Carrie Fisher, the actress best known for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” saga, has died following a heart attack last week. She was 60.
“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” said a statement released by the family’s spokesman. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
Fisher was author, screenwriter, playwright, and actor, but was always best known for Princess Leia, a role she played four times on screen, excluding the “Star Wars Holiday Special” and other appearances. The young embodiment of the actor recently appeared in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”; her likeness was CGI-rendered for the film to match her age and appearance in “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
Fisher struggled with alcoholism and addiction, and suffered from depression and bipolar disorder over her life. After “Star Wars,” she was perhaps best known for “Postcards From The Edge,” the screenplay based on her own semi-autobiographical novel about battling substance abuse.
The film starred Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, and Dennis Quaid and was directed by the late Mike Nichols. Streep was nominated for her performance as the Fisher surrogate, and the writer herself was nominated at the BAFTAs that year for Best Adapted Screenplay. Fisher was also nominated twice for two Primetime Emmys: in 2010 for her comedy special “Wishful Drinking” and as a guest actress on “30 Rock” in 2006.
Fisher also wrote several books, including novels such as “Surrender The Pink” and “The Best Awful” and non-fiction works such as “Shockaholic” and the aforementioned “Wishful Drinking” and “The Princess Diarist.” Her screenplays included “These Old Broads,” and she was known for script-doctoring screenplays for “Last Action Hero,” “Sister Act” and “The Wedding Singer.”
The actor was also known for role in Hal Ashby’s “Shampoo” (her debut film role) (1975), “The Blues Brothers” (1980), “Hannah And Her Sisters” (1986), “The ‘Burbs” (1989), and “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989). “Star Wars: A New Hope” was her second major film role.
Fisher inspired generations of moviegoers, and she will be deeply missed.
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/rianjohnson/status/813860465256169472
Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president, on Carrie Fisher's death: "She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us" pic.twitter.com/5RQmWRsZbR
— ABC News (@ABC) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/SteveKopack/status/813817491675869185
Harrison Ford on Carrie Fisher: "She lived her life, bravely." pic.twitter.com/VNGG691wjC
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) December 27, 2016
no words #Devastated pic.twitter.com/R9Xo7IBKmh
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) December 27, 2016
#StarWars creator George Lucas on the death of Carrie Fisher: "She was extremely smart; a talented actress, writer & comedienne." pic.twitter.com/ijxE4gN9Qw
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 28, 2016
I thought I had got what I wanted under the tree. I didn't. In spite of so many thoughts and prayers from so many. I am very, very sad.
— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) December 27, 2016
I'm deeply saddened at the news of Carrie's passing. She was a dear friend, whom I greatly respected and admired. The force is dark today!
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/813821182717743104
Goodnight, Sweet Princess. Thank you for so many happy memories, your heroics, your art and your friendship… https://t.co/5hBAKY3zUX pic.twitter.com/JtuvcevpWK
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) December 27, 2016
Carrie Fisher. Cannot believe that you're 'gone'. Funny funny and then some. 💔💔XXX pic.twitter.com/DV6GQC1lcx
— Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) December 27, 2016
R.I.P. Carrie Fisher. A brilliantly funny, talented woman. We will miss your humor now more than ever.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/isDARTHVADER/status/813826559211606016
There are no words for this loss. Carrie was the brightest light in every room she entered. I will miss her dearly. pic.twitter.com/GgIeYGeMt9
— Peter Mayhew Foundation (@TheWookieeRoars) December 27, 2016
