Carrie Fisher has died aged 60, days after she suffered a cardiac arrest during an aeroplane flight. The acting icon was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise.
Fisher had previously been described as being in a stable condition, but her condition deteriorated rapidly this afternoon, being pronounced dead shortly after. She led a tumultuous life in stardom, battling addiction and mental issues, before becoming a patron for promoting awareness of the latter.
Born on 21st October 1956, Carrie Fisher, the daughter of Academy Award-nominated actress Debbie Reynolds and pop singer Eddie Fisher made her on-screen debut in Shampoo in 1975, but her big shot at stardom came two years later as she was cast alongside Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford in Star Wars: A New Hope.
After subsequently starring in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Fisher had smaller roles in When Harry Met Sally and Hannah and Her Sisters- the latter alongside Woody Allen. She returned to the Star Wars franchise last year, reprising her role as General Leia Organa for The Force Awakens.
A statement from the family read: ‘It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning. She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.’
Check out Fisher in her most iconic role below:
