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               Comedian Joan Rivers Dies at Age 81, Daughter says

   by Reuters

   U.S. Comedian Joan Rivers died on Thursday in New York a week after
   suffering cardiac arrest during an outpatient medical procedure, her
   daughter said in a statement. She was 81.

   "It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan
   Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and
   close friends," Melissa Rivers said.

   Rivers, who is known for her acerbic brand of humor, once described
   herself as the "plastic surgery poster girl" and joked about her
   numerous procedures.

   During her lengthy career, the husky-voiced, Brooklyn-born comedian won
   fame for her scathing put-downs and was known for asking, "Can we
   talk?"
   Rivers wanted to be an actress but got into comedy after writing
   sketches for television's "The Ed Sullivan Show." A career in stand-up
   followed. She later worked as a regular guest host for Johnny Carson on
   NBC's "The Tonight Show."

   When she started her own late-night talk show in 1986, on the rival
   Fox  network, it caused a falling-out with Carson that lasted until he
   died in 2005.

   Rivers' show was canceled after seven months.

   Rivers also hosted an Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, "The Joan
   Rivers Show," and later "Fashion Police," commenting on the unfortunate
   red carpet choices of Hollywood celebrities.

   Rivers won Donald Trump's reality TV show "The Apprentice" in 2009 and
   has starred in the reality TV program "Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows
   Best?"
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/joan-rivers-dies/2438922.html