See Melissa Rivers play mom Joan in the film ‘Joy’

Lisa Respers France
By Lisa Respers France, CNN
2 minute read
Published 7:59 AM EST, Wed December 9, 2015
Comedian Joan Rivers died September 4, 2014, a week after suffering cardiac arrest during a medical procedure, her daughter said. She was 81. Click through the gallery to look back at her career.
Comedian Joan Rivers died September 4, 2014, a week after suffering cardiac arrest during a medical procedure, her daughter said. She was 81. Click through the gallery to look back at her career.
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Rivers' big break came in an appearance on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" in 1965. It was the beginning of a relationship that would include dozens of appearances as guest and guest host.
Rivers' big break came in an appearance on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" in 1965. It was the beginning of a relationship that would include dozens of appearances as guest and guest host.
Julian Wasser/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Rivers followed her Carson breakthrough with appearances on talk and variety shows. Ed Sullivan had her as a guest in 1966.
Rivers followed her Carson breakthrough with appearances on talk and variety shows. Ed Sullivan had her as a guest in 1966.
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Rivers hit a peak in the 1980s, headlining in Las Vegas and becoming a regular guest host on the "Tonight Show."
Rivers hit a peak in the 1980s, headlining in Las Vegas and becoming a regular guest host on the "Tonight Show."
Showtime/Everett/REX USA
Rivers is famed for her quick wit, which she often uses against herself.
Rivers is famed for her quick wit, which she often uses against herself.
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Rivers later hosted talk shows of her own. Here, she chats with Dolly Parton.
Rivers later hosted talk shows of her own. Here, she chats with Dolly Parton.
The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
She starred on the daytime "Joan Rivers Show," for which she won a Daytime Emmy, for five seasons, from 1989-1994. Here, she poses with her dog, Spike.
She starred on the daytime "Joan Rivers Show," for which she won a Daytime Emmy, for five seasons, from 1989-1994. Here, she poses with her dog, Spike.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Rivers wanted to be an actress when she was young, and she fulfilled that goal after her success as a comedian -- though sometimes playing herself, as she did on "Nip/Tuck," with Julian McMahon, left, and Dylan Walsh.
Rivers wanted to be an actress when she was young, and she fulfilled that goal after her success as a comedian -- though sometimes playing herself, as she did on "Nip/Tuck," with Julian McMahon, left, and Dylan Walsh.
Warner Bros./Getty Images
Rivers and her daughter, Melissa, have been regulars on awards show red carpets, critiquing celebrity fashion with lines both generous and cutting.
Rivers and her daughter, Melissa, have been regulars on awards show red carpets, critiquing celebrity fashion with lines both generous and cutting.
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Rivers talks with Tim McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, at the Grammys in 2005.
Rivers talks with Tim McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, at the Grammys in 2005.
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Rivers with Tina O'Brien at the British Academy Television Awards in 2007.
Rivers with Tina O'Brien at the British Academy Television Awards in 2007.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Rivers was a star among comedians, admired for her longevity and wit. She attended the Mark Twain Prize ceremony in 2008. The honor that year went to the late George Carlin.
Rivers was a star among comedians, admired for her longevity and wit. She attended the Mark Twain Prize ceremony in 2008. The honor that year went to the late George Carlin.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Kathy Griffin is one of many comedians who can cite Rivers as an influence. Like Rivers, Griffin is known for mocking celebrities at various events. Here, she and Rivers share a stage during a Rivers roast in 2009.
Kathy Griffin is one of many comedians who can cite Rivers as an influence. Like Rivers, Griffin is known for mocking celebrities at various events. Here, she and Rivers share a stage during a Rivers roast in 2009.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Rivers proved herself to be quite the savvy businessperson by winning a season of Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice." Trump and his wife, Melania, join Rivers at the season finale in 2009.
Rivers proved herself to be quite the savvy businessperson by winning a season of Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice." Trump and his wife, Melania, join Rivers at the season finale in 2009.
Brad Barket/Getty Images
Katie Finneran and Rivers attend the Broadway opening after-party of "Promises, Promises" at the Plaza Hotel in New York in 2010.
Katie Finneran and Rivers attend the Broadway opening after-party of "Promises, Promises" at the Plaza Hotel in New York in 2010.
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Rivers, a fashion lover, attends the LensCrafters' reveal of Sunglass Fashion Crimes in 2011.
Rivers, a fashion lover, attends the LensCrafters' reveal of Sunglass Fashion Crimes in 2011.
Andy Kropa/Getty Images for LensCrafters
In February 2013, she attended the Dennis Basso Fall 2013 fashion show. Alongside her, from left, are Martha Stewart, Star Jones and Kelly Bensimon.
In February 2013, she attended the Dennis Basso Fall 2013 fashion show. Alongside her, from left, are Martha Stewart, Star Jones and Kelly Bensimon.
Andy Kropa/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
After a falling-out with Johnny Carson, Rivers didn't return to the "Tonight Show" until earlier this year, when Jimmy Fallon took over as host. She was a guest on Fallon's show on February 17.
After a falling-out with Johnny Carson, Rivers didn't return to the "Tonight Show" until earlier this year, when Jimmy Fallon took over as host. She was a guest on Fallon's show on February 17.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Rivers officiates the wedding of William "Jed" Ryan, left, and Joseph Aiello at the Plaza Athenee on August 15 in New York.
Rivers officiates the wedding of William "Jed" Ryan, left, and Joseph Aiello at the Plaza Athenee on August 15 in New York.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Joan Rivers through the years

Story highlights

Melissa Rivers says director David O. Russell asked her to take the role

She said she stopped looking in the mirror when made up as her mother

CNN  — 

Melissa Rivers looks so much like her mother, Joan, that even she couldn’t believe it.

The younger Rivers is playing her late mom in the new film “Joy.” People magazine shared some exclusive photos of the younger Rivers made up to look like the comedy legend, and the resemblance is striking.

Joan Rivers, 81, died in September 2014, a week after an appointment at Manhattan’s Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic. An investigation found that the cause of death was “anoxic encephalopathy due to hypoxic arrest,” a medical description of brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen.

“Joy” stars Jennifer Lawrence as a character inspired by real-life entrepreneur Joy Mangano, who became a millionaire thanks to inventions including the Miracle Mop and Huggable Hangers. The film co-stars Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro and is directed by David O. Russell.

Rivers said it was the director’s idea to cast her as her mother in scenes showing Joan Rivers on the shopping network QVC. The younger Rivers told People that even she was taken aback by how much she resembled her mother once she was made up.

“I think I was more freaked out in the hair and makeup tests than I was once I got on set,” Rivers said. “It was bizarre. I stopped looking in a mirror.”

It’s not the first time Rivers has subbed for her mother. In August, she took over Joan Rivers’ gig as a host on the E! show “Fashion Police.”

“Joy” arrives in theaters on December 25.