Joan Rivers and David Letterman. She is considered by many critics and journalists a pioneer of women in comedy. All authored and read by Joan Rivers, except where noted. Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was noted for her often controversial comedic persona—heavily self-deprecating or sharply acerbic, especially toward celebrities and politicians. Rivers rose to prominence in 1965 as a guest on "The Tonight Show". Hosted by her mentor, Johnny Carson, the show established Rivers' comedic style. In 1986, with
Joan Bocher Joan Bocher Joan Bocher (died 2 May 1550 in Smithfield, London) was an English Anabaptist burned at the stake for heresy during the rule of King Edward VI. She has also been known as Joan Boucher or Butcher, or as Joan Knell or Joan of Kent. Bocher's origins are unclear, but it is known that families named Bocher and Knell lived in the area round Romney Marsh. She was associated with Anabaptists in Kent, some of them immigrants who had fled persecution in the low countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). In the 1530s and 1540s she was "much in