Joan Rivers Surgery Death: Comedienne's Funeral Draws Many Famous Faces
The veteran comedienne Joan Rivers' funeral was held in New York Sunday, and brought scores of celebrities out to bid farewell to the star. The service was held in Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side, packed with stars.
Television anchor Deborah Norville and Howard Stern both gave eulogies, and Hugh Jackman sang "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage." Tony award-winning actress Audra McDonald sang "Smile" and the NYPD bagpipers played "New York, New York" and other show tunes as the procession of famous faces made its way out of the synagogue.
Hordes of fans and paparazzi waited outside the service to see who had attended Rivers' ceremony.
During the ceremony, Stern poked fun in true Joan Rivers fashion at how she tried to defy her 81 years with lots of cosmetic surgery. Then he began to praise the female comic's legacy.
"She was my hero. A trailblazer," said Stern. He then joked at the rivalry between Rivers and "The Tonight Show" host, saying "I hope Joan is somewhere right now chasing Johnny Carson with a baseball bat."
Rivers had famously said she wanted her funeral to be a big spectacle of stars and cameras gathered to say their goodbyes.
"I want craft services, I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene!" she wrote in her 2012 book "I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me."
"I want it to be Hollywood all the way. I don't want some rabbi rambling on; I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents."
The "Fashion Police" host got her final wish, with many big-name attendees turning out to show their support. Kathy Griffin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Donald Trump, Rosie O'Donnell, Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters all were spotted at the memorial.
"Joan was phenomenally talented," Norville said.
"I cried, and I don't normally cry," comedian Jeff Ross, who produced Rivers' Comedy Central roast, said. "So it really got to me. We'll miss that lady. I hope God is well-dressed, because she'll be criticizing his outfit."
Joan's daughter, Melissa, briefly spoke that she and her son Cooper were so grateful for everything she had done for them.
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