Joan Rivers' Most Iconic Hair Looks Prove You Can Get Even More Fabulous As You Age

Joan Rivers was a one-of-a-kind comedian who rose to fame in the early 1960s for her biting commentary and self-deprecating jokes. Before building a career on her dark humor, she worked as a retail fashion coordinator. However, Rivers skyrocketed to fame after she was invited to appear on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1965. The guest appearance led to her becoming the host of "That Show with Joan Rivers" in 1968. She later received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1990.

Not only did she have roots in clothing retail, Rivers made a lasting impact on the industry by bridging the gap between Hollywood and the fashion world. While reporting from the red carpet at the 1994 Golden Globes, Rivers asked attendees, "Who are you wearing?" — an iconic phrase that would forever intertwine the comedian with fashion. Rivers kept one foot in the fashion industry throughout the rest of her career, eventually curating her own jewelry, clothing, and makeup products for shopping channel QVC and hosting the TV show "Fashion Police" from 2010 to 2014.

More than 10 years after her death in 2014, she is still remembered for her extravagant clothing choices and her signature hair looks that prove women can get even more fabulous with age. Over the years, her hair evolved from '60s-inspired voluminous styles into platinum-blond bobs that exuded Hollywood glamour.

In 1967, one year before she was offered her very own show, Rivers donned micro bangs and an ultra-short bob. The choppy look proves the comedian was fashion-forward even before her big break, considering that micro bangs, better known as "baby bangs," have made their way back in 2026 (though some would argue it's a hair trend that's outdated). The short fringe was popularized by Hollywood superstars like Audrey Hepburn, but in recent years, they have been worn by the likes of singer-songwriter Lily Allen and actor Zoë Kravitz.

While the side fringe is back from its early-aughts grave and better than ever, Joan Rivers was rocking the look way back in 1985. The sweeping fringe was a signature style for fashionistas in the '80s, and of course, the comedian was right on-trend. In a 1985 portrait, Rivers' accessories included crystal-clad star earrings and her beloved pup, Spike. By this point, she was well into her career and had started to build quite the reputation, not only for her fabulous bouffants, but also for her love for her dogs.

Rivers was a regular guest host on "The Tonight Show" in the mid-'80s. She kept her tresses voluminous throughout a decade characterized by statement fashion choices and bold hairstyles. Unlike other trend-chasers, who embraced highly-teased and crimped hairstyles, Rivers maintained a softer and more glamorous approach. By this point, the comedian had dropped the side-fringe and returned to bangs instead. She couldn't have looked more glamorous as she hosted the show wearing a blazer embellished with sparkling lapels and cuffs. Her hair had also been perfectly rollered, expertly framing her crystal earrings.

Things only got bigger and better for Rivers in the early '90s. Posing for a portrait in 1990, the comedian's hair was even more enormous. With her curly blond blowout and red lipstick, she was the epitome of Hollywood glamour. In a big update to her hair, Rivers ditched the fringe completely, creating a more dramatic look and showing off her captivating features. She kicked off the decade in a big way, taking home an Emmy Award, earning a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and debuting this extra-glam hair upgrade. Celebrities were increasingly wearing straighter styles at this time, so River's choice to enlarge her signature bouffant, is a good example of her bucking trends.

Rivers showed up to the 2000 "FiFi" Fragrance Awards wearing a slicked updo. Her look was as sleek as it was fabulous, especially when paired with a string of pearls and red lipstick. The elegant soft bun was a unique style for the comedian, who was previously known for volume. While many A-listers embraced the edgier hair trends of the time, sometimes accessorizing with clips and headbands, Rivers knew she didn't need to follow suit to appear fabulous. By wearing her hair in a chic updo, the comedian looked more sophisticated than ever.

At the 2001 Primetime Emmy Awards, Rivers proved she could make anything look glamorous. The comedian, then 67 years old, stunned the crowd when she turned up to the red carpet with a pixie cut. In her book "Don't Count the Candles," Rivers addressed the inevitability of aging and encouraged other women to see how they, too, can embrace the fabulousness of getting older. Rivers believed that women look better later in life with short hair, and so, after advising other mature ladies to rethink long tresses, she chopped hers off as well.

At the 2004 Golden Globes, it seemed Rivers' style had only gotten more fabulous. The comedian turned up to the event clad in an embellished jacket with a fur collar. Her statement crystal necklace was impossible to ignore, and her wispy bob drew attention to it. The layered cut, featuring feathered, flicked ends, remained her signature red carpet hairstyle for years. The choppy bob has been celebrated for its effortless flair, while still adding volume and appearing chic. Rivers may have entered her 70s, but her age didn't stop her from being stylish.

As her hair grew out, Rivers started to rock a lob, a cut that hits the sweet spot between bobs and shoulder-length. The comedian knew what she was doing, and she styled the youthful, medium-length haircut with a side-swept fringe and flipped edges. This was a look that Rivers favored for the rest of her life, and it's not a bad cut to settle on. Platinum blond lobs have made a comeback in recent years, with Sabrina Carpenter's glamorous Marilyn Monroe-inspired style in 2025 being a notable example. 

Rivers occasionally experimented with fabulous updos and hairpieces. In an interview with W in 2011, the comedian revealed she had a personal stylist. "My hair is washed everyday and done everyday," she said. While she rarely wore hair accessories, per say, Rivers admitted to using hair pieces to cover her thinning locks. "I'm very much into pieces," the comedian boasted. She also advocated for using a fill-in powder from her makeup brand, Joan Rivers Beauty, to offset the hair loss that often comes with aging. "For ladies with thin hair, it makes your hair thicker and takes the shine off the scalp," she said. Leave it to the ultimate funny fashion icon to find new ways to look fabulous at any age.