Joan Rivers Death: Hollywood Reacts

Many of Joan Rivers’ colleagues and friends took to Twitter and released statements on Thursday after learning about the entertainer’s death.

Joan’s daughter, Melissa Rivers, announced the sad news in a statement on Thursday. Joan was 81.

Here’s how Hollywood was reacting to the news:

Whoopi Goldberg: “My dear friend, Joan Rivers, has passed away. Once again, I can only quote Billy Crystal…”there are no words.” Bon voyage, Joan.”

Don Rickles: “Our dear Joan is gone. Knowing her, working with he and enjoying the fun times of life with her was special. She will always be in our hearts. She was a good friend to Barbara and I. Melissa, be strong and take care of your son Cooper. Joan…we will miss you.” 

Ryan Seacrest: “Joan was a trailblazer in so many ways, and I greatly admired her talent and humor. She was a colleague and friend, as we worked together on E!, and she was also a treasured guest on my radio show many times. Regardless of the forum, Joan was full of funny, witty surprises and she had so much spirit. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Melissa and her family.”

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Josh Groban: “RIP Joan. What a tough trailblazing lady. We’ve lost so much laughter this year.”

 

Lisa Vanderpump: “So sad,each time i met her always thought what a wonderful lady,gracious humble and funny. It’s a huge loss.#RIP Joan Rivers.

Kelly Ripa: “NOOOOOOOO………. RIP Joan. You will be forever missed.”

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Lance Bass: “Thanks for the laughs @Joan_Rivers ! The last woman to bed me!”

 

Zoe Saldana: “My heart is absolutely broken. My prayers go out to #JoanRivers and her family. RIP#JoanRivers”

Kathy Griffin: “A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon, and wildly funny. One of a kind. RIP”

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Piers Morgan: “Unapologetically offensive, kind, tough, complicated, irrepressible, supremely energetic…and above all, bloody funny. RIP Joan Rivers.”

 

Sharon Osbourne: “We’ve lost a true legend today and an amazing woman – a pioneer. She opened up the arena for women in comedy…. My heart goes out to Melissa & her son Edgar Cooper. Love and respect from the Osbourne family to you both.”

David Steinberg: “She was one of the best comedy guests Johnny [Carson] ever had…”

Ellen DeGeneres: “Joan Rivers will always be a pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I’m very sad she’s gone.”

Rosie O’Donnell: “At opening night of A CHORUS LINE – 2006 – she as usual made fun of my “lesbian challenged black tie” 

Kristin Chenoweth: “RIP Joan Rivers. You made us laugh and happy.”

Liza Minnelli: “Joan was my dear friend and I will miss her but I will always remember the laughter and friendship she brought into my life.”

Roseanne Barr: “RIP GODDESS: Hail Hail, a GENIUS has vacated this realm: Joan Rivers has died.”

Lena Dunham: “Watching Joan Rivers do standup at age 81 was incredible: athletic, jaw-dropping, terrifying, essential. It never stopped. Neither will she.”

Barbara Walters: “No one loved life, laughter, and a good time more than Joan. 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.”

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Don Rickles: “Our dear Joan is gone. Knowing her, working with her and enjoying the fun times of life with her was special. She will always be in our hearts. She was a good friend to Barbara and I. Melissa, be strong and take care of your son Cooper. Joan…we will miss you.”

 

Elizabeth Banks: “I loved Joan Rivers. A trailblazing funny lady. Have fun up there. #RIPJoan”

Joel McHale: “We will miss you @Joan_Rivers. What you did in your life was absolutely remarkable. Your rep for kindness to everyone was completely true”

 

TV Guide Network: “Joan Rivers was a brilliant comedienne, vibrant entertainer, provocative talk show host and a no-holds-barred trailblazer who made us laugh for decades. We fondly remember Joan as the host of TV Guide Network’s live red carpet award show specials, an entertainment pastime that she invented, setting all-time ratings records for the channel. Today, we salute and celebrate Joan Rivers, whose legendary career will be forever remembered.”

Amy Poehler: “What a full life. Every woman in comedy is indebted to her. She was there at the beginning and funny to the end. RIP Joan”

Nancy Reagan: “Joan Rivers was not only a dear friend, but one of the kindest and funniest people I ever knew. 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.”

— Jesse Spero

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