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Joan Rivers

Birth Place: USA

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BIO

Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, 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. She received an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award, as well as nomination for a Tony Award.



Rivers started her career in comedy clubs in Greenwich Village alongside her peers George Carlin, Woody Allen, and Richard Pryor. She then rose to prominence in 1965 as a guest on The Tonight Show. Hosted by her mentor, Johnny Carson, the show established Rivers's comedic style. In 1986, with her own rival program, The Late Show with Joan Rivers, Rivers 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. From the mid-1990s, she became known for her comedic red carpet awards show celebrity interviews. Rivers co-hosted the E! celebrity fashion show Fashion Police from 2010 to 2014 and starred in the reality series Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? (2011–2014) with daughter Melissa Rivers.

In addition to marketing a line of jewelry and apparel on the QVC shopping channel, Rivers authored 12 best-selling books and three LP comedy albums under her own name: Mr. Phyllis and Other Funny Stories (Warner Bros 1965), The Next to Last Joan Rivers Album (Buddah 1969), and What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most? (Geffen 1983). She was nominated in 1984 for a Grammy Award for her album What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most? and was nominated in 1994 for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance of the title role in Sally Marr ... and Her Escorts. In 2009, Rivers competed alongside her daughter Melissa on the second season of The Celebrity Apprentice, ultimately winning the season. In 2015, Rivers posthumously received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her book, Diary of a Mad Diva.

In 1968, The New York Times television critic Jack Gould called Rivers "quite possibly the most intuitively funny woman alive". In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her sixth on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time, and in October the same year, she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. She is the subject of the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1994
Sally Marr


[Broadway]
1986
Kate [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
1972
Jill Fairchild


Writing

Playwright

Movies

The Swimmer
[ 1968 ] Joan
Rabbit Test
[ 1978 ] Second Nurse
Uncle Scam
[ 1981 ] Joan Rivers
The Muppets Take Manhattan
[ 1984 ] Perfume Saleswoman
Spaceballs
[ 1987 ] Dot Matrix
Public Enemy #2
[ 1991 ] Joan Rivers
Serial Mom
[ 1994 ] Joan Rivers
Napoleon
[ 1995 ] Mother Penguin
Goosed
[ 1999 ] Mom, Blanche
Intern
[ 2000 ] Dolly Bellows
Whispers: An Elephant's Tale
[ 2000 ] Spike
Hip! Edgy! Quirky!
[ 2002 ] Floressa
First Daughter
[ 2004 ] Joan Rivers
Shrek 2
[ 2004 ] Joan Rivers
The Hipsters
[ 2009 ] Floressa Malone
The Smurfs
[ 2011 ] Party Guest
Iron Man 3
[ 2013 ] Joan Rivers

TV Shows

Nip/Tuck
Joan Rivers
Spaceballs: The Animated Series
Dot Matrix
Suddenly Susan
Edie

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Joan Rivers, Sally Marr...and Her Escorts

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Joan Rivers , Sally Marr...and Her Escorts

Videos

News


Michelle DellaFave Comes to Don't Tell Mama
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025

A legendary entertainer comes to a legendary New York nightspot in June, when Michelle DellaFave performs “Diggin' Life – Songs and Stories of a Former Golddigger.”  
CAPA to Present The Second City 65th Anniversary Show At Southern Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025

CAPA will present The Second City live on the Southern Theatre stage. The Second City is celebrating 65 years of legendary laughs! Showcasing some of the audience's favorite songs, sketches, and characters. Learn more!
Photos: Behind the Scenes at the Laurie Beechman Theatre Re-Opening Renaissance Gala
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 17, 2025

The Laurie Beechman Theatre just celebrated its reopening at the Renaissance Gala. Special guests included: Ariana DeBose, Andrea McArdle, Chip Zien, Matt Doyle, and more. Check out photos here!
Photos: RAINBOW CABARET Launches as Part of Playhouse Series at the Modern Showrooms
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2025

The Pegasus Showroom at Alexis Park Resort took place on Thursday, April 10th, as Rainbow Cabaret delivered an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and legendary glamor. Learn more!
Rhonda Hansome To Perform At TALE Storytelling Show At KGB Bar Red Room
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2025

Actor/playwright/storyteller Rhonda 'Passion' Hansome will be among the performers featured at TALE on Friday, April 25 at the Red Room @ KGB Bar in Manhattan.
Video: Ariana DeBose, Andrea McArdle, and More at the Laurie Beechman Theatre Renaissance Gala
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2025

The Laurie Beechman Theatre celebrated its reopening last night, April 14, at the Renaissance Gala. Check out video clips from the evening and learn more here! 
Ariana DeBose, Lorna Luft, and More Join Laurie Beechman Theatre Reopening Event
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2025

Additional performers including Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, Tony Award nominee Andrea McArdle, Lorna Luft, and Nina West, have been added to the lineup for Renaissance Gala.
Matt Doyle Brings BON VOYAGE! to The Beechman Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Apr 8, 2025

The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue its star-studded renaissance with a farewell event you won’t want to miss: Tony Award winner Matt Doyle takes the stage for three performances only in Matt Doyle: Bon Voyage.
NBC to Honor Joan Rivers with All-Star Comedy Tribute Special
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 3, 2025

NBC will celebrate comedy legend Joan Rivers with Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute on Tuesday, May 13. The comedy special will feature today’s biggest comedians as they pay homage to Rivers’ razor-sharp humor and impact on pop culture.
André De Shields, Lillias White and More to Reopen the Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2025

Tom D’Angora and Michael D'Angora, producers and owners of the West Bank Café, will present the official Renaissance Gala, marking the reopening of the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Learn more and see how to attend.
RAINBOW CABARET Brings Liza, Judy & Joan To Life At The Modern Showrooms
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 26, 2025

After a successful kickoff with Jordan von Haslow's triple BroadwayWorld Award-nominated production, 'Happy Birthday, Nat 'King' Cole,' the Playhouse Series at The Modern Showrooms at Alexis Park continues with a one-night-only performance of Rainbow Cabaret on Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 PM.
Interview: Amy Veltman on Solo Show PSA: PELVIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT at Caveat
by Brett Singer - Mar 22, 2025

Amy Veltman is a hilarious stand-up comic and actress who has written a one-person show called PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement. The one-woman show plays at Caveat before a longer run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Stand-Up Comedy Nights Continue at Florida Rep on Select Fridays
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

Upcoming comedy events at Florida Rep will feature Ron Feingold on April 4, Carl Guerra on April 11, Mark Evans on April 18, and Tim Boyd on April 25. Learn more here!
David Rockwell Will Renovate the Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

Tony Award winner, architect and designer, David Rockwell will lead the renovation of the Laurie Beechman Theatre. The work is set to be completed by Spring 2025. 
Definitive Documentary of Comic Book Artist Jack Kirby in Development
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 6, 2025

Ricki Stern is set to direct “Kirbyvision” – a feature length documentary telling the complete and fascinating story of legendary artist, storyteller, and creator, Jack Kirby.
Interview: Cheryl Stern of FUNNY GIRL at Bass Concert Hall
by Joni Lorraine - Feb 27, 2025

Cheryl Stern is a powerhouse performer and storyteller with an incredible career spanning Broadway, national tours, TV, and beyond. Next week, she'll be in town with the National Tour of FUNNY GIRL, playing Mrs. Strakosh and stepping into the role of Fanny Brice at select performances. 
M. Can Yasar to Present TURKISH RHAPSODY at Don't Tell Mama
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 20, 2025

Using an eclectic selection of music, Yasar will tells the story of a Turkish-immigrant in search of love, identity, and belonging in America at Don't Tell Mama. Learn more about the upcoming performance and see how to purchase tickets.
The Bagelmania Backroom Comedy Night Returns This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 19, 2025

Continuing to welcome sold out audiences, Las Vegas' iconic Jewish delicatessen Siegel's Bagelmania will hold the next monthly installment of its popular comedy event, The Bagelmania Backroom on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Joan Rivers Play, COME FROM AWAY, ANASTASIA & More Set for Cape Playhouse 2025 Summer Season
by Joshua Wright - Feb 18, 2025

Discover the Cape Playhouse's 2025 'Season of Hope,' featuring productions like BUDDY, RENT, ANASTASIA, and more. The season will run June 4 to September 20 at the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA.
Comic Rhonda Hansome Hosts LAUGHS LIKELY! at The Black Women in Comedy LaffFest
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2025

Actor / comedian Rhonda 'Passion' Hansome will again host the 'Laughs Likely!' live comedy showcase at The Grisly Pear Midtown as part of the Sixth Annual Black Women in Comedy LaffFest in New York City.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Joan Rivers been in?

Joan Rivers has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Joan Rivers been in?

Joan Rivers has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Joan Rivers been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sally Marr...and Her Escorts and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Sally Marr...and Her Escorts.

How many shows has Joan Rivers written?

Joan Rivers has written 2 shows including Fun City (Playwright), Sally Marr...and her escorts (Playwright).

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Videos