Carrie Fisher has died, aged 60.
The actress, who was best-known for playing Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, had been unwell after suffering a cardiac arrest on board a flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday (December 23), 15 minutes before the plane was due to land. Fisher’s mother, Debbie Reynolds, had said that Fisher was in a ‘stable’ condition on Christmas Day.
It has now been confirmed that Fisher has died. The actress passed away this morning (December 27), with the news confirmed in a statement of “very deep sadness” provided by her family.
The statement 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.”
Fisher’s fellow Star Wars cast member Mark Hamill led the numerous tributes, tweeting that he was “devastated” by the news. Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew posted a touching tribute, writing: “There are no words for this loss. Carrie was the brightest light in every room she entered. I will miss her dearly.” Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, said “I thought I had got what I wanted under the tree. I didn’t,” while Billy Dee Williams (who played Lando Calrissian) wrote: “The force is dark today.”
Rufus Wainwright wrote on his Facebook page: “This morning my dear friend Carrie Fisher died and the universe is seriously smarting, smarting from the loss of her incredible sense of humor, effortless glamor and absolute kindness.” He also called her “greatest embodiment of the last gasps of several far more fabulous eras then today.”
James Blunt, who once lived with Fisher, said he was “going to miss [Fisher] so much.” Stephen Fry praised the late actress as ” the brightest, funniest, bravest, kindest, cleverest and sweetest person I ever knew.” Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, meanwhile, praised Fisher’s voice work on his show: “Carrie Fisher was smart, funny, talented, surprising, and always a hell of a fun time to be around.”
See a selection of the tributes to Carrie Fisher below.
https://twitter.com/PaulSimonMusic/status/814077328473096192
FOR CARRIEPresently I'm thinking of the past. And frankly, between the recent vicious political season and the loss of…
Posted by Rufus Wainwright on Tuesday, December 27, 2016
no words #Devastated pic.twitter.com/R9Xo7IBKmh
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) 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.
— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) December 27, 2016
There 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
— Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) 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
Sweet dreams, darling @carrieffisher. I'm gonna miss you. So much. x
— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) December 27, 2016
Carrie Fisher was smart, funny, talented, surprising, and always a hell of a fun time to be around. Family Guy will miss her immensely.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) December 27, 2016
She was the brightest, funniest, bravest, kindest, cleverest and sweetest person I ever knew. A crushing blow to lose @carrieffisher
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 27, 2016
I'm deeply saddened to learn of the death of Carrie Fisher. I will miss our banterings. A wonderful talent & light has been extinguished.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 27, 2016
Carrie Fisher dedicated her platform to mental health awareness & female empowerment. She is a reason + reminder to keep up your fight. RIP
— h (@halsey) December 27, 2016
ALWAYS HUMOROUS, ALWAYS ELOQUENT, CARRIE FISHER'S CONTRIBUTION TO POP CULTURE ICONOGRAPHY & GENDER POLITICS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN #RIPCARRIE pic.twitter.com/vl3bQg66cM
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) December 27, 2016
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
Such a sad day for her family, friends and millions of fans. Carrie Fisher is deeply missed.
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) December 27, 2016
Inspiring, entertaining & a real cultural icon. Rest in peace Carrie Fisher – a true talent who will be much missed. pic.twitter.com/J7USO1uDe2
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) December 27, 2016
Carrie is survived by her daughter Billie (who played Lieutenant Connix in the 2015 Star Wars film The Force Awakens, starring alongside her mother), her brother Todd Fisher, and sisters Tricia and Joely Fisher.
After reprising her role in last year’s The Force Awakens, Fisher was set to play Leia again in the forthcoming and as-yet-untitled Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is set for release on December 15 2017. It was recently confirmed that Fisher had finished filming her scenes for the upcoming movie.
Fisher also starred in The Blues Brothers (1980), When Harry Met Sally and The ‘Burbs (both 1989). She had also just published a memoir, The Princess Diarist, where she alleged that she had had an affair with her Star Wars co-star Harrison Ford.