One photo captures comedy's loss

When Robin Williams died on August 11, fellow comedian Joan Rivers tweeted a photo of them side by side.

“Robin genuinely made me laugh and was one of the "good guys." I’ll miss him and his wonderful spirit,” she wrote.

Less than a month later, Joan Rivers has herself passed away – the image she shared a lasting reminder of comedy's recent loss.

Rivers died in New York overnight aged 81, a week after she stopped breathing during a medical procedure on her vocal cords at a private clinic.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 pm surrounded by family and close friends," daughter Melissa Rivers said.

Melissa and grandson Cooper had kept a vigil at Rivers' bedside since flying in from Los Angeles as soon as she fell ill.

"My mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh," her daughter added, in a statement.

"Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon."