Joan Rivers Dies at 81

Legendary comedian Joan Rivers has died at 81. According to Variety, the host of E!’s Fashion Police passed away this afternoon after going into cardiac arrest during a medical procedure yesterday. Rivers was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital after a surgery on her vocal cords resulted in breathing complications last week, and she was put in a medically-induced coma two days ago. Here’s the official statement from her daughter Melissa:

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided my mother.Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated.My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.

Here’s Rivers’s fantastic scene from season 2 of Louie.

Joan Rivers Dies at 81