NEW YORK (AP) — Joan Rivers has received the kind of star-studded send-off she always said she wanted.
In her 2012 book “I Hate Everyone … Starting With Me,” the comedian had written that she hoped her funeral would bea “huge showbiz affair with light, cameras, action” and that’s what her friends and family have given her.
Howard Stern delivered the eulogy, Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald sang “Smile,” the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus sang “Hey Big Spender” and other Broadway hits, Hugh Jackman sang “Quiet Please, There’s A Lady On Stage” at the end of the ceremony. Bagpipers from the New York City Police Department played “New York, New York” on the street as mourners filed out.
Among the legion of notables were fellow comedians Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg. Fashion designer Dennis Basso says it was “uplifting,” adding: “We were celebrating her life.” Actress Susan Claassen says, “in a world of knockoffs, Joan was an original.”
Rivers died Thursday at 81.
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171-w-35-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Deborah Norville, TV anchor and friend of Joan Rivers who spoke at her funeral)–Howard Stern delivered the eulogy and Hugh Jackman sang “Quiet Please, There’s a Lady On Stage” at the end of the ceremony at Joan Rivers’ star-studded funeral. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (7 Sep 2014)
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172-a-11-(Jeff Ross, comedian and friend of Joan Rivers who attended her funeral, with reporters)-“stayed as relevant”-Comedian Jeff Ross, who attended Joan Rivers’ funeral, says she was a fearless comedian who will be remembered for her sharp wit. (7 Sep 2014)
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173-a-11-(Jeff Ross, comedian and friend of Joan Rivers who attended her funeral, with reporters)-“for her today”-Comedian Jeff Ross, who attended Joan Rivers’ funeral, says the service was star studded and uplifting. (7 Sep 2014)
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174-a-07-(Deborah Norville, TV anchor and friend of Joan Rivers who spoke at her funeral, with reporters)-“has said that”-Deborah Norville, who spoke at Joan Rivers’ funeral, says her longtime friends would have loved the star-studded, uplifting service. (7 Sep 2014)
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175-a-09-(Deborah Norville, TV anchor and friend of Joan Rivers who spoke at her funeral, with reporters)-“our feet clapping”-Deborah Norville, who spoke at Joan Rivers’ funeral, says it was a moving service and a great tribute to her friend. (7 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO NYCR127: Melissa Rivers and her son Cooper Endicott walk to a waiting car after the funeral service for comedian Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Rivers died Thursday at 81. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (7 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO NYCR121: Howard Stern, center right, and his wife Beth depart a funeral service for comedian Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Rivers died Thursday at 81. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (7 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO NYCR119: Sarah Jessica Parker, center right, speaks with attendees after a funeral service for comedian Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Rivers died Thursday at 81. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (7 Sep 2014)
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APPHOTO NYCR106: Barbara Walters arrives at a funeral service for comedian Joan Rivers at Temple Emanu-El in New York, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. Rivers died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. She was 81. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) (7 Sep 2014)
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