1.
Her real name is Joan Alexandra Molinsky.
2.
She graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English.
3.
She worked as a fashion coordinator for Bond Clothing Store and as a publicist for Lord and Taylor.
4.
Her first marriage only lasted six weeks.
5.
She once kissed Barbara Streisand.
6.
She was part of "Jim, Jake, and Joan" a comedic musical trio.
7.
Her first television appearance was on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.
8.
She became his first female co-host.
9.
She made several appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show".
10.
She was known for her physical stand-up routines.
11.
She often performed stand-up using the stage name Pepper January.
12.
Her first movie role, in 1968, was in the cult classic "The Swimmer", also starring Burt Lancaster.
13.
She directed a made-for-TV movie:
14.
She introduced us to Billy Crystal:
15.
Johnny Carson played an elaborate prank on her in 1983, hiring an actress to impersonate Margret Thatcher.
16.
She had her own show in 1986, "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers" on Fox.
17.
She published several hit comedy books.
18.
She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording in 1985.
19.
She received A Harvard Hasty Pudding Award for "Woman of The Year" in 1984.
20.
She sang with Mr. Rogers on live television.
21.
She received her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
