Actor, writer and activist Carrie Fisher has died after suffering a heart attack during a flight from London to Los Angeles. Fans and fellow stars have turned to social media to express their condolences.
Image: picture-alliance/Captital Pictures
Advertisement
'Star Wars' icon Carrie Fisher dies at age of 60
01:07
This browser does not support the video element.
Fisher's publicist, Simon Halls, made the announcement of her death on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through fans and Hollywood stars alike.
The family spokesman released a statement on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd.
"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 read.
Fisher was being treated in UCLA Medical Center after suffering a heart attack on a transatlantic flight.Image: Getty Images/D. Kambouris
"She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers."
The 60-year-old Fisher was best known for playing the role of Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise.
She was being treated in UCLA Medical Center after suffering a cardiac arrest on an 11-hour flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday. The actress was reportedly in London to film season three of the Amazon sitcom Catastrophe.
Tributes to the 'great and powerful princess'
Fans, friends and industry figures shared their sorrow on social media.
Mark Hamill, who played Fisher's twin brother Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, said he had "no words" and was "devastated" by the news of her death.
Star Wars co-star Harrison Ford said Fisher "was one-of-a-kind ... brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life, bravely."
The franchise's creator George Lucas said she was Star Wars' "great and powerful princess - feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people might think."
Carrie Fisher's half-sister Joely Fisher tweeted that her sister's death was an "unfathomable loss...the earth is off its axis today...how dare you take her away from us."
Actor Whoopi Goldberg said on Twitter that Fisher was "funnier and smarter than anyone had the right to be. Sail On Silver Girl."
Television talk show host Ellen DeGeneres posted a video of Fisher's appearance on her show on Twitter, saying that Fisher "was a brilliant writer, actor, and friend."
One heartbreaking tribute came from the Twitter account of the late actor's dog, Gary. "I was always by your side but best of all you were always by mine," a tweet from Gary's account read. Fisher's canine companion was never far from her side, accompanying her to movie premieres and television interviews.
Besides the Star Wars franchise, she played notable roles in Shampoo, The Blues Brothers, Hannah and Her Sisters, When Harry Met Sally, Family Guy and 30 Rock.
She was born in 1956 to actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. She is survived by her mother, daughter, brother and two half-sisters.
'I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight'
Fisher was known not only for her acting, but also for her witty writing and razor-sharp humor. In several best-selling books she wrote about her time as Princess Leia as well as her struggles with addiction and mental illness.
In her 2008 memoir "Wishful Drinking," Fisher recounted how George Lucas told her that she couldn't wear a bra under her white dress because "there's no underwear in space," explaining that a woman could be strangled by her bra in the weightlessness of space.
Fisher wrote that his explanation would make for a "fantastic obit," adding: "I tell my younger friends that no matter how I go, I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight, strangled by my own bra."
In her recent book, "The Princess Diarist," Fisher detailed the brief fling she had with Harrison Ford while filming Star Wars - at the time, Ford was 15 years older than Fisher and married.
When recently asked by NPR why she decided to publish the story now, she joked that she couldn't hold back any longer because Ford refused to die.
"I kept calling and saying, when are you going to die because I want to tell the story?" Fisher said. She was often toughest on herself, using her writing to turn the trauma of addiction and mental health into humor.
Actor Margaret Cho commented on what Fisher's death means to those battling mental health issues, writing on Twitter: "We just lost a great ally for mental health and addiction. Be strong, be as strong as she'd want you to be."
Goodbye Princess Leia: A tribute to 'Star Wars' actress Carrie Fisher
To moviegoers around the world, she is forever known as Princess Leia. But Carrie Fisher also appeared in several other cult movies, such as "Blues Brothers" and "When Harry Met Sally." DW looks back at her roles.
Image: picture-alliance/Zuma/L. Ortiz
Iconic role: Princess Leia
This is how we knew her, and it's how we will always remember her - as Leia Organa, leader of the rebellion against the Empire. Fisher played the role for the first time when she was just 19. In six "Star Wars" segments (including "Rogue One") she filled the role of the courageous Princess with life.
In "Shampoo" (1975) Fisher appeared on the big screen for the first time. In this comedy, she seduces Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy (played by Warren Beatty). "Shampoo" received one Academy Award along with several more Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Later, Fisher decried that Beatty had asked her to act in front of the camera without a bra.
Image: picture-alliance/Mary Evans Picture Library/R. Grant
A breakthrough: Star Wars
A mere two years later, Fisher plays Princess Leia for the first time. In "Star Wars episode IV: A New Hope" she and droid R2-D2 (pictured) try to neutralize the devastating Death Star (a moon-shaped space station). That film received a whopping six Oscars - and Carrie Fisher would be part of a highly successful ensemble cast from now on.
Image: Imago/United Archives
Famous siblings
Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill shared screentime in three "Star Wars" installments, playing twins Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker, respectively. Their last collaboration was "Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi," which was released in 2017. Hamill has expressed deep sadness over the loss of his colleague.
Image: picture-alliance/Captital Pictures
A powerful trio: Han Solo, Leia, Luke Skywalker
Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) is not a volunteer but is rather dragged into the mission of saving the galaxy. However, Luke, Leia and the smuggler-turned-rebel leader develop into a powerful alliance. This "Star Wars" episode also marked Harrison Ford's breakthrough in Hollywood.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo
Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Fisher had an on-and-off relationship with Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel fame). They were even married for two years (1983-4). Simon's song "Hearts and Bones" is a tribute to his relationship with the actress.
Image: Getty Images/Keystone
New terrain
In 1980, Fisher switched from the "Star Wars" set to that of "Blues Brothers." In this legendary comedy, Fisher played the ex-girlfriend of protagonist Jake (John Belushi). She fires at him with an assault rifle for walking out on her. Allegedly, there was a cocaine bar on the set, and Fisher's job was to keep Belushi away from the drugs.
Image: picture-alliance/Universal Pictures/R. Gran
Return of the Jedi (1983)
In several "Star Wars" segments, the droid C-3PO - a human robot - acted as Princess Leia's companion - including her imprisonment as a slave to evil Jabba the Hutt. The talkative robot was brought to life by actor Anthony Daniels.
Image: imago/AD
War against the Galactic Empire
Another member of the "Star Wars" combat team led by Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia was Chewbacca. The furry Chewie, a member of the Wookiee species, is played by Peter Mayhew, an actor who is 2,21m (over seven feet) tall. When Fisher had suffered her heart attack, Mayhew posted a tweet headlined, "Thoughts and prayers for our friend and everyone's favorite princess right now."
Image: imago/EntertainmentPictures
"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)
1989 saw Fisher appearing in another comedy: "When Harry Met Sally." She played Marie, the best friend of heroine Sally (Meg Ryan). In the movie, she has a brief relationship with Harry (Billy Crystal) before eventually marrying his friend Jess (Bruno Kirby).
Image: picture-alliance/Castle Rock Entertainment/Rona
"Episode VII: The Force Awakens" (2015)
Han Solo and Princess Leia have a son, Kylo Ren, who has deserted to the other side and become a dark warrior of the Force. She continues to lead the rebellion, including the one against the New Order. Fisher and Harrison Ford were not just close as film characters. In her autobiography, "The Princess Diarist" (2016) she mentions details of the affair they had during the 1976 filming.
Image: picture-alliance/Captital Pictures/CAP/KFS
Carrie Fisher as writer
In addition to her acting career, Fisher published a total of eight books, including five novels. Lately, she published her autobiography, "The Princess Diarist" - her third memoir after "Wishful Drinking" and "Shockaholic."
Image: picture-alliance/Newscom/D. Edwards
The fight against drugs
Suffering from a bipolar disorder and drug addiction herself, Fisher kept adressing psychic illnesses and addictions. In 2016 she received a Harvard University "Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism" for her public engagement. On 27 December, she passed away after complications arising from a massive heart attack.
Image: imago/EntertainmentPictures
Death of an Actress
Carrie Fisher passed away on the morning of 27 December, 2016, as a result of a severe heart attack suffered a few days before. She had collapsed on a long-distance flight from London prior to touchdown in Los Angeles and had received treatment at UCLA Medical Center. According to media reports she had just finished work on the British sitcom "Catastrophe."
