Melissa Rivers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melissa Rivers
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Rivers during New York Fashion Week in 2012
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| Born |
Melissa Warburg Rosenberg
January 20, 1968 New York City, U.S.
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| Other names | Melissa Endicott |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Television host, producer, actress |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Television | Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?, Fashion Police |
| Spouse(s) |
John Endicott
(m. 1998; div. 2003)Steve Mitchel
(m. 2025) |
| Partner(s) |
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| Children | 1 |
| Parents |
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Melissa Warburg Rosenberg (born January 20, 1968), known as Melissa Rivers, is an American television host and actress. She is the only child of famous comedian Joan Rivers and producer Edgar Rosenberg.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Melissa Warburg Rosenberg was born in New York City on January 20, 1968. She spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles, California. She went to several schools, including the John Thomas Dye School and The Buckley School.
Melissa started dancing when she was 8 years old. By age 12, she was taking private lessons and was very serious about it. She later attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in history in 1989. In 1990, she began using her mother's stage name, becoming known as Melissa Rivers.
Television Career
Melissa Rivers has had many roles in television shows. She appeared in Beverly Hills 90210, Silk Stalkings, and The Comeback. She also acted in the TV movie Men in White (1998) and the film The Big Tease (1999).
Melissa and her mother, Joan Rivers, played themselves in the 1994 TV movie Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story.
Red Carpet Host
In the early 1990s, Melissa became well-known for interviewing celebrities on the red carpet before major awards shows. She worked for the E! Network, hosting popular specials like Oh Baby! Melissa’s Guide to Pregnancy and Oh Toddler! Surviving the Early Years.
In 2003, Melissa and Joan Rivers moved from E! to the TV Guide Channel to continue their red carpet interviews. Melissa also appeared on the reality show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! on ABC.
Producing and Hosting Shows
Melissa was a co-creator and co-producer of her mother's YouTube show, In Bed with Joan. This show featured Joan interviewing celebrities in her bed, with Melissa asking questions at the end. Famous guests included Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman, and Kelly Osbourne.
Since August 31, 2015, Melissa Rivers has been a co-host on the show Fashion Police.
Charity Work
Melissa Rivers is also known for her charity work. In 2003, she appeared in an ad campaign for PETA. The campaign encouraged people to choose fake fur to protect animals.
She raised $100,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation from her appearance on the ABC show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Live in 2006. In 2008, she and her mother won $50,000 for their charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind, on the game show Celebrity Family Feud.
Melissa also played for the Lili Claire Foundation on the reality show Celebrity Apprentice. She raised $22,250 for Alzheimer's disease research on a special celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Personal Life
Melissa Rivers married horse trainer John Endicott in December 1998. They had a son named Edgar Cooper Endicott in 2000. The couple divorced in 2003. Her son, Edgar, appeared with Melissa and her mother on the reality show Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?.
Melissa was in a relationship with sports coach Jason Zimmerman from 2008 to 2011. From 2015 to 2021, she was in a relationship with talent agent Mark Rousso.
In 2022, Melissa met attorney Steve Mitchel. They got engaged in October 2023 and were married on March 15, 2025, in Jackson Hole.
In January 2025, her home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
Film and TV Appearances
| Year | Film / TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Rabbit Test | Little girl | Feature film |
| 1991 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Mackenzie | Episode: "Fame Is Where You Find It" |
| 1993 | MTV Spring Break '93 Blind Date | Host | with Jon Stewart |
| 1994 | Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story | Herself | Television film |
| 1998 | Men in White | Female Reporter #1 | Television film |
| 1999 | Silk Stalkings | Tegan Cook | Episode: "A Clockwork Florida Orange" |
| 1999 | The Big Tease | Dianne Abbott | Television film |
| 2000 | Best Actress | Herself | Television film |
| 2001 | Just Shoot Me! | Herself | Episode: "Sugar Momma" |
| 2004 | Out for Blood | Talk Show Host | Direct-to-video |
| 2004 | Dave the Barbarian | Princess Irmaplotz (voice) | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
| 2003–2017 | Fashion Police | Herself | Executive producer; 112 episodes Host; 31 episodes |
| 2005 | The L Word | Herself | Cameo Appearance; 1 episode "Lagrimos de Oro" |
| 2005 | I Love the '80s 3-D | Herself | Episode: "1989" |
| 2007–2008 | Jury Duty | Herself | Guest star; 5 episodes |
| 2009 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Herself | Guest star; 4 episodes |
| 2009–2015 | The Apprentice | Herself | Host; 12 episodes |
| 2010 | Cubed | Human Resource Rep | Guest star |
| 2011–2013 | Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? | Herself | Co-executive producer; 26 episodes Main cast; 34 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | In Bed with Joan | Herself | Executive producer; 71 episodes Guest star; 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Joy | Joan Rivers | Feature film |
| 2016–2023 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Chef's table guest diner for the blue team in Season 16 Guest diner in Season 22 |
Honors
- On March 1, 2013, Melissa Rivers and her mother, Joan Rivers, were honored by the Ride of Fame. A special double-decker tour bus was dedicated to them in New York City.
See also
In Spanish: Melissa Rivers para niños
