Joan Rivers: A Trailblazer As a writer, producer, comedian, and actress, Joan Rivers blazed a trail for other female celebrities. She had an interest in show business, dreaming of becoming famous; she worked hard to achieve that reality. As a youngster, she appeared in school plays and when she became a teenager, she was an extra in the movie Mr. Universe. Throughout her career, she met challenges head on to become a star. During what was deemed as a regular surgery, Ms. Rivers died unexpectedly at the age of 81 of a heart attack, leaving a legacy that lives on. Joan, also known as Joan Alexandra Molinsky by her birth name, was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 8, 1933. Before entering show business, she worked various jobs, such as a tour guide at Rockefeller Center, a …show more content…
The close relationship that she and her only child had come forth as a result of a family tragedy—the suicide of Melissa’s father, Edgar Rosenberg. He was Joan’s manager, and he took his life after Joan announced her intention to separate from him after 22 years of marriage. This was also at a time that she was struggling with her career, and he felt responsible for that. Melissa blamed Joan for her father taking his life, but eventually they were able to reconcile their differences. Awhile after that misfortune, Joan and Melissa accepted movie roles based on their lives in the movie Tear and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story (1994). Through their performances, they were able to work out their grief, blame, and guilt. Joan and Melissa’s relationship grew, as they played characters about their lives. It did not seem to bother Joan to show the world her transparency and candor. Many people would find it difficult, myself included, living such a public life, but she seemed to relish in it. Ms. Rivers accepted that as being the price of being a