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.

Wishful Drinking

Wishful Drinking ~ The previews of this one woman show/video memoir on HBO made it seem quite funny, but I knew the facts - that Carrie Fisher has long suffered from alcoholism, drug addiction and manic depression, and I thought for sure it wouldn't be all laughs. I was pleasantly surprised.

The actress begins with the rather grim story of a friend dying in her bed but quickly recovers with her family history, which is hysterical... unfortunately probably because it's true. Her family tree is a twisted root turned in on itself and provides much entertainment in her retelling.

There's a lot of material covered here, and a lot for folks who have followed various facets of her career. If you know Carrie as Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds' daughter, or if you know her as the real lead character in Postcards from the Edge, or if you know her from a little movie called Star Wars - there's something here for you.

Also, if you're watching on HBO OnDemand, like I did, don't forget to watch all the extras like interviews with her parents and the poem from Star Wars that clogs up her head. Recommended.

Eddie Fisher 1928-2010

Eddie Fisher passed away yesterday from complications of hip surgery.  He was 82. 

Fisher was a singer and actor on radio and television, but he was probably better known for what he did in his personal life.  Fisher married five times.  Among his wives were Elizabeth Taylor, Connie Stevens and Debbie Reynolds.  Actress Carrie Fisher is his daughter from that last marriage. 

His recording career was huge and he ruled the charts until some guy named Elvis Presley came along.  He will be missed.