Actress Carrie Fisher, best known for playing Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, has died at age 60, several news outlets reported Tuesday.
Fisher starred in the original “Star Wars” film, “A New Hope,” at age 20 in 1977. She continued to play a lead role in the iconic sci-fi series alongside co-stars Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, starring in “The Empire Strikes Back” in 1980 and “Return of the Jedi” in 1983. She most recently returned to the franchise in 2015, where she reprised her role as Leia Organa — now a general — in “The Force Awakens.”
While finding success with “Star Wars,” Fisher continued her illustrious career on the silver screen in films such as “The Blues Brothers” (1980), “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986) and “When Harry Met Sally …” (1989), among others.
Carrie Fisher | Getty images
Fisher was taken to UCLA Medical Center after suffering a heart attack on Friday, according to media reports. She leaves behind a daughter, 24-year-old actress Billie Lourd, who released this statement through the family’s spokesman, Simon Halls:
“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” reads the statement.
“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
A legend of the screen, stage and page, this icon will be deeply missed.
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