Melissa Rivers made her first public appearance since the death of her mother, legendary comedian Joan Rivers at The Hollywood Reporter's "Women In Entertainment" breakfast on Dec. 10.
Rivers gave a heartwarming speech to a room full of Hollywood's most powerful women at L.A.'s Milk Studios. She spoke about Joan's determination at a young age to become a star and to speak her mind no matter the circumstances.
"My mother was fearless and I don't mean she didn't have any fears. I mean that although she was only 5'2'', she stood tall and walked through them. That is what made her such a brilliant performer," Melissa said. "She was willing to say what others were thinking and too frightened to admit. She never apologized for a joke and no topic was taboo and she was fine with that."
The elder Rivers passed away on Sept. 4 after a routine operation went wrong at the Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic in New York City. The comedian's daughter plans to sue the clinic for the botched procedure.
Rivers told several stories about her mother's childhood that showed Joan always spoke her mind and took risks to make her dreams come true. Joan once stole a photo of herself off the family piano and sent it in, frame and all, to MGM in hopes of becoming a young star at age eight.
"My grandma was not pleased as it was a $50 frame," Rivers said. MGM never responded to the photo.
Even though Joan broke out in the male-dominated world of comedy, she never considered "herself as a woman working a man's world," Rivers said. "She just thought of herself as a comic and had to be funnier than everyone else. She just wanted to do her job and that was to make people laugh."
The executive producer of the E! show "Fashion Police" added that her mother's program was "the funniest, edgiest and most controversial comedy show on television."
Rivers ended her nearly seven-minute speech by expressing her gratitude for the honor on behalf of her mother and added a little levity before quickly exiting off stage.
"She'd not only be grateful and proud, she'd be beyond herself," Rivers said of her mother. "She'd be sitting at the table, beaming. While very discreetly shoving croissants and silverware into her purse."
