Joan Alexandra Molinsky

Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014) was an American stand-up comedian, actress, producer, writer, and television host. She was known for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona, which was often self-deprecating and acerbic, particularly towards celebrities and politicians. Many critics regard her as a female comedy pioneer.

She hosted The Joan Rivers Show (1989–1993), winning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host. From the mid-1990s, she became known for her comedic red carpet awards show celebrity interviews. She was nominated in 1984 for a Grammy Award for her album What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most?, and was nominated in 1994 for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance of the title role in Sally Marr ... and Her Escorts. In 2015, Rivers posthumously received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her book, Diary of a Mad Diva.