Update:
Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, 4:00 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK (AP) – Joan Rivers’ family is confirming that the comedian is on life support after going into cardiac arrest last week during a procedure at a doctor’s office.
Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, said in a statement Tuesday that her mother is on life support “at this time.” Melissa said the family is extremely grateful for the public support.
Joan Rivers was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan last Thursday. The 81-year-old comic and red carpet commentator has maintained a busy career as host of “Fashion Police” on the E! network and co-star of the WEtv reality show, “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?”
Melissa Rivers said Tuesday that she knows that her mother would be overwhelmed by the continuing outpouring of kindness.
Friday, August 29, 2014
NEW YORK — Joan Rivers remained in serious condition in a New York City hospital Friday, one day after going into cardiac arrest at a doctor’s office.
Melissa Rivers said in a statement Friday that her mother was “receiving the best treatment and care possible.” She also thanked Rivers’ fans and friends for their support.
“My mother would be so touched by the tributes and prayers that we have received from around the world,” Melissa Rivers said. “Her condition remains serious … We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts as we pray for her recovery.”
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The Mount Sinai Hospital said it had no updates Friday. On Thursday, hospital spokesman Sid Dinsay confirmed that Rivers had been taken there that morning.
New York City police officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly name Rivers, said she was taken to the hospital just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday. It was unclear why she was visiting the doctor’s office.
The comedian with a half-century of show business under her belt has spawned a reputation for often-snarky red carpet fashion commentary. A show she had scheduled Friday at the Count Basie Theatre in New Jersey, has been postponed.
An early and outspoken proponent of cosmetic surgery, Rivers’ drastically altered her appearance over the years — and found plenty of material for jokes. (“I’ve had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware.”)
The host of “Fashion Police” on E! network, Rivers also presides over an online talk show, “In Bed With Joan” and co-stars with her daughter on the WEtv reality show, “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?”
A longtime ally to the LGBT community, Rivers is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, and has recently presided over a number of same-sex weddings. But she came under fire last month for joking that President Barack Obama is gay and that the First Lady “is a tranny.”
Her latest book, “Diary of a Mad Diva,” was released this summer.
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