At the age of 77, Joan Rivers is still a force to reckon with.

A true Renaissance woman, Rivers has built an illustrious career as comedienne, actress, author, talk show host, playwright, screenwriter, film director, columnist, lecturer, syndicated radio host, jewelry designer, cosmetic company entrepreneur, red carpet fashion guru and businesswoman.

Rivers will bring her “cutting edge comedy” to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland on Jan. 8.

After seven years on the comedy circuit, Rivers gained national acclaim with her appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1968. According to her official biography, she also “made television history as the first sole guest host of ‘The Tonight Show.’”

Even with four decades in the entertainment industry, Rivers hasn’t slowed down. In the past two years, she was the finalist of NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” released two best-selling books (“Men Are Stupid and They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery” and “Murder at the Academy Awards: A Red Carpet Murder Mystery”) and starred in the documentary “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.”

According to film critic Roger Ebert, “The way she [Rivers] is funny is, she tells the truth according to herself. She hates some people. She has political opinions. Her observations are so merciless and her timing so precise that even if you like that person, you laugh. She is a sadist of comedy, unafraid to be cruel — even too cruel. She doesn’t know fear. She seems to be curious about how far she can go and still get a laugh.”

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8. The Oregon Symphony will open, conducted by Gerald Steichen. The program features Jule Styne’s “Overture to Gypsy” and music from Mel Brooks’ “The Producers.”

Ticket prices range from $23 to $123, depending on seat location. To purchase tickets, visit www.orsymphony .org or contact 800-228-7343.

For more information on Joan Rivers, visit www.joanrivers.com.