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Joan Rivers Hospitalized in New York City

Update: 81-year-old comedian in medically-induced coma, ‘resting comfortably’

by
Stephanie Butnick
August 28, 2014
Joan Rivers on January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Joan Rivers on January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)

Joan Rivers was rushed to the hospital after she stopped breathing while undergoing vocal chord surgery at a local clinic, TMZ reports. The 81-year-old comedian was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Update, Wednesday 12:48 p.m.: According to E! News, Rivers’ condition has been upgraded from critical to stable.

Update, Thursday 11:00 a.m.: Rivers is currently in a medically-induced coma, the New York Post reports. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, issued a statement saying her mother was “resting comfortably.”

“I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support for my mother,” she said. “She is resting comfortably and is with our family. We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.”

Fans and friends of the famous comedian took to social media with their well-wishes.

To my dear friend @Joan_Rivers – I have known you forever. I wish you nothing but the best in this struggling time. Go get ‘em girl.



— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 28, 2014

I’m thinking about you, @Joan_Rivers, and sending lots of love your way.



— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 28, 2014

Joan upgraded to stable. Come on @Joan_Rivers! You’ve got a full calendar next month!



— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) August 28, 2014

Stephanie Butnick is chief strategy officer of Tablet Magazine, co-founder of Tablet Studios, and a host of the Unorthodox podcast.