Hugh Jackman performed at Joan Rivers' funeral
JOAN Rivers' funeral included a performance from Hugh Jackman and emotional eulogies from her daughter Melissa and close friend Deborah Norville.
The 81-year-old comedienne's memorial service kicked off with an opening pray from Rabbi Joshua Davidson, before Broadway's Audra McDonald stood up and gave a stunning performance, which left guests in tears.
Howard Stern then lightened the mood by giving a funny but touching speech, in which he referred to Joan as "the best friend in the world ... a big sister ... a crazy aunt at a bar mitzvah."
He added: "She fought the stereotype that women couldn't be funny... and she was responsible for putting the red carpet into prime time."
- Streaker claims double standards after female let off
- Jack the Ripper 'revealed ' from DNA from old shawl
- Loving dads killed on eve of Father's Day
- Driver fights for life after truck explosion
- Fisherman catches monster marlin using handline
Deborah then paid tribute to her close pal, before Melissa - her only child - rounded up the eulogies by reading out a letter she had sent to her mother.
She ended the comical speech with: "I am grateful for everyday Cooper (Joan's grandson) and I have with you. You are an inspiration."
The 60-minute ceremony was drawn to a close by Hollywood hunk Hugh Jackman singing Peter Allen's 'Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage'.
Mourners - including Kelly Osbourne, Sarah Jessica Parker and Whoopi Goldberg - began arriving at the Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan just before 10am today (07.09.14) and lined up outside the synagogue ready for the emotional service.
Joan sadly passed away last Thursday, a week after she was placed in a medically-induced coma at Mount Sinai hospital, following a cardiac and respiratory arrest while undergoing a routine operation on her vocal cords at a private clinic.
