Joan Rivers: In pictures

Joan Rivers, the straight-talking New York queen of comedy and scandal who entertained TV audiences for almost 50 years, has died.

Rivers started her career in the 1960s as a stage actress and a performer in New York's comedy clubs before getting her big break as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

She became a major star as a host and guest on US TV as well as writing for film and television, recording a Grammy-nominated comedy album and penning two best-selling books.

Rivers was a permanent fixture on red carpets at major award ceremonies, accosting stars as a host for TV stations. She is pictured here at the Golden Globes in 2004.

The brassy star also became known for her red carpet interviews and fashion commentary at the Oscars (pictured in 2005).

In 2009 and 2010, Rivers hosted the reality TV show How'd You Get So Rich?, which featured the star interviewing millionaires and billionaires. Rivers herself was at one point reported to have been $37m in debt due to failed business deals.

Rivers influenced a younger generation of comics including Sarah Silverman (left), who accompanied her at the premiere of a 2010 documentary titled Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.

The star often hosted programmes and appeared live with her daughter, TV host and producer Melissa Rivers.

Rivers took to the streets to promote her book Diary of a Mad Diva. Her other publications included I Hate Everyone... Starting With Me; and Men Are Stupid... And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman's Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery.