Joan Rivers often takes a lot of heat for her uncompromising remarks about celebrities, but as she battles for her life, family and friends are rallying around the ground-breaking comedienne.
The 81-year-old E! Fashion Police star is currently in critical, but stable condition after being placed in a medically induced coma in an effort to save her life following cardiac arrest in New York City Thursday, according to Entertainment Tonight co-host Nancy O’Dell.
Reports say Rivers stopped breathing on Thursday morning while having a “routine” throat procedure at a clinic on New York’s Upper East Side.
She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, which is about a mile from the clinic where Rivers was having the procedure, and is being treated there.
Daughter Melissa Rivers rushed from Los Angeles to her mother’s side upon hearing about the medical emergency.
On Thursday, Melissa released a statement to Us Weekly via Mount Sinai Hospital rep Sid Dinsay concerning her mother’s condition.
“I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support for my mother,” the statement read. “She is resting comfortably and is with our family. We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.”
Melissa Rivers has released a statement about her mother's health: http://t.co/PzxERpqltd pic.twitter.com/b9C4coFYS7
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) August 29, 2014
Rivers was taken to Mount Sinai around 9:30 a.m. local time.
“This morning, Joan Rivers was taken to The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she is being attended to,” hospital spokesman Sid Dinsay said in a statement Thursday. “Her family wants to thank everybody for their outpouring of love and support.”
Rivers appeared the night before her medical emergency at a book promotion event in New York City, and was scheduled to appear Friday night at a standup comedy show in Red Bank, New Jersey, which has now been postponed.
Celebrities are rallying around the comedienne on social media as she battles on.
To my dear friend @Joan_Rivers – I have known you forever. I wish you nothing but the best in this struggling time. Go get 'em girl.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 28, 2014
Dear @Joan_Rivers – praying for you. Please get well soon. We need you to keep us laughing!
— Joan Collins (@joancollinsobe) August 29, 2014
hey u – miss @Joan_Rivers – this show ain't over – GET WELL NOW !
— Rosie (@Rosie) August 29, 2014
Hang in there @Joan_Rivers So many awful gowns are going to be worn this year as bait for you pull through. Love and prayers Court
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) August 29, 2014
#joanrivers @joan_rivers YOUNG lady the world is not ready to be without Joan Rivers. Praying for you and your… http://t.co/W56hM0ztTk
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) August 28, 2014
I’m thinking about you, @Joan_Rivers, and sending lots of love your way.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 28, 2014