JOAN RIVERS is a force of nature—and one of the hardest working celebrities in the world–comedienne, bestselling author, Tony-nominated actress, playwright, screenwriter, motion picture director, columnist, lecturer, syndicated radio host, Emmy Award-winning television talk-show host, jewelry designer, red-carpet fashion laureate, businesswoman and, most importantly to her, mother and grandmother.
The daughter of immigrant Russian parents, Joan created her own brand of irreverent, unconventional comedy to forge her remarkable rise to stardom in the entertainment world. Enduring humiliation and privation for nearly a decade playing tawdry clubs, Borscht Belt hotels, and Greenwich Village cabarets (“I was insanely persistent,” she says), Joan’s career skyrocketed in 1965 when she appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. Within three years she was hosting “That Show With Joan Rivers,” one of the first syndicated daytime shows, and went on to become the first sole guest host of “The Tonight Show.” Her own “Late Show with Joan Rivers” was launched in 1986, and in 1989 she returned to TV with “The Joan Rivers Show,” winning an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host the following year–and her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Using her unique gifts of humor, compassion and tenacity has enabled Joan to triumph over personal tragedy and attain extraordinary professional success. In a brilliant teaming with QVC in 1990, she launched her sensational fashion jewelry line, the Joan Rivers Classics Collection, winning an ACE award from the Accessories Council in 1997 and achieving unprecedented–and continuing–success with record-breaking 500 million dollars plus in sales.
One of the most naturally style-savvy women on the planet, consistently appearing on Best Dressed lists around the world, Joan, along with daughter Melissa, hosted E!’s red-carpet events from 1996-2004 when they signed a long-term contract with the TV Guide Channel, where they will continue their “must see” red-carpet coverage as well as developing original programming and participating in the Channel’s original specials and series.
A pre-eminent connoisseur of fine art, antiques and vintage jewelry, Joan keeps her finger on the pulse of all the latest trends and is widely considered America’s most visible, accessible and authoritative fashion spokesperson. Her firm belief that when women look their best they can be their best inspired her most recent partnering with QVC to launch Joan Rivers Beauty, a continually expanding line that encompasses her uniquely formulated Joan Rivers Results Skin Care products, color cosmetics and luxury fragrances, Now & Forever and Pink Flowers Eau de Parfum.
While continuing to headline at prestigious concert venues worldwide, Joan is always working on new projects. In April 2002, she brought her critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival one-woman show, “Broke and Alone,” to London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket, receiving critical raves and the first standing ovation at the Theatre in fourteen years. Joan then took the show to the State Theatres in Sydney and Melbourne where it received similar critical and audience response. Subsequent performances, including a week at the Canon Theatre in Los Angeles, have all garnered “hottest ticket in town” status.
From her signature question, “Can we talk?” (officially a Federal trademark), to her red-carpet mantra, “Who are you wearing?”, the woman who asks the questions gets the answers America…and the world… wants to hear.
Joan Rivers embodies class, confidence and chutzpah in all the right proportions and her accomplishments are amazing. Of course, her most joyous accomplishment right now is being grandmother to Melissa’s son, Cooper (Edgar Cooper Endicott), who was born on December 1, 2000—and she’s enjoying that immensely.