RIP Joan Rivers!
This is shocking news – and incredibly sad for everyone who had the good fortune to know her: Joan Rivers was one of the nicest, most genuinely warm and loving people you could ever meet.
Her death is an incredibly sad day for all of us who were fortunate enough to have worked with her, and of course for her millions of fans…
Yesterday, her friend Cher posted this picture and a note wishing her the best:
“Here’s looking at you kid“
Hey Joan,
Hurry & Get Well
I Know You, & you’re the Toughest Chick on our Block
Me
Last Year On Steve Harvey
Alex and I have known Joan since the days of E!’s Red Carpet coverage, and got the chance to spend time with her and Melissa last year when they came to town to appear on Steve Harvey.
She was, as always, warm and charming, and she and Melissa were as always terrific guests…they were true professionals who knew “the act”…sometimes tough for Melissa, who had to be the “straight man” – but they were fiercely loyal to each other, and a joy to hang out with…
I wanted to share two quick stories that speak to me about what a great person she was…
Joan’s High Flying Fashion Review!
Remember the year that the Oscars performed the “nominated best songs” by including flying trapeze Artists? Well, Alex decided it would be funny to end the “Fashion Review” by flying a production assistant across the stage….
“Wouldn’t it be funnier if it was me?” Joan said with a straight face.
Because with Joan it was always about “the joke”, and she had no ego about that. If the joke wasn’t funny, she cut it without question…and if it was funnier to have Floor Director Tom McNamara pulling her legs back as she was harnessed in, ten feet above the stage, and then letting her fly across over credits…well, that’s what Joan did…
Our Wedding Dinner…
The other story is much more personal: when Alex and I got married, Joan threw a pre-wedding dinner for us at the restaurant Pinot Hollywood. We were told later that, when she arrived to make sure the room was set right, she didn’t like the flowers, so she raced across the street to a convenience store, where she bought up all of the plastic flowers she could find…then saw a line of shoppers waiting for her….
Even though she was in a huge rush, she stopped to take pictures and sign autographs, because as she said, “it’s all about the fans.”
For everyone who worked with her, she was the classiest, most generous person you could ever meet. Melissa has not only lost her Mother, but her best friend as well…
RIP Joan…
Categories: Academy Awards, Awards, Books / Media, Cannes Film Festival, documentary films, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Great story, John. Thanks!
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Thank you John for sharing your and Alex personal story. So touching and so Joan!
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Joan was genuine, warm and caring…and so nice! Her “act” hid that at times, but no ego and all class…a pioneer – easy to forget the incredible impact she had in entertainment….thanks as always for your note
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