By JORIE MEIL- Carrie Fisher, the beloved actress well known for her work in the Star Wars series shockingly passed away at the age of 60 on December 27, 2016 at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Fisher was an actress, author, and all-around inspirational woman.
Fisher’s fame was mainly attributed to her performances in the Star Wars films. She played Princess Leia, a member of the Imperial Senate, and an agent of the Rebel Alliance. Fisher wrote a book about her experience on playing this character called The Princess Diarist. This memoir came out shortly before her death, and she died shortly after coming back from a press tour in London for her book. Senior Bricelyn Webber says, “She played Princess Leia, who was a very pivotal female heroine; she sort of taught girls that they can kick butt without a man helping them.”
Although Fisher is most famous for her work in Star Wars, she had many other successful films. She made her film debut in 1975 in a movie called Shampoo. She was also in the movie The Blues Brothers in 1980, as well as When Harry Met Sally in 1989.
Alongside being an accomplished actress, Fisher was a successful writer. She wrote twelve books, a one-woman play called Wishful Drinking (that she performed herself), and many screen plays. Some of her books include her most recent The Princess Diarist, Postcards from the Edge, and Shockaholic. Fisher’s one-woman show and book Wishful Drinking was a hit on the Broadway stage.
Fisher did not always have it easy. She struggled with bipolar disorder, yet her experiences shaped her into an amazing woman. Fisher took her troubles and used them to help others by becoming an advocate for issues concerning mental health disorders. Her official website has a page that gives information on her work with mental health, and also has sources for people to get help if they are struggling.
Fisher’s mother, actress and singer Debbie Reynolds, died the day after her daughter at age 84. Her heart was physically weakened by the death of her daughter and it proved too much and she suffered a stroke. Reynolds last words were “I want to be with Carrie,” and were spoken to her son Todd Fisher. Reynolds was very famous in her time, starring in movies such as Singing in the Rain and Tommy and the Bachelor. A sophomore Jess Morse says, “It was just devastating that two wonderful actresses were gone in a matter of two days.”
Fisher’s memory lives on with her siblings Todd, Joely, and Tricia Fisher. Fisher also had a daughter with her ex-husband Bryan Lourd. Her daughter Billie Catherine Lourd is also an actress. Her most well-known performance is in the horror comedy television series Scream Queens.
Carrie Fisher will be missed by family, friends, and fans all over. A documentary about the lives of Fisher and Reynolds will soon be aired on HBO. Broadway theaters all dimmed the lights on their marquees in honor of both actresses. A freshman Will Ferguson says, “Carrie is one of those characters you see in your childhood and can only think of as the character they made famous. They have a timeless existence and it’s shocking when that abruptly ends.”
Carrie Fisher is was an amazing actress that will be missed on film and in life.
