|
 Fellow comedians, actors and prominent figures paid tribute
to Rivers:
- Melissa Rivers in a statement announcing her mother's death:
"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."
- Statement from television network E!, which aired Rivers'
"Fashion Police" show, and parent company NBCUniversal: "For
decades Joan has made people laugh, shattered glass ceilings and
revolutionized comedy. She was unapologetic and fiercely
dedicated to entertaining all of us and has left an indelible
mark on the people that worked with her and on her legions of
fans."
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement:
"Joan Rivers brought laughter to millions around the world and
was proud of her Jewish heritage and a vocal supporter of the
State of Israel. We will miss her deeply and we send our
heartfelt condolences to her family."
- TV journalist Barbara Walters said in a statement: "No one
loved life, laughter and a good time more than Joan. We would
have dinner and laugh and gossip and I always left the table
smiling. She was a brassy, often outrageous and hilarious
performer who made millions laugh. In private, she was the
picture of elegance and class. I will miss her."
- Actress and singer Liza Minnelli said on Facebook: "Joan
Rivers was my dear friend and I will miss her but I will always
remember the laughter and friendship she brought into my life."
- David Letterman, from Thursday's taping of his CBS "Late
Night" talk show:
"Here’s a woman, a real pioneer for other women looking for
careers in stand-up comedy. And talk about guts – she would come
out here and sit in this chair and say some things that were
unbelievable, just where you would have to swallow pretty hard
…but it was hilarious… the force of her comedy was
overpowering."
- Real estate mogul Donald Trump, whose "Celebrity Apprentice"
reality TV show Rivers won in 2009, on Twitter said Rivers "was
an amazing woman and a great friend. Her energy and talent were
boundless. She will be greatly missed."
- Comedian Louis C.K. said in a statement: "I never saw someone
attack a stage with so much energy. She was a controlled
lightning bolt."
[to top of second column] |
- Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres said on Twitter: "Joan
Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of
comedians. I'm very sad she's gone."
- Kelly Osbourne, "Fashion Police" co-host, on Facebook:
"I'm completely heartbroken by the loss of my beloved Joan. Not only
was she my boss, she was and will always be my teacher, therapist,
closest friend, inspiration and the only grandmother I ever knew ...
I will miss you deeply and will always hear your voice in my head
saying ‘my darling get out there and be you!’"
- George Kotsiopoulos, "Fashion Police" co-host, on Twitter: "Thank
you for changing my life. I will miss you so much."
- Actress and singer Bette Midler said on Twitter: "Joan Rivers has
died. What a sad ending to a brilliant and tragi-comic life; one of
the bravest, and funniest of all."
- Comedian Sarah Silverman said on Twitter: "My heart is torn in
half. She wasn't done."
- Comedian Billy Eichner said on Twitter: "Too much to say. A
constant source of encouragement for me years before anyone else
gave a damn. A full and fabulous life. Love you, Joan."
- Comedian and talk show host Seth Meyers said on Twitter: "RIP Joan
Rivers. A force of nature."
- Actress Anna Kendrick said on Twitter: "RIP Joan Rivers. Being
publicly told that my dress is hideous will never feel quite as
awesome. You will be truly missed."
- Actress Lena Dunham said on Twitter: "Watching Joan Rivers do
stand-up at age 81 was incredible: athletic, jaw-dropping,
terrifying, essential. It never stopped. Neither will she."
(Reporting by Eric Kelsey and Piya Sinha-Roy in Los Angeles;
Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by
Jonathan Oatis and Ken Wills)
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