Joan Rivers: 'Stand Up' stars pay tribute

Hollywood stars hit the Dolby Theatre for Friday night's Stand Up to Cancer event to raise awareness for cancer, but the passing of Joan Rivers dominated the discussion.

On the red carpet, Mad Men star Jon Hamm recalled fondly watching Rivers' comic early days on The Tonight Show and called her Sept. 4 death "a blow."

"She has a unique voice and she was always funny. She worked hard up until the day we lost her, honestly. It's a devastating loss," said Hamm. "Man, it just hurts. My heart goes out to her family and all of her fans. I am one of them."

Katie Couric also talked about the early days with Rivers, seeing her in black-and-white footage as she gained national prominence.

"There's that moment where she went from obscurity to where everything changed. It's so inspiring," said Couric. "It's fate and hard work and how intrepid she was. Joan Rivers has become such a part of the American fabric. And was so present for so many years. That's why it's a shock that's she gone."

Couric noted the performer Rivers' would be touched by the attention and accolades.

"It's wonderful to see the tributes," said Couric. "Joan would be loving it."

Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson recalled taking his spouse Justin Mikita to Rivers' home for Passover dinner.

"So we all went around the table and talked about what we did for a living. My husband had just passed the bar exam and he said he was going to be a lawyer," said Ferguson. "Joan stood up, shook the table and said 'Elijah approves.' I just loved her. She was a very good friend."

Even social trailblazer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gave props for the female stand-up comic who fought her way into the male-dominated world.

"I appreciated that she opened doors. That's so important. There are so many doors closed for unjustifiable reasons," said Abdul-Jabbar. "She was steadfast in making change occur and I have so much respect for her for that reason."

Actress Marg Helgenberger said she frequently ran into Rivers on red carpets where the fashion-critic would give commentary on gowns.

"(Rivers) mispronounced my name, but she never trashed what I was wearing," said Helgenberger. "I always admired her. She was a trailblazer. Fashion is going to be much less funny without her around."