years with her jokes, put-downs and one-liners -- has
died in NYC ... a week after her heart suddenly
stopped beating during vocal cord surgery. She was
81.Joan's daughter Melissa Rivers took her mom off
life support so she could pass comfortably in a
private room. The death has been reported to the
NYC Medical Examiner's Office -- and officials tell
TMZ the office will open an investigation to
determine cause of death. Melissa just issued a
statement saying, "It is with great sadness that I
announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers."
"She passed peacefully at 1:17 PM surrounded by
family and close friends. My son and I would like to
thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Mount Sinai
hospital for the amazing care they provided for my
mother." "Cooper and I have found ourselves
humbled by the outpouring of love, support and
prayers we have received from around the
world.They have been heard and appreciated."CLICK
HERE FOR HOLLYWOOD'S REACTIONS"My mother's
greatest joy in life was to make people laugh.
Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her
final wish would be that we return to laughing
soon." Rivers is widely credited for opening doors
for countless female comediennes. She broke
through in a big way during her appearances on
"The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. She also
famously enraged Carson by accepting a gig to host
a competing late night show on FOX. Carson never
spoke to her again.Rivers was born in 1933 -- she
worked as a writer and fashion consultant before
entering show biz as a stand-up comic in the early
'60s. She was famously self-deprecating ... often self-
critical of her looks and her marriage to Edgar
Rosenberg ... who committed suicide in 1987. Joan's
late '80s FOX show tanked, which somewhat derailed
her career. It was resurrected in a big way in 2010 in
the wake of the documentary "Joan Rivers: A Piece of
Work."She was universally adored by fellow
comedians, including fellow legend Don Rickles, who
once said about her ... "Joan is not only a very
intelligent lady, but extremely masterful at comedy
timing. Sharing the stage with her has always been a
joy for me."Barbara Walters was asked about Joan
last year, saying ... "I wouldn't dare to try to be funny
about Joan Rivers because she is the smartest, best-
informed and funniest woman I know."Joan and her
daughter Melissa began working as a team hosting
various red carpet and fashion shows on E! and
other networks, including "Fashion Police."Joan's
credits could fill a book ... including appearances in
"The Muppets Take Manhattan," "The Carol Burnett
Show," "Hollywood Squares," "Pee Wee's
Playhouse," "Celebrity Apprentice," "Saturday Night
Live" ... and on and on.
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