Earlier today, it was reported that iconicStar WarsactressCarrie Fisher passed awayat the age of 60. Her death comes just four days after she suffered a heart attack on an international flight between London and Los Angeles, with the actress returning home from promoting her new bookThe Princess Diarist. As the news spread throughout the world, we have a number of tributes that have surfaced through social media, and from LucasFilm itself. Here’s what LucasFilm presidentKathleen Kennedyhad to say in a statement.
“Carrie holds such special place in the hearts of everyone at Lucasfilm it is difficult to think of a world without her. She was Princess Leia to the world but a very special friend to all of us. She had an indomitable spirit, incredible wit, and a loving heart. Carrie also defined the female hero of our age over a generation ago. Her groundbreaking role asPrincess Leiaserved as an inspiration of power and confidence for young girls everywhere. We will miss her dearly.”
Along withKathleen Kennedy’s statement,StarWars.comalso released a statement from Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company, about thetragic passingofCarrie Fisher. Here’s what he had to say below.
“Carrie Fisher was one-of-a-kind, a true character who shared her talent and her truth with us all with her trademark wit and irreverence. Millions fell in love with her as the indomitable Princess Leia; she will always have a special place in the hearts ofStar Wars fansas well as all of us who were lucky enough to know her personally. She will be sorely missed, and we join millions of fans and friends around the world who mourn her loss today.”
Among the many other fans who sent out tributes after word of her passing spread was filmmakerKevin Smith, who castCarrie Fisheras a nun who gives Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) a lift in the 2001 comedyJay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Like many longtimeStar Warsfans,Carrie Fisherhad quite the impact on the filmmaker’s life. Here’s what he had to say in his tribute on social media earlier today.
“The Princess stole my heart at age 7. Anybody who knows me knows #CarrieFisher was my first love. I thrilled to the adventures of #princessleia in the @starwars movies, but from ‘77 to ‘84, I was in love withCarrie Fisherherself. My bedroom was filled withCarrie Fisherpictures from any movie she was ever in (including Polaroids I took off the TV when #thebluesbrothers hit cable). I was jealous ofPaul Simonwhen he was datingCarrie Fisherand wouldn’t listen to his music until they split up. I paid to seeCarrie Fisherand #chevychase in Under the Rainbow nine times when it was in theaters (mostly becauseCarrie Fisherwas in underwear in one scene). In childhood, I committed myself to Carrie Fisher without ever meeting her the way novice Nuns commit themselves to Christ without meeting Him. Decades later, I got to tell her this whenCarrie Fisherand @jaymewes were in a station wagon on the set of #jayandsilentbobstrikeback. She was gracious about hearing it for the zillionth time from the zillionth man or woman who grew up idolizing her, but wickedly added ‘I’m glad to know I helped you find your light saber.’ And with that, she stopped beingCarrie Fisherto me and just becameCarrie. That’s theCarrieI’ll always remember: the dutiful standard-bearer of childhood dreams with a the wicked sense of humor and a way with words. She didn’t want to get paid for her role in @jayandsilentbob Strike Back; instead, she asked that we buy her these antique beaver chairs. Her reason: “Beaver seems an appropriate currency for this movie.” When she was a guest on Season 1 of our @hulu show #Spoilers,Carriecurled up in the throne like she belonged there. And she did: after all, she was royalty. As a boy, I dreamed of marryingCarrie Fisher. As a young filmmaker, I dreamed of castingCarrie Fisher. As an adult, I dreamed of being as sharp-witted and prepossessed as Carrie Fisher. And now thatCarrie Fisheris gone, I’ll dream of my friendCarrie- whose entire magnificent career I was lucky enough to witness, whose honesty made me a better person, and whose spirit - likeThe Force- will be with us always. Goodnight, Sweet Princess…”
We have also assembled the many tweets that were sent out followingCarrie Fisher’s untimely death. Naturally, these tweets represent a meager fraction of the livesCarrie Fisherhas touched through her acting, writing and just being herself. Take a look at these tributes to the late, greatCarrie Fisherbelow.
