Adam Lambert, Suze Orman and Wanda
Sykes were among the out celebrities who on Thursday reacted to the
passing of comedian Joan Rivers.
Rivers, a strong supporter of gay
rights, was 81.
“It is with great sadness that I
announce the death of my mother,” Melissa Rivers said in a
statement. “She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family
and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors,
nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they
provided for my mother.”
“Goodbye Joan,” out singer Lambert
tweeted along with a photo of his himself and Rivers. “You were a
bright light till the end. What a beautiful life and grand career
you shared.”
“Joan Rivers will always be a
pioneer. She paved the way for a lot of comedians. I'm very sad
she's gone,” Ellen DeGeneres said.
Watch What Happens host Andy
Cohen said it was amazing that everyone is shocked at the news of her
passing at 81. “That's how relevant a life force she remained.”
“When I met Joan Rivers I told her I
loved her show,” Jesse Tyler Ferguson messaged. “She said:
'Which one? I have THREE!' Her energy, wit, stamina & heart are
an inspiration.”
Comedian Wanda Sykes thanked Rivers for
“paving the way for broads like me.”
“What a sad sad day,” money guru
Suze Orman added in a tweet. “We will miss you @Joan_Rivers.”