Remembering Iconic Actress, Writer, and Activist Carrie Fisher

Sandra Miska

Carrie Fisher, the actress and writer best known for her role of Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” series, passed away on the morning of Dec. 27 in Los Angeles at age 60. Fisher was on a flight from Los Angeles to London on Dec. 23 when she suffered a heart attack. The tragic news was announced by her 24-year-old daughter, actress Billie Lourd, via her publicist in a statement to People Magazine.

“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly,” says Lourd. “Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Fisher was born in 1956 in Beverly Hills to Hollywood royalty, actors Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. In addition to her screen legend parents, she had three younger siblings who also went into the “family business,” actor/cinematographer Todd Fisher, actress/singer Joely Fisher and actress/singer Tricia Leigh Fisher. Only Eddie Fisher predeceased his daughter, having died in 2010 at 82.

Reynolds, 84, shared some heartfelt words Tuesday on her Facebook page: “Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop.”

In 1975, Fisher made her film debut as a teen fling of Warren Beatty’s in “Shampoo.” Her big break, of course, came two years later when she introduced the character Princess Leia Organa in “Star Wars: A New Hope,” an iconic role she reprised in “The Empire Strikes Back,” “The Return of the Jedi” and in last year’s “The Force Awakens.” She had completed filming her role for the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode VIII” prior to her passing. The character of Leia is considered by many to be a feminist icon and model for strong, adventurous heroines. Other memorable film roles of Fisher’s include that of John Belushi’s vengeful ex in “The Blues Brothers,” Dianne West’s business partner and rival in “Hannah and Her Sisters,” and Meg Ryan’s best friend in “When Harry Met Sally.”

Although known primarily for her work in front of the camera, Fisher was also a prolific writer. In 1987 she released her first book “Postcards from the Edge,” a semi-autobiographical novel about an actress rebuilding her life following a drug overdose, which she went on to adapt into a screenplay for the film of the same name starring Meryl Streep. Fisher went on to pen four more novels and two more screenplays, as well as three memoirs. She also did uncredited script-doctoring work for numerous films, including “Sister Act,” “The Wedding Singer,” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”

Fisher was also no stranger to the stage. At 15, she joined mom Reynolds on Broadway for the musical “Irene.” In 2006, she debuted her one-woman show “Wishful Drinking” at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. The show then toured the country and was adapted into a book.

Fisher was open about her diagnosis of bipolar disorder and struggles with addictions to prescription drugs and cocaine. After first speaking about her battle with mental illness in 2000, she became an activist, working to erase the stigma surrounding depression, anxiety and other disorders.

In her most recent memoir “The Princess Diarist,” she also revealed that she engaged in an affair with Harrison Ford, her “Star Wars’ co-star during the production of the first film. She was also engaged to actor/comedian Dan Aykroyd before a brief marriage to musician Paul Simon in 1983-1984. In the 1990s she had a long-term relationship with talent agent Bryan Lourd, the father of her only child.

Like most outspoken celebrities, Fisher took advantage of social media and expressed herself on Twitter, sharing photos of her dogs, selfies with friends and family members, as well as personal views. Most recently, she expressed her disapproval of the president-elect: “Trump speaking his mind isn’t refreshing, it’s appalling. Coca Cola is refreshing.”