Comedian Joan Rivers dead at 81

(Update)
The death of a controversial comic legend. 81-year old Joan Rivers died this afternoon — one week after being admitted to hospital. Before today, Melissa Rivers said her mother was “being kept comfortable” in a private room — something many families have experienced. Rivers was admitted after going into cardiac arrest during an outpatient procedure on her vocal chords last Thursday. And the New York State Health Department says it’s investigating the circumstances. But tonight — many are focused on remembering the star, some with tears — others with laughter.

The 81-year-old comedian was best known for her quick wit and sharp tongue often saying exactly what was one her mind, regardless of what others thought. And whether a person was a fan of her brand of humour, I think most would agree that Joan Rivers was a comedy legend.

“It got stuck, it wouldn’t move for 2 1/2 hours. And I’m thinking, you know, the Germans killed 6 million Jews, you can’t fix a *bleep* carberetor?”

Joan Rivers was never one to shy away from controversial material in her jokes. But the comedian’s bold and brash humour brought her to the top of her industry, making her the first woman to host her own late-night talk show back in 1986. And when dealing with those who didn’t always see eye to eye with her, like one heckler who didn’t agree with a Helen Keller joke, Rivers had this to say: “If we didn’t laugh, where the hell would we all be? Think about that.”

A tough lady in what was a predominantly male field, Rivers was a groundbreaking comedian. She lived life in the spotlight till the very end, hosting a fashion show and starring in a reality show with her daughter Melissa.

She even made a few stops in Hamilton along the way. The one-time General Manager of the former Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (HECFI) remembering his encounter with the legend when asking if there was anything he could do for her.

Gabe Macaluso, Former G.M. Of HECFI: “She said here’s the dog leash, he needs to go for a walk. Caught me off guard, but next thing you know I’m walking this dog and she says by the way he needs to be walked three times a day while he’s over here, while I’m sound checking. I said no problem. And what was beautiful was some time later she sent me a note, a written note, thanking me.”

Rivers passed away from throat surgery complications at the age of 81. Though arguably she didn’t look her age, given all the cosmetic procedures she had done, another subject she didn’t shy away from. a woman, who was very memorable to many.

“Joan Rivers was Joan Rivers. She was colourful, she said what she meant and she wasn’t afraid to say it, sad for the family, just another icon we lost this year.”

“She was always pretty controversial and outspoken, but she was great, I didn’t know that. It’s sad, two comedians dying of that stature over the past few weeks, it’s really, really, sad.”

Fellow comedian, Robin Williams passed away less than a month before Rivers. When asked about death, she said it didn’t faze her: “My father was a doctor so I was around death all my life. I was used to it because he’s a *bleep* doctor!”

Whether she made you cringe or laugh till you cried, Joan Rivers was a woman who had a way with words. Even world leaders are commenting on the death of Joan Rivers.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird posted a picture of the two of them and wrote: “Sad to hear about Joan Rivers. Nice memory of meeting her with my mother. Melissa & family are in our thoughts & prayers.”