Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia of ‘Star Wars’ Fame, Dies at 60

Carrie Fisher (as Princes Leia) and Anthony Daniels (as C3PO) . Image dated August 23, 1978. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)

Carrie Fisher, the actress best known for playing the iconic Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” films, died days after suffering a heart attack on an airplane. She was 60.

Fisher’s family spokesman Simon Halls confirmed to multiple publications that she passed away on Tuesday morning.

Fisher had been in intensive care at the UCLA Medical Center after having a heart attack on Friday during a flight from London to her home in Los Angeles.

Fisher, a native of Beverly Hills, California, was the daughter of celebrity parents: singer Eddie Fisher, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, and actress Debbie Reynolds.

The actress told J., the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California in 2008 that she frequently attended Friday night services and shared Shabbat meals with Orthodox friends.

After only one major film role — the comedy “Shampoo,” alongside Warren Beatty and Julie Christie — Fisher as a teenager was cast as Princess Leia in “Star Wars,”  George Lucas’ 1977 blockbuster. She reprised the memorable role in the next two “Star Wars” films and in 2015’s franchise reboot, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” She will appear in “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” set to be released in 2017.

Also a prolific writer, Fisher wrote four novels and three memoirs, including “Postcards from the Edge,” in which she described her substance abuse issues.

She was married and divorced from the Jewish singer Paul Simon.

Fisher had one child, “Scream Queens” actress Billie Lourd, 24. Lour’ds father, talent agent Bryan Lourd, dated Fisher for three years.

You May Also Like
Local Journalist Explores Environmental and Social Conditions of Eastern Shore’s Deal Island
Rona Kobell, John Wesley United Methodist Church

With her documentary, local journalist Rona Kobell explores the environmental and social conditions of the Eastern Shore's Deal Island.

New Program Offers Behind-the-Scenes Access Inside B&O’s Collection
B&O Unlocked

B&O Unlocked, a new program from the B&O Railroad Museum, offers the opportunity to tour every locomotive in the museum's collection.

‘Why Did You Leave Your Last Job’ (and Other Much Dreaded Interview Questions)
job interview

When interviewing for a job, focus on everything you have to offer a prospective employer, advises Karen Hammer of the Ignite Career Center.

Community Block Party Draws Thousands to Owings Mills JCC
2024 JCC Block Party

Last Sunday, the young and the not-so-young returned to the Owings Mills JCC campus for this year's gathering, featuring music, food, games, bounce houses and more.