September 4, 2014 7:06PM ET

Joan Rivers’ Life in Photos

Looking back at the life of the beloved, sassy comedian

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Joan River performs at 'We Are Most Amused'

The great comedian and celebrity gadfly Joan Rivers passed away on September 4th at the age of 81. Remember her most famous appearances and her exemplary work in this look back at a legendarily fearless career.

Joan Rivers with host Ed Sullivan on September 11th, 1966.

Joan Rivers at hospital with Melissa and Edgar

Nurse Ann Strauss, holds 6 1b 13 1/2 oz Melissa Frida, as Comedienne Joan Rivers who gave birth to the baby Saturday lights cigar for her husband Edgar Rosenberg (Photo By: Paul DeMaria/NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Paul DeMaria/NY Daily News

Nurse Anne Straus holds Joan's daughter, Melissa Frida, as the new mother lights a cigar for her husband, Edgar Rosenberg, on January 22nd, 1968.

Joan River on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON -- Pictured: Guest host Joan Rivers on March 6, 1986 -- (Photo by: Gene Arias/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Gene Arias/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Joan Rivers had a decades-long relationship with Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show, and is seen here during a guest-hosting stint on March 6th, 1986.

Ron Galella/WireImage

Joan Rivers with her late husband Edgar Rosenberg during the premiere of Roxanne at the Pitt Theater on June 19th, 1987 in Los Angeles.

Joan Rivers is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Joan Rivers, who often had an adversarial relationship with Hollywood celebrities, was honored with a star on the Walk of Fame on July 26th, 1989 in Hollywood, California.

Comedian Joan Rivers performs at the Stardust Resort & Casino June 26, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Long a comedians' comedian, Joan Rivers is seen here performing at the Stardust Resort & Casino on June 26th, 2004 in Las Vegas.

Joan and Melissa Rivers at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards

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Joan and Melissa Rivers were red carpet mainstays. The two are seen here at the TV Guide stage during arrivals to the 47th Annual Grammy Awards on February 13th, 2005 in Los Angeles.

THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE -- Episode 812/813 Live Finale -- Pictured: (l-r) Joan Rivers, Donald Trump, Mark Burnet (Photo by Ali Goldstein/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Ali Goldstein/NBC/Getty Images

Joan Rivers, Donald Trump and Mark Burnett on the finale of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2009.

STUDIO CITY, CA - JULY 26: Comedians Kathy Griffin and Joan Rivers onstage at the The Comedy Central Roast Of Joan Rivers held at CBS Studios on July 26, 2009 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Joan Rivers could take as good as she got. Proof came in the form of her own celebrity roast, and she's seen here with Kathy Griffin onstage at 'The Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers' on July 26, 2009 in Studio City, California.

Joan Rivers in 'Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work'

Joan Rivers experienced a well-deserved surge in interest after the release of the 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work.

Joan Rivers on the Late Show with David Letterman

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 26: Comedian Joan Rivers shares a laugh with Dave when she visits the Late Show with David Letterman Tuesday Feb. 26, 2013 on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS via Getty Images)

Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS via Getty Images

Continuing where she left off with Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers was a regular on the Late Show with David Letterman. She's seen here during an appearance on Dave's show on February 26th, 2013.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 30: Media personality/comedian Joan Rivers poses for a photo during her visit at Barnes & Noble Union Square to sign copies of her Book "Diary Of A Mad Diva" on June 30, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)

J. Countess/Getty Images

Joan Rivers authored and co-authored a dozen books, and is seen here at a Barnes & Nobles in Manhattan's Union Square, where she signed copies of her book Diary Of A Mad Diva on June 30th, 2014.

American commedienne Joan Rivers on an episode of the television comedy & variety program 'The Carol Burnett Show,' Los Angeles, California, September 25, 1970. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Joan Rivers guest-starring on an episode of The Carol Burnett Show, Los Angeles, September 25th, 1970.