so full of life. so full of jokes. >> amber's outfit is almost as tacky as amber's seat was when she got up at the end of the show. >> reporter: still making people laugh. the iconic, groundbreaking and often controversial comic who managed to remain relevant for a half century, died less than a week after being rushed by an ambulance to mt. sinai hospital in new york city. she suffered cardiac arrest during throat surgery at an outpatient clinic and never regained consciousness. daughter melissa broke the news of her mother's passing to the world in a heartfelt statement. my mother's greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. although that is difficult to do right now. she was nowhere near done. for decades she entertained us. >> can we talk? >> reporter: with that signature line. >> can we talk? can we talk? >> reporter: a woman who spent literally a lifetime performing from her start in stand-up.