Joan Rivers, known for her sharp wit and controversial humor, has left an enduring mark on the comedy world. Even after her passing on September 4, 2014, due to a heart attack during a medical procedure at age 81, her influence persists. Rivers continues to impact the careers of female comedians such as Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, and Wanda Sykes. Aubrey Plaza has called her ‘the most badass female comedian there ever was.’
Rivers’ career, much like Rodney Dangerfield’s, experienced ups and downs as a result of later-life controversies. However, her standing among the best comedians is solidified by Rolling Stone’s 2017 list of the 50 greatest stand-up comics of all time, where Rivers placed sixth.
Early Life and Career
Born on June 8, 1933, as Joan Alexandra Molinsky in Brooklyn, New York, Rivers was the daughter of a doctor and his wife. She pursued her education at Connecticut College before moving to Manhattan to chase her dreams of being a serious actress. Finding herself in comedy, she performed at various nightclubs and even tried her hand at her parents’ country club, resulting in a poorly received show.
Seeking better opportunities, Rivers moved to Manhattan and lived with a boyfriend before returning home. By 1961, she joined the cast of Second City, a key moment she would later recognize as the birth of her comedy career.
Rise to Fame
Rivers soon became part of the comic scene at The Duplex, a Greenwich Village club. Despite the rarity of female comedians, Rivers worked persistently, collaborating with other stars like Dick Cavett, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, and Rodney Dangerfield, sometimes paying Dangerfield to write jokes for her. She also coined her famous line, ‘Can we talk?’
Lenny Bruce offered her encouragement after a challenging performance, showing confidence in her talent. Her big break came when Johnny Carson invited her for a segment on the ‘Tonight Show’ on February 17, 1965. Carson’s remark, ‘God, you’re funny. You are going to be a star,’ turned her career around instantaneously.
Challenges and Triumphs
Rivers became Carson’s permanent guest host in the 1980s and was considered his successor. However, when FOX offered her a late-night show of her own, ‘The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers,’ it fractured her relationship with Carson. The show lasted only seven months but was groundbreaking, as it marked the first time a woman hosted a late-night network television show.
Tragedy struck when her husband, Edgar Rosenberg, committed suicide following the show’s cancellation. Rivers faced substantial financial debt due to poor investments. She did not give up, though. Rivers reinvented herself, working tirelessly through her later years, achieving cultural icon status, creating the concept of red carpet pre-shows, hosting ‘Fashion Police,’ and participating in numerous successful ventures.
Legacy
Rivers was banned from the ‘Tonight Show’ by Carson, and the ban lasted through the tenures of Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien. Jimmy Fallon ended this ban, allowing Rivers to return six months before her death, showcasing her enduring ability to connect with audiences.
Rivers’ audacious humor paved the way for future generations of female comics, like Sarah Silverman. Her boundary-pushing comedy regarding taboo topics set the stage for broader acceptance of diverse voices in comedy.