Flood of tributes for ‘fearless’ Rivers

Tributes have poured in for American comedian Joan Rivers following her death at the age of 81.

Famed for her caustic wit, Rivers has been described as “funny and fearless” by comedians and others from the world of showbiz.

Rivers was a veteran of showbusiness, with half a century working in entertainment under her belt.

She was known for her acid tongue and for undergoing plastic surgery.

In 2010 she joked: “With all the plastic surgery I’ve had I’m worried when I die, God won’t recognise me!”

Comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted: “RIP the mighty Joan Rivers. Funny & fearless. Truly one of a kind.”

RIP the mighty Joan Rivers. Funny & fearless. Truly one of a kind.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) September 4, 2014

British-born best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford said: “It is with great sorrow that (husband) Bob and I have just heard of Joan’s passing.

“What a terrible loss to her daughter, Melissa, and her grandson, Cooper, and to all of her friends and fans. Joan was a great friend to have.

“Aside from her humour and comedic talents, she also made her friends laugh in private.”

Singer Boy George said Rivers had been a big part of his working life.

“Goodbye my friend Joan Rivers. You were a huge part of my professional life and you brightened up the horizon with your Chutzpah! Sad!”

Goodbye my friend Joan Rivers. You were a huge part of my professional life and you brightened up the horizon with your Chutzpah! Sad!

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) September 4, 2014

Actor Hugh Jackman said: “We lost one of the true originals today. Joan Rivers. A force. You will be missed.”

We lost one of the true originals today. Joan Rivers. A force. You will be missed. Love Hugh & Deb. @Deborra_lee

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) September 4, 2014

US television host Larry King tweeted: “Joan Rivers was a dear and wonderful friend who I’ve known for 45 years. Great guest, pal, comedian & mother. We will never see her likes again.”

.@Joan_Rivers was a dear & wonderful friend who I've known for 45yrs. Great guest, pal, comedian & mother. We will never see her likes again

— Larry King (@kingsthings) September 4, 2014

The comedian laid out some very specific funeral plans in her 2012 book, I Hate Everyone... Starting With Me.

She wants her funeral to be a “huge showbiz affair”, with paparazzi, a wind machine, a Valentino gown and “Meryl Streep crying in five different accents”.

The funeral takes place tomorrow at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan

Joan’s jokes

-I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.

-I blame my mother for my poor sex life. All she told me was, ‘The man goes on top and the woman underneath’. For three years my husband and I slept in bunk beds.

-I don’t exercise. If God wanted us to bend over, he’d put diamonds on the floor.

-At my age, an affair of the heart is a bypass.

-All babies look like Renee Zellweger pushed against a glass window.

-Joan Collins told a reporter that she hadn’t had plastic surgery… she’s had more tucks than a motel bed sheet.

-She’s so fat, she’s my two best friends.

-Boy George is all England needs – another queen who can’t dress.