The comedy legend wanted a showbiz farewell. And that’s exactly what she got.
In her book I Hate Everyone…Starting With Me Joan Rivers famously wrote, “When I die, I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action.”
“I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene. 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. I want Bobby Vinton to pick up my head and sing ‘Mr. Lonely’,” Joan said.
“I want to look gorgeous, better dead than I do alive. I want to be buried in a Valentino gown and I want Harry Winston to make me a toe tag. I want a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyoncé’s,” Joan added.
Now the famous comedian’s wishes for a uniquely Joan event have been fulfilled, as all of Hollywood gathered on Sunday to farewell the star at her funeral.
The funeral was held at Stern at Temple Emanu-El on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to celebrate Joan’s life, after passing away on Thursday at the age of 81.
A eulogy was given by Howard Stern and bagpipers played ‘New York, New York’. The program for the funeral included a page with three of Joan’s famous quotes “Can we talk?”, “Who are you wearing?” and “Because I’m a funny person.”
Guests included Kathy Griffin, Matthew Broderick and wife Sarah Jessica Parker, Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Kelly Osbourne Giuliana Ranic, Judy Sheindlin.
The celebrities lined up outside the Fifth Avenue synagogue for their names to be checked whilst across the street, fans of Joan flooded the entire block.
“There were a lot of tears mixed with laughter. It was packed. It was beautiful. Howard Stern opened up and had everyone laughing,” movie producer Howard Rosenman said.
Hugh Jackman sang the Peter Allen song, Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage, to conclude the ceremony.
SCROLL THROUGH the gallery for the celebrities who attended to farewell Joan…
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