Joan Rivers’ funeral was indeed a Hollywood affair!
The comedienne and TV star who died last week at age 81 was mourned on Sunday by family and friends, including at least 40 celebrities, at a memorial at Temple Emanu-El, a Reform Jewish synagogue in New York City.
The emotional and often humorous service was conducted by Rabbi Joshua Davidson and included performances of Broadway show tunes by Hugh Jackman, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the New York City Police Department Emerald Society bagpipers and drummers.
The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus performed, singing songs like “There Is Nothing Like a Dame” from the 1949 musical South Pacific and “Hey, Big Spender” from the 1966 show Sweet Charity.
Broadway star Audra McDonald sang “Smile.” She was followed by Howard Stern, who delivered a humorous and moving eulogy. He called Joan his “good friend” and his “hero.”
Joan’s daughter, Melissa Rivers, read a sweet letter to her mother, while the comedienne’s other pals also delivered touching tributes to the late icon.
Joan’s friends, including Inside Edition host Deborah Norville and Page Six columnist Cindy Adams, as well as the comedienne’s business manager, told stories about the comedienne, recalling her practical jokes, humour and class.
The attendees were led in prayer and then the New York City Police Department Emerald Society bagpipers started playing “Amazing Grace.”
They followed that with “New York, New York” and concluded the service with “Give My Regards to Broadway.”
Amongst the celebrities present at her funeral included Giuliana Rancic, George Kotsiopoulos, Kelly Osbourne, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Judy Sheindlin, Donald Trump and family, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Paul Shaffer, Kathy Griffin, Beth Stern, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Dennis Basso, Nick Jonas, and many others.
