'Pioneer' Joan Rivers Hailed by DeGeneres, Gervais, Kimmel, and Other Comedic Giants
Twitter is filled with more tears than laughter today as many of Hollywood's funniest stars remember Joan Rivers.
The 81-year-old Fashion Police host passed away on Thursday at 1:17 p.m. ET after suffering cardiac arrest during a throat procedure on Aug. 28 and remaining in a medically-induced coma until her death.
[Related: Joan Rivers's Most Memorable TV Appearances]
"My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh," Joan's daughter, Melissa Rivers, noted in a statement. "Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."
Her fans — famous and otherwise — are certainly taking a moment to mourn though. And many are sharing their thoughts and memories on Twitter and Instagram.
Joan Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I’m very sad she’s gone. pic.twitter.com/i1uE9fyHMh
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 4, 2014
I'm so sad 2 hear tht Joan Rivers passed away 2day :( A pioneer in women's comedy & a survivor w a capital S! Thank U Joan 4all th laughs <3
— Fran Drescher (@frandrescher) September 4, 2014
Very sad to learn about Joan Rivers, a pioneer for women in comedy.
— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) September 4, 2014
"Here's a woman, a real pioneer for other women looking for careers in stand-up comedy," David Letterman said during his show's taping Thursday. "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."
So funny and irrepressible. Rest in peace, Joan Rivers.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) September 4, 2014
My friend Joan Rivers has passed away once again to quote Billy Crystal... There are no words. Bon Voyage Joan
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) September 4, 2014
RIP the mighty Joan Rivers. Funny & fearless. Truly one of a kind.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) September 4, 2014
I love you with all my heart @Joan_Rivers my life will never be the same with out you! https://t.co/0kn2FFZDF9 pic.twitter.com/zQnXlwepXh
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers was a huge presence in American comedy forever. She was one of a kind and will be a great loss to all who loved humor. R.I.P.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) September 4, 2014
A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon, and wildly funny. One of a kind. RIP #JoanRivers @joan_rivers pic.twitter.com/jnAC5G4AQo
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) September 4, 2014
we lost a great one in @Joan_Rivers - she was funny all the way to the end
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan Rivers. A force of nature.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) September 4, 2014
It was Joan Rivers that put me on the TONIGHT SHOW first! And it was HER Apprentice victory, that motivated me to give it one hundred! #icon
— Arsenio Hall (@ArsenioHall) September 4, 2014
RIP to the woman who believed in my show when very few did. I love you @Joan_Rivers. Stay strong @MelRivers. http://t.co/dbJwUowDQ3
— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) September 4, 2014
"No one loved life, laughter, and a good time more than Joan," Barbara Walters said in a statement. "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."
"Joan Rivers was not only a dear friend, but one of the kindest and funniest people I ever knew," former first lady Nancy Reagan said in a statement. "I doubt there's anyone who hasn't laughed at her or with her until they cried. Today our tears are those of sadness. I know I join millions in saying, 'Thanks for the good times Joan, we will truly miss you.' My love and deepest sympathy go to Melissa and Cooper."
Rest in peace @Joan_Rivers. Thank you for changing my life. I will miss you so much.
— George Kotsiopoulos (@GeorgeKotsi) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers has died. What a sad ending to a brilliant and tragi-comic life; one of the bravest, and funniest of all.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) September 4, 2014
We'd fuss but love was there. Cant believe ur gone. Love to your family. You were iconic and trailblazing. RIP Joan pic.twitter.com/hV7fH03gfw
— Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan Rivers... You made fun of my boobies just last week and it was an HONOR. Thanks for making so many people laugh here on Earth.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 4, 2014
Sad day today hearing about the passing of the legendary Joan Rivers. The world is much less funny now. She was an inspiration.
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) September 4, 2014
.@Joan_Rivers was a dear & wonderful friend who I've known for 45yrs. Great guest, pal, comedian & mother. We will never see her likes again
— Larry King (@kingsthings) September 4, 2014
My heart is torn in half.She wasn't done.#Joan http://t.co/XH87wAT4Mb
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan Rivers. Being publicly told that my dress is hideous will never feel quite as awesome. You will be truly missed.
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) September 4, 2014
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.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 4, 2014
[Related: Stars Share Their Photo Memories With Joan Rivers]
Joan Rivers @Joan_Rivers was an amazing woman and a great friend. Her energy and talent were boundless. She will be greatly missed.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2014
Every time Joan was @TODAYshow , 2 things happened. Uncontrollable laughs and something so wrong, it was right. Hard to believe she's gone
— Al Roker (@alroker) September 4, 2014
So sad about dear friend Joan Rivers. Her spunk &good humor made the world a happier place. heartfelt condolences to Melissa&grandson Cooper
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) September 4, 2014
@Joan_Rivers Godspeed my sweet. Thanks for all the laughs. Thanks for all the love. I miss you already.
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) September 4, 2014
I'll miss my good friend & fellow Barnard grad Joan Rivers-Greatly admired her comedic genius. Pls remember her w/ me http://t.co/VILWl7ZGUE
— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan Rivers. Watch A Piece Of Work if you haven't already. And bless @jimmyfallon for lifting her Tonight Show ban while she was alive.
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) September 4, 2014
.@MelRivers my heart goes out to you& your family at the loss of your mother. @Joan_Rivers showed us women could be unapologetically funny.
— Rita Wilson (@RitaWilson) September 4, 2014
Terrible news about Joan Rivers. I was lucky enough to meet her a few months ago. She was still as comedically relevant as anyone.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 4, 2014
RIP Joan Rivers. Fearless & amazing. Here's a clip from her great documentary where she DESTROYS a heckler: http://t.co/mO0u25Y6HN
— Aziz Ansari (@azizansari) September 4, 2014
She was a comedic genius and she will be missed. I'm honored to be able to call her my friend #RipJoanRivers
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) September 4, 2014
"I feel very lucky that I knew Joan Rivers and I feel very sad that she's gone," Louis C.K. said in a statement. "She was a great comedian and a wonderful person. I never saw someone attack a stage with so much energy. She was a controlled lightning bolt. She was a prolific and unpredictable, joyful joke writer. She loved comedy. She loved the audience. She was a great actress and should have done that more. She loved living and working. She was kind. She was real. She was brave. She was funny and you just wanted to be around her. I looked up to her. I learned from her. I loved her. I liked her. And I already miss her very much. It really f---ing sucks that she had to die all of a sudden."
Watching Joan Rivers do standup at age 81 was incredible: athletic, jaw-dropping, terrifying, essential. It never stopped. Neither will she.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 4, 2014
Joan Rivers was one of our Greats.She gave her all and will be missed. I am very sad and my Heart goes out to her Family.
— Andrew Dice Clay (@TheRealDiceClay) September 4, 2014
Rest in peace, Joan. You were a real pioneer. Love to @MelRivers and her grandson & all her friends and family.
— Busy Philipps (@Busyphilipps25) September 4, 2014
Can we talk...about how much this sucks? Thanks for paving the way for the "funny broads". #RIPJoanRivers
— Wendi McLendon-Covey (@wendimclendonco) September 4, 2014
And in addition to being a trailblazer the great Joan always smelled good.Thanks for taking my challenge. I still owe you one. RIP x,sj
— Sarah Jessica Parker (@SJP) September 4, 2014