RIP Carrie Fisher

I'm saddened to announce here that actress, author, screenwriter, and producer Carrie Fisher has passed away after having a heart attack a few days back. Born the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, she was best known for her role as Princess Leia Organa of the Star Wars franchise.

I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time, the real, original Star Wars, and Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia was one of the things I marveled at. Here was a princess, but breaking down all the stereotypes we thought of when we thought of princesses, and Carrie's attitude and gutsiness was no small part in that role. We loved her, and we loved her romance with Harrison Ford' Han Solo, and loved it even more when we recently found their affair on set was real. And even today, the day after I saw Rogue One, where she appeared as her young self to last year's triumphant return as the character in The Force Awakens, she is still perfect, and still beautiful, and now, more the template for a princess than the stereotype breaker.

I've loved Carrie in other films, especially one of my favorites, The Blues Brothers, and read a couple of her books, and always enjoyed seeing her participation in other film and TV projects. She had made quite a comeback in recent years, and become a crusader for mental health and drug recovery, and we still loved her. The outpouring of concern when she had her heart attack on board a plane last week showed that love worldwide. Carrie Fisher, our Princess Leia, will be missed.