Joan Alexandra Molinsky

Joan Rivers (June 8, 1933 - September 4, 2014), born Joan Alexandra Molinsky, was an American comedian, actress, producer, writer and television host. She was noted for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona that was heavily self-deprecating and acerbic, especially towards celebrities and politicians, delivered in her signature New York accent. She is considered a pioneer of women in comedy, and received an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award, as well as a nomination for a Tony Award.

Rivers started her career in comedy clubs in Greenwich Village alongside peers George Carlin, Woody Allen and Richard Pryor, and rose to prominence in 1965 as a guest on The Tonight Show, hosted by her mentor Johnny Carson. In 1986, with her own rival program, The Late Show with Joan Rivers, she became the first woman to host a late night network television talk show. She subsequently hosted The Joan Rivers Show (1989-1993), winning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host, and from the mid-1990s became known for her red carpet awards-show celebrity interviews.

Born in Brooklyn to Russian Jewish immigrants, she attended Connecticut College before transferring to Barnard College, where she graduated in 1954 with a B.A. in English literature and anthropology. She co-hosted the E! show Fashion Police from 2010 to 2014 and starred in the reality series Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? with daughter Melissa Rivers. In 2009 she won the second season of The Celebrity Apprentice, and in 2017 Rolling Stone ranked her sixth on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.