Actress, writer, and humorist Carrie Fisher passed away at the age of 60 on Dec 27, 2016, leaving the world short of yet another talent. Most famous for her role as Princess Leia, and later, general Leia, in the Star Wards film series Fisher leaves behind a legacy of movies and books.

Carrie Frances Fisher was born to in October 21, 1956 to Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds- both established in the acting and singing world. As a child Fisher was known as the “bookworm” of the family for her love of classical literature. At the age of 15, the young singer debuted in a Broadway show starring her mother, which led young Carrie to drop out of high school in Los Angeles to attend London’s Central School of Speech and Drama.

Fisher’s first Hollywood debut was in the 1970’s in the comedy Shampoo. In 1977, Fischer starred in her first Star Wars film, which was later renamed Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope opposite Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford; the three later bonded over the success of the franchise.
During the 1980’s, Fisher wrote several novels including Postcards from the Edge, which was later adopted to the screen under her guidance as well as well as a one-woman play titled Wistful Thinking. Fisher continued to grace the television as well as the big screen in a number of roles, including Return of the Jedi.

During the 1990’s Fisher published Surrender to Pink and Delusions of Grandma while doing uncredited script work for movies such as Lethal Weapon 3. Fisher’s later career is highlighted by acting, writing, and her ability to polish scripts.

Later in her career, Fisher returned to the Star Wards franchise- this time as General Leia in Episodes VII, which aired on December 18, 2015 and earned her the nomination for a 2016 Saturn Award for Best Supporting actress. Fisher had completed the filming for Star Wars: Episode VIII and became ill on her way back from London, where the movie was filmed.

Fisher led a vibrant personal life with multiple relationships. Her second relationship with Bryan Lourd resulted in the birth of Billie Catherine Lourd on July 17, 1992. Fisher went on to have several other close relationships in her lifetime after she and Lourd split.

In addition to her creative career Carrie Fisher is recognized for her humility and openness about her drug abuse as well has her bi-polar disorder, which earned her the Harvard College Annual Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism for 2016. Fisher’s ability to speak openly about her struggles helped open a dialogue and alleviate stigma for others who suffered from similar issues.

On December 23, 2016, Fisher became ill while flying from London to Los Angeles and passed away after four days of intensive care in the ICU at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. A day later, Carrie’s mother, Debbie Fisher, suffered a stroke.

Carrie Fisher was truly a powerful, fearless, and influential woman and she is missed by fans and family alike. Fisher once wrote the following for what she’d hope would be her obituary; “I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight, strangled by my own bra.”