# Joan Rivers

> American comedian, actress, and television host (1933–2014)

**Wikidata**: [Q240933](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q240933)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Rivers)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joan-rivers

## Summary
Joan Rivers was an American comedian, actress, and television host known for her sharp wit and pioneering career in entertainment. Active from 1959 until her death in 2014, she gained prominence as a stand-up comedian and later as the host of *The Tonight Show*. She was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and named a Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 8, 1933
- **Died**: September 4, 2014
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Connecticut College; Barnard College; Columbia University
- **Known for**: Comedy, television hosting, writing, and acting
- **Employer(s)**: The Tonight Show
- **Field(s)**: Entertainment, Comedy, Literature, Film, Television
- **Member of**: Phi Beta Kappa Society
- **Record Label**: Geffen Records

## Contributions
Joan Rivers built a prolific career spanning over five decades in the entertainment industry. Her primary contributions include:
- **Comedy**: Established herself as a leading stand-up comedian, noted for her candid and often controversial humor.
- **Television**: Served as a television presenter and host, most notably affiliated with *The Tonight Show*.
- **Literature**: Authored written works as a professional writer.
- **Acting**: Performed as a film actor, television actor, and stage actor, appearing in various productions.
- **Production**: Worked behind the scenes as a film director, screenwriter, and film producer.

## FAQs
**What was Joan Rivers' educational background?**
Joan Rivers attended Connecticut College and was educated at Barnard College and Columbia University. She was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

**What awards did Joan Rivers receive?**
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year in 1951.

**What record label was Joan Rivers associated with?**
Joan Rivers was associated with Geffen Records, an American record label founded in 1980.

**Who were some of Joan Rivers' peers or related figures?**
Her professional context included associations with figures such as Eric André and Louis C.K., both American comedians and actors.

## Why They Matter
Joan Rivers matter as a transformative figure in American comedy and television. Her career, which began in 1959, broke barriers for female comedians in a male-dominated industry. Her work as a television host and her sharp, observational humor influenced generations of performers. Her longevity in the industry, lasting until 2014, cemented her status as a persistent and adaptable icon in entertainment.

## Notable For
- Pioneering female comedian in the United States.
- Hosting and appearing on *The Tonight Show*.
- Winning the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award.
- Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
- A career spanning 55 years (1959–2014).
- Association with Geffen Records.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky on June 8, 1933, in the United States, she later adopted the stage name Joan Rivers. Her educational path was distinguished; she attended Connecticut College and received education at Barnard College and Columbia University. Her academic achievements included membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society, an honor society for the liberal arts and sciences.

### Career in Entertainment
Joan Rivers began her professional work period in 1959, establishing herself as a comedian and television presenter. She became widely known for her work on *The Tonight Show*, a significant platform in American late-night television. Her career was multifaceted, encompassing roles as a film actor, television actor, and stage actor. She also worked extensively behind the camera as a film director, screenwriter, and film producer. Additionally, she contributed to the field of journalism and worked as a voice actor.

### Musical Associations
Rivers was associated with Geffen Records, a major American record label founded in 1980 by David Geffen. The label, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, is known for artists such as Nirvana and Guns N' Roses and operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

### Recognition and Awards
Throughout her career, Rivers received significant recognition. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located in Hollywood, California. In 1951, she was honored as the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year by the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

### Later Life and Legacy
Joan Rivers' career continued until her death on September 4, 2014. Her work period is documented as ending in 2014, marking over five decades of activity in the entertainment industry. Her legacy includes a vast archive of performances and written works, maintained across numerous databases including Wikipedia (87 sitelinks), Wikidata, and various film and music identifiers.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/05/showbiz/joan-rivers/)
2. The International Who's Who of Women 2006
3. Joan Rivers, a Comic Stiletto Quick to Skewer, Is Dead at 81
4. Enter Talking
5. [Source](https://people.com/all-about-joan-rivers-daughter-melissa-11733314)
6. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/creators/31558)
7. [Source](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/joan-rivers-judaism_n_5767934.html)
8. [Source](http://www.newyorkjourney.com/attractions/temple-emanu-el.htm)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. MusicBrainz
12. [Source](http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/joan-rivers-death-revealed/story?id=25264318)
13. Integrated Authority File
14. SNAC
15. Internet Broadway Database
16. Find a Grave
17. FemBio database
18. BnF authorities
19. [2014](http://joanrivers.com/2014/09/04/from-melissa/)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. [Joan Rivers | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL24519A/Joan_Rivers)
22. BBC Things
23. [Source](https://www.geni.com/people/Joan-Rivers/6000000020960512018)
24. [Source](http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mainlinemedianews/obituary.aspx?n=barbara-waxler&pid=165153015&fhid=18292)
25. Quora
26. [Joan Rivers (visual voices guide) - Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Joan-Rivers/)
27. [LIBRIS. 2014](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/dbqt1wpx1g17qgp)
28. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
29. The Movie Database