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Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers

Actor and writer, also producer · Died September 4, 2014, aged 81 · Brooklyn, New York, USA

Joan Alexandra Molinsky, known professionally as Joan Rivers (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014) ,was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was noted for her often controversial comedic persona—heavily self-deprecating and sharply acerbic, especially towards celebrities and politicians.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 8, 1933
Died
September 4, 2014 (aged 81)
From
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Works as
Actor and writer, also producer
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 71 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 28% in 30 days

What are Joan Rivers' films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 24th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 91st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
26%
Society
22%
Bonds
19%
Morality
11%
Power
8%
Ideas
8%
Survival
8%
Fame4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 10 · Serious 3 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 9 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 2

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 10

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4
Mentor
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
9
Absurd
6
Contemplative
4
Bittersweet
3
Tense
3
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet7
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joan Rivers' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joan Rivers' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

71 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 106 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Mansfield 66/67(2017)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?(2014)

    as Grandma Doyle

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Iron Man 3(2013)

    as Joan Rivers

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Why We Laugh: Funny Women(2013)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Joan Rivers: Don't Start with Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Writer · as Self

  • Tower Heist(2011)

    Thanks · as Self

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Smurfs(2011)

    as Party Guest

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Growing Up Barnard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?(2011)

    Show 26 episodes · Producer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Epic Rap Battles of History (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Characters

  • Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps(2010)

    as Joan Rivers

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Hot in Cleveland(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Anka · as Self

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Celebrity Ghost Stories(2008)

    Show 1 episode · In Memory Of · as Self

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Söndagsparty med Filip & Fredrik (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Spaceballs: The Animated Series(2008)

    Show 15 episodes · as Dot Matrix (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • My Name is Jackie Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Joan Rivers: Before Melissa Pulls the Plug (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Writer · as Self

  • Another Audience with Joan Rivers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Writer · as Self

  • Joan Rivers: (Still A) Live at the London Palladium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Writer · as Self

  • First Daughter(2004)

    as Joan Rivers

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Joan Rivers Live at the Apollo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Writer · as Self

  • Live at the Apollo(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Shrek 2(2004)

    as Joan Rivers (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Best Week Ever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dave the Barbarian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ghost Mom (voice) · as Queen Zonthara (voice)

  • I'm with Her (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joan Rivers

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joan Rivers · as Self

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Less Than Perfect(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Dawn French's Girls Who Do Comedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Fashion Police (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 28 episodes · as Host

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan Rivers

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Whispers: An Elephant's Tale(2000)

    as Spike (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Intern(2000)

    as Dolly Bellows

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Goosed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Blanche

  • Knitwits Revisited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Dialogue · as Becky (voice)

  • Knitwits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Writer · as Becky (voice)

  • Arthur(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Bubby (voice)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Suddenly Susan(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · as Edie

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Napoleon(1995)

    as Mother Penguin (voice)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Additional Writing · as Joan (voice)

  • Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story(1994)

    as Joan Rivers

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Serial Mom(1994)

    as Joan Rivers

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Lady Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bibi Grant

  • Joan Rivers: Abroad in London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Writer · as Self

  • Public Enemy #2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Joan Rivers

  • How to Murder a Millionaire(1990)

    as Irma

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Annie Dubinsky (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Look Who's Talking(1989)

    as Julie (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Live with Kelly and Mark(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Writer · as Joan Rivers

  • Spaceballs(1987)

    as Dot Matrix (voice)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Les Patterson Saves the World(1987)

    as President Rivers (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • WrestleMania II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ring Announcer

  • The Muppets Take Manhattan(1984)

    as Perfume Saleswoman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • An Audience with Joan Rivers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Writer · Actor

  • Lily: Sold Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Joan Rivers

  • Siegfried and Roy - Superstars Of Magic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rabbit Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Writer · as Second Nurse

  • Husbands, Wives & Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show Creator

  • Happy Birthday, Las Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Allison Newman

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Writer · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Girl Most Likely to...(1973)

    Story · Teleplay

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Needles and Pins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Electric Company(1971)

    Show 780 episodes · as Letterman Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Jim Nabors Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Here's Lucy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan Reynolds

  • The Swimmer(1968)

    as Joan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 9 episodes · as Meredith Dunston

  • Mister Universe(1951)

    as Teenage Girl in Audience

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles from 1951 to 2017; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

Spaceballs (1987)

$38M worldwide

Highest rated

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Spaceballs (1987)

Film career

19512017

Peak 2014 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1968Screen debut· The Swimmer

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting58 of 71: 51 only acting, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score45thDirecting1 of 71: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting15 of 71: 9 only writing, 6 with another roleProducing1 of 71: 1 only producing, 0 with another roleOther crew4 of 71: 3 only other crew, 1 with another role

71 titles, 7 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 6 of them.

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s4 · acting1970s8 · 5 acting · 4 crew1980s11 · 11 acting · 2 crew1990s14 · 13 acting · 4 crew2000s21 · 16 acting · 6 crew2010s12 · 8 acting · 4 crew

Billing

usually 20th · top billed in 0% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Joan Rivers' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 37 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story (1994)

92nd percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Swimmer (1968)

Midcredits 95th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Joan Rivers work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joan Rivers' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kathy Griffin shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors