The actress responsible for bringing Princess Leia to our screens, Carrie Fisher, has passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 60.
Fisher’s passing comes after the actress reportedly suffered heart trouble on a flight from London to Los Angeles only four days ago. Debbie Reynolds, an actress and Fisher’s mother, tweeted that Fisher’s condition was stable only yesterday, although celebrity website TMZ reported that since suffering a heart attack mid-air, she was unresponsive and remained so after being transferred to UCLA Medical Centre.
Fisher’s career on the silver screen first began in 1975 when she debuted in Shampoo, a satirical romance comedy with Goldie Hawn and Warren Beatty. She would then go on to take her most recognised role in 1977, starring as Princess Leia in A New Hope (although at the time it was simply titled Star Wars).
Carrie Fisher has passed, she was funnier&smarter than anyone had the right to be. Sail On Silver Girl. Condolences Debbie & Billie
R.I.P.— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) December 27, 2016
While she would go on to reprise her iconic role in the Star Wars franchise up until her death, Fisher’s career also extended to television, Broadway, as well as writing and producing. Postcards from the Edge, a semi-autobiographical tale about an actress piecing together her life after a drug overdose, was released in 1987 and drew from Fisher’s own career, experiences with cocaine and growing up with a famous Hollywood mother.
The play received critical acclaim, and Fisher herself adapted the novel three years later into a film staring Merryl Streep, Gene Hackman, Dennis Quaid and Shirley MacLaine.
“I like performing. I like partnering with an audience” RIP Carrie Fisher pic.twitter.com/kAysFMnjy7
— Nina Garcia (@ninagarcia) December 27, 2016
Fisher also developed a reputation in Hollywood in the early 90’s and 2000’s for working as a script doctor, a screenwriter/playwright hired by productions to rewrite or polish up parts of a script. An Entertainment Weekly piece on Whoopi Goldberg in 1992 listed Fisher as one of the top script doctors in Hollywood.
According to The Independent, Fisher helped touch up some of the 90’s biggest hits, including The Wedding Singer, Sister Act, Hook and Lethal Weapon 3. She would also contribute to the world of video games later on in life, performing voice over work for the original Dishonored and LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
She was set to feature in Wonderwell next year, and will appear once more in her role as leader of the Rebels in Star Wars: Episode VIII.
Fisher’s passing has reverberated around the world, with Hollywood taking to social media to grieve and offer their condolences for the loss of such a great talent.
no words #Devastated pic.twitter.com/R9Xo7IBKmh
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) 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
The light in The Galaxy is dimmed by the loss of our Princess Leia. May The Force Be With Her!! RIP
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) December 27, 2016
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