Remembering Carrie Fisher: Reflecting on the Life and Last Moments of the Star Wars Legend Nine Years After Her Passing
Carrie Fisher in September 1977 ; Carrie Fisher attends ‘Gravity’ premiere and opening ceremony during The 70th Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on Aug. 28, 2013 in Venice, Italy.
Credit: John Mitchell/Evening Standard/Getty; Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage
NEED TO KNOW
- Carrie Fisher died on Dec. 27, 2016, at 60 years old, after going into cardiac arrest during a flight days earlier.
- The coroner’s report listed sleep apnea along with other unspecified factors as contributing causes of the Star Wars icon’s death, with a toxicology report confirming that drugs were present in her system at the time.
- The late actress posthumously appeared in Star Wars films through previously filmed footage and digital effects.
Though nine years have passed since Carrie Fisher’s death, her impact remains as strong as ever.
Fisher, who was 60 at the time of her death, suffered cardiac arrest four days earlier while on a flight from London to Los Angeles. A coroner’s report later cited sleep apnea and other undetermined factors as contributing causes. Toxicology results confirmed the presence of drugs in her system.
Born to famous entertainers Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, Fisher gained prominence in 1977 as Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, a role she would reprise in several subsequent sequels.
Despite her public success, Fisher faced numerous personal challenges, including battles with depression and substance abuse, which played a part in her divorce from songwriter Paul Simon in 1984. Following her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, she became a mental health advocate.
Fisher’s legacy is preserved through her advocacy and the ongoing impact of her roles, particularly as Princess Leia, alongside her daughter, Billie Lourd. In May 2023, she was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a tribute unveiled by Lourd, who adorned her dress with an image of her mother as Princess Leia.
As we commemorate the nine-year anniversary of Fisher’s passing, we reflect on the circumstances around her death and the enduring influence she has left behind.
When did Carrie Fisher die?
Carrie Fisher attends the Live Talks Los Angeles Ruby Wax in conversation with Carrie Fisher event at the Aero Theatre on Nov. 11, 2014, in Santa Monica, Calif.
Amanda Edwards/WireImage
Fisher died on Dec. 27, 2016, at 8:55 a.m.
Her death was confirmed by family spokesman Simon Halls in a statement from her daughter, Billie Lourd. The statement expressed deep sadness, stating, “It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning.”
The statement concluded, “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
How did Carrie Fisher die?
Carrie Fisher signs copies of her book ‘The Princess Diarist’ at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on Nov. 28, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Fisher experienced cardiac arrest during a flight from London to Los Angeles. After being transported to a hospital, she succumbed to her condition four days later.
What was Carrie Fisher’s cause of death?
Carrie Fisher attends the 7th annual Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on Nov. 14, 2015, in Hollywood, Calif.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
In June 2017, a coroner’s report determined that Fisher’s death was primarily due to sleep apnea and other undetermined factors. A toxicology analysis revealed traces of cocaine, methadone, ethanol, and opiates, though it remained unclear how these substances may have affected her death.
Lourd later stated that her mother had “battled drug addiction and mental illness her entire life” and that she “ultimately died of it.”
She emphasized Fisher’s openness about the stigma surrounding these issues, noting how her mother sought to address the shame faced by those affected.
Lourd also expressed her belief that Fisher would want her death to inspire others to speak openly about their struggles and advocate for mental health initiatives.
When did Carrie Fisher’s mom Debbie Reynolds die?
Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds arrive for Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s 75th birthday party at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas on Feb. 27, 2007, in Henderson, Nev.
Ethan Miller/Getty
Debbie Reynolds, Fisher’s mother, passed away due to a stroke on Dec. 28, 2016, just one day after her daughter’s death. She was 84 years old.
Reynolds’ son, Todd, shared that she was thinking of Fisher in her final moments, expressing, “I miss her so much; I want to be with Carrie.”
On the day before her passing, Reynolds had posted a heartfelt message thanking fans for their support and love for her daughter, signifying the deep bond they shared.
At a subsequent public memorial service, Todd recounted his mother’s wish to be buried with Fisher, reflecting on their enduring connection even in death.
How did the public react to Carrie Fisher’s death?
Carrie Fisher is remembered with a makeshift star made by a fan on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Dec. 29, 2016 in Hollywood, Calif.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty
In the aftermath of Fisher’s death, tributes poured in from fans and friends alike on social media, reflecting a collective sense of loss.
Her Star Wars colleagues released a heartfelt statement, with Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, sharing that Fisher was not only Princess Leia to the world but a special friend to many.
Mark Hamill, who portrayed her on-screen brother, expressed his heartbreak, stating, “It’s never easy to lose such a vital, irreplaceable member of the family.” He emphasized Fisher’s unique spirit and the profound impact she had on both their professional and personal lives.
Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian, shared sentiments of sadness and admiration for Fisher, remarking, “The force is dark today!”
Peter Mayhew, known for his role as Chewbacca, remembered her as “the brightest light in every room she entered.”
A private burial service was held in January 2017, but friends, family, and fans honored Fisher at a public memorial in March 2017, featuring a tribute song and a video montage celebrating her remarkable life.
How did Carrie Fisher’s death affect the Star Wars movies?
General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) in 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Even after her passing, Fisher continued to influence the Star Wars franchise. In 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, director J.J. Abrams utilized previously filmed footage of Fisher from earlier movies, with Lourd’s consent, to seamlessly incorporate her into the storyline.
At a 2019 Star Wars Celebration convention, Abrams stated, “You don’t recast that part, and you don’t have her disappear.” This approach allowed fans and audiences to say goodbye to an iconic character while honoring Fisher’s legacy.
What did Billie Lourd say about her mom and grandmother’s deaths?
Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds pose during TNT’s 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 25, 2015, in Los Angeles.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Shortly after the deaths of Fisher and Reynolds, Lourd publicly expressed her grief through an Instagram post, acknowledging the strength she found in the support of others.
She described her profound loss, stating, “There are no words to express how much I will miss my Abadaba and my one and only Momby.” In subsequent tributes, she shared her ongoing struggle with grief and her memories of her mother and grandmother, highlighting both their qualities and their shared bond.
As time passes, Lourd continues to celebrate her mother’s legacy, ensuring that memories of Fisher’s spirit and humor endure in discussions with her own children.
