As entertainer Joan Rivers fights for her life in a New York hospital, many Chicagoans who've met and worked with the comic are praying she pulls through.
Rivers' family confirmed Tuesday that Rivers is on life support after going into cardiac arrest last week during a procedure at a doctor's office.
Bill Rancic's wife, Guiliana, cohosts "Fashion Police" with Rivers on E!, and he spoke to NBC 5 about her condition Tuesday.
"We've been praying and keeping Joan and Melissa in our prayers. Joan's been like a second mother to Giuliana, a mentor and they work together. Fingers crossed that everything is going to be OK," Rancic said.
Rivers was in Chicago a few weeks ago speaking at the Standard Club. Guests at the event say she was on her feet for more than two hours fielding questions about her new book.
"She was entertaining," Standard Club president Alison Pure-Slovin said. "She didn't miss a beat. It was hard to understand that a woman her age was standing there entertaining us the way that she did."
Rivers was also in the area last spring, performing standup for a fundraiser in Deerfield.
"She was just hysterical. Everybody was falling off their chairs the whole night," said Emily Israel Hoffman of the Renee Israel Foundation. "I said I don't think I'm as spunky and as witty and have as much energy as she does. She's unbelievable."
Rivers remains in stable, yet critical, condition.
