger) September 5, 2014
My best Joan Rivers quote has to be: "If you have nothing nice to say about anyone, come sit by me". I'm actually sad about her death 🙁
— Lee-Roy Wright (@LeeRoyWright) September 5, 2014
She was the queen of self deprication. She changed the #RedCarpet interview forever with the phrase… http://t.co/5nha4S9Cs6
— Zuraida Jardine (@ZuraidaJardine) September 5, 2014
Feel free to comment, share or tweet @ElBroide
