“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly,”
— Billie Lourd
Iconic actress Carrie Fisher, best known for her portrayal of Princess Leia in Star Wars has passed today, at the age of 60.
The family spokesman Simon Hall issued a statement on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, regarding Fisher’s passing; “It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” The statement says; “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly,” and “Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
It was just a few days ago, the 23rd of December, that the world learned of Fisher’s heart attack, suffered in flight while she traveled from London to the airport in Los Angeles, California. She was transported from the airport, unconscious, and had remained in the hospital since that day. That she was doing well and recovering was the follow up to that initial report.
So it is with great surprise and shock that today’s events have unfolded the way they have. Already, celebrities, fans and the world are mourning her loss grieving. Mark Hamill took to Twitter; “no words #Devastated” He said, sadly. Peter Mayhew, the actor who brought Chewbacca to life also tweeted; “There are no words for this loss. Carrie was the brightest light in every room she entered. I will miss her dearly.” C3P0 – Anthony Daniels – said; “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.” Lando Calrissian – Billy Dee Williams also tweeted this message “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!”
The daughter of famed actress Debbie Reynolds, Fisher was seemingly destined to become a star in her own right. She first starred in the movie Shampoo alongside Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn in 1975. Just two years later – 1977 – a nineteen year old Fisher starred as Princess Leia in Star Wars, a role that would define her career and carry the actress to a stardom, and astronomic level of fame and propel her to the status of an icon within the Star Wars fan universe. The words “Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” are words still quoted and celebrated to this day. She reprised the role numerous times: 1978’s Star Wars Holiday Special, 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, 1983’s Return of the Jedi, 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the upcoming 2017 movie Star Wars: Episode VIII.
She was open and outspoken on her personal life, from the alcohol and substance abuse, to mental health issues and even her relationships with Harrison Ford and Paul Simon. Much of this was talked about in her recently released memoir “The Princess Diarist”
It was, in part, these troubles that humanized the actress and made her relatable and approachable. It gave her a source from which to pull her incredible talent.
Our Princess, Carrie Fisher, was loved. She will truly be missed.
Great read! So sad of the passing.