Joan Rivers Biography- Known by her stage name Joan Rivers, Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014) was an American comedian, actor, producer, writer, and television host. She gained notoriety for her direct, frequently contentious, and sharply humorous character, which was particularly biting and self-deprecating when directed at politicians and celebrities and was spoken in her distinctive New York accent. She is regarded as a trailblazer for female comedic roles. Along with being nominated for a Tony Award, she was awarded an Emmy and a Grammy. Alongside friends George Carlin, Woody Allen, and Richard Pryor, Rivers began her professional life in Greenwich Village comedy clubs. She then became well-known in 1965 after appearing as a guest on The Tonight Show. The program, which was hosted by Rivers’s mentor Johnny Carson, helped her define her humorous style.
Joan Rivers Biography 2025
Following his graduation from Barnard College, Rivers began performing in nightclubs as a member of the Chicago comic troupe Second City in 1961. When she appeared as a guest on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show in 1965, it was her big break. Many times over, she returned to the show after her well-received performance, and from 1983 to 1986, she frequently served as a guest host. During that period, Rivers was a popular guest on other TV shows and a star in Las Vegas. His sharp quips were frequently preceded with the catchphrase “Can we talk?” Although it was anticipated that Rivers would succeed Carson, Rupert Murdoch, who had acquired the Fox TV network, enticed her to take over as host of the brief The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers (1986–87); this decision caused a rift with Carson, who never spoke of it again.
Joan Rivers Biography 2025 Details
Birth name |
Joan Alexandra Molinsky |
Born |
June 8, 1933
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
Died |
September 4, 2014 (aged 81)
Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
Medium |
- Stand-up
- television
- film
- literature
- theatre
|
Alma mater |
Connecticut College
Barnard College (BA) |
Years active |
1957–2014 |
Genres |
- Observational comedy
- insult comedy
- shock comedy
- black comedy
- blue comedy
- improvisational comedy
|
Spouse |
-
James Sanger
(m. 1955; ann. 1955)
-
Edgar Rosenberg
(m. ; died )
|
Children |
Melissa Rivers |
Category |
Singers Bio |
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Joan Rivers
Melissa Warburg Rosenberg, known professionally as Melissa Rivers, is an American television host and actress. She is the only child of comedian Joan Rivers and producer Edgar Rosenberg.
Born: 20 January 1968 (age 56 years), Manhattan, New York, United States
Spouse: John Endicott (m. 1998–2003)
Children: Edgar Cooper Endicott
Height: 1.65 m
Parents: Joan Rivers, Edgar Rosenberg
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Early life
On June 8, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Joan Alexandra Molinsky was born into a family of Jewish Russian immigrants, Beatrice (née Grushman) and doctor Meyer C. Molinsky. Barbara Waxler was the name of her older sister. Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights and Crown Heights were the early homes of Rivers. She made her first alter ego, J. Sondra Meredith, when she was eight years old. Because of her background in theater, she attended the progressive, now-defunct Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture School and the college-preparatory day school Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, where she served as co-chair of her school. After participating in the School Cavalcades for two years, she became vice president of the Dramatic Club in 1949 at the age of sixteen.
At the age of 18, she received her diploma from Brooklyn’s Adelphi Academy in 1951. Rivers moved to Larchmont, which is north of New York City, with her family when she was a teenager. Rivers enrolled at Connecticut College because her sister had gone there, continuing a family tradition. Rivers has said in interviews that she suffered with her body image her entire life and that being overweight affected her greatly during her childhood, adolescent, and college years. She moved to Barnard College after two years, where she earned a BA in English literature and anthropology in 1954.
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Career
Time Period |
Career Highlights |
Late 1950s |
Appeared in off-Broadway play Driftwood with Barbra Streisand (ran for six weeks). |
Early 1960s |
Performed in Greenwich Village comedy clubs (The Bitter End, The Gaslight Cafe, The Duplex). Befriended comedians Woody Allen and George Carlin. Worked with musicians like Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. |
1963-1964 |
Joined cabaret act “Jim, Jake & Joan” with Jim Connell and Jake Holmes. Performed at The Bitter End, appeared in film Once Upon A Coffee House. The group disbanded due to political differences. |
1965 |
Guest on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar. Became a gag writer and participant on Candid Camera. Made first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (February 17), which marked her breakthrough. |
Mid-1960s |
Frequent guest on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Dick Cavett Show, and Girl Talk. Wrote material for Topo Gigio. |
1968 |
Appeared in cult film The Swimmer with Burt Lancaster. Hosted her own syndicated talk show That Show with Joan Rivers. Released comedy albums The Next to Last Joan Rivers Album and Rivers Presents Mr. Phyllis & Other Funny Stories. |
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Personal life
Joan Rivers |
Details |
Wedding Invitation |
One of four Americans invited to Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles’ wedding (April 9, 2005). |
Gun License |
Licensed to carry a gun in New York City, threatened with loss of the license after a 2002 altercation. |
Political Affiliation |
Registered Republican. |
First Marriage |
Married James Sanger in 1956; annulled after six months due to Sanger not wanting children. |
Second Marriage |
Married Edgar Rosenberg on July 15, 1965; they had one child, Melissa Rivers. Marriage lasted until Rosenberg’s suicide in 1987. |
Children |
Daughter: Melissa Rivers (born January 20, 1968). |
Grandchildren |
Grandson: Cooper (born Edgar Cooper Endicott, 2000). Featured in Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?. |
Rosenberg’s Death |
Rosenberg committed suicide in 1987, four days after Joan asked for a separation. Joan described the marriage as a “total sham”. |
Extramarital Affairs |
Had affairs, including with actor Robert Mitchum and Gabriel Dell. |
Later Relationship |
In an eight-year relationship with Orin Lehman in the 1990s. |
Mental Health Struggles |
Developed bulimia nervosa after Rosenberg’s death. Contemplated suicide, but her dog stopped her. Recovered with counseling. |
Famous Relative |
Great niece of singer Happy Fanny Fields. |
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What was Joan Rivers’ Net Worth and Salary
Joan Rivers was a New York-born comedian, actress, and television host who had a net worth of $150 million.
Joan Rivers |
Details |
Net Worth |
$150 million |
Salary |
Varied throughout her career, with significant earnings from stand-up comedy, TV hosting, and business ventures |
First Professional Role |
Played opposite Barbra Streisand in an Off-Broadway production of “Driftwood” |
Comedy Career Start |
Began in the 1960s as a stand-up comedian |
Media Ventures |
Film, television, theater, books |
Television Highlights |
First woman to host her own talk show; hosted The Joan Rivers Show, Fashion Police, and other programs |
Awards and Honors |
Multiple awards including a Daytime Emmy for The Joan Rivers Show |
Entrepreneurial Ventures |
Created successful businesses, including jewelry lines and fashion products |
Career Duration |
Spanned more than 40 years |
Legacy |
Known for sharp wit, trailblazing roles for women in comedy and TV hosting, and success across various entertainment and business platforms |