Carrie Fisher, the actress from Hollywood royalty best known for playing Star Wars' iconic Princess Leia, has died at age 60.
- Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher has died at age 60
- She was best known as Princess Leia Organa
- Fisher suffered cardiac emergency on flight 2 days before Christmas
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Her daughter, Billie Lourd, released a statement through a publicist confirming her death. Lourd said her mom was "loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly."
Fisher experienced a cardiac emergency Dec. 23, on a flight from London to Los Angeles. She was treated by paramedics immediately after the plane landed, according to several news reports. She had been hospitalized since then.
Celebrity website TMZ, which first reported the medical emergency, said she suffered a heart attack.
Over the weekend, the actress was showered with well-wishes, from fans to family to friends. Peter Mayhew, who played "Star Wars" character Chewbacca, called her "everyone's favorite princess right now."
And Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo opposite Fisher, in a statement said: "I'm shocked and saddened to hear the news about my dear friend. Our thoughts are with Carrie, her family and friends."
Soon after the announcement of her death, tributes poured in on social media.
Breaking my silence with a broken π heart...the Unfathomable loss...the earth is off its axis today...how dare you take her away from us pic.twitter.com/fUHwsHRwyy
β Joely Fisher (@MsJoelyFisher) December 27, 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.
β 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!
β Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) December 27, 2016
Carrie always made me smile to be around her. My heartfelt condolence to all her family. #carriefisher https://t.co/e5VNvser9h
β Joe Mantegna (@JoeMantegna) December 27, 2016There 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
β Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) December 27, 2016
"Our beautiful brilliant funny wise kind and generous Blues Sister -so ironic - Xmas was Carrie's favorite thing next to babies."
β Dan Aykroyd (@dan_aykroyd) December 27, 2016
β Bad Robot (@bad_robot) December 27, 2016
Star Wars creator George Lucas joined other top execs for Lucasfilm and Disney in remembering Fisher on the official Star Wars website.
Lucas called Fisher "a talented actress, writer and comedienne with a very colorful personality that everyone loved:"
"In Star Wars she was our great and powerful princess β feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people might think. My heart and prayers are with Billie, Debbie and all Carrieβs family, friends and fans. She will be missed by all.β
One of the most heartbreaking statements may actually come from the social media account for Gary, Carrie Fisher's dog, who had a huge following on Twitter:
I was always by your side but best of all you were always by mine. #RIPCarrie pic.twitter.com/QgeOYdmmH2
β Carrie Fisher's Dog (@Gary_TheDog) December 28, 2016
I'll be waiting right here mommy. #CarrieFisher @carrieffisher #princessleia pic.twitter.com/sfwVBCBvUE
β Carrie Fisher's Dog (@Gary_TheDog) December 24, 2016
Fisher, the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and entertainer Eddie Fisher, was 19 when she first played Princess Leia Organa in 1977's "Star Wars." She reprised her role as General Leia in last year's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
She also was an accomplished author, writing the best-selling "Postcards from the Edge," which was later a movie starring Meryl Streep. Recently, she had been promoting her memoir, "The Princess Diarist," in which she reveals that she and Ford had an affair on the set of "Star Wars."
Carrie Fisher meets the fans
Fisher's legions of fans got the chance to meet the star at conventions all over the world. Fisher attended the two previous Star Wars Celebration conventions held in Orlando. In 2015, Fisher appeared at Tampa Bay Comic Con, where she answered questions, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Digital media producer Christie Zizo tweeted video from the convention. Be sure to turn the audio up on your device to listen to the following clips:
I got to see @carrieffisher at @TampaComicCon in 2015. Here's some from her Q&A on when @starwars was first released: cc: @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/wRuDpRXkQj
β Christie Zizo (@ChristieZizo) December 27, 2016
From @TampaComicCon '15: Fisher talks aboutreuniting with @HamillHimself & Harrison Ford for TFA: pic.twitter.com/i6rIrbfQTJ
β Christie Zizo (@ChristieZizo) December 27, 2016
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.