Carrie Fisher Dies at 60

Carrie Fisher died this morning, four days after suffering a heart attack. The “Star Wars” actress had a heart attack while aboard a flight from London to Los Angeles last Friday. Speaking on behalf of Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd, family’s spokesman Simon Halls announced she died Tuesday. “It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” he told People in a statement. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Born in Beverly Hills, California on Oct. 21, 1956 to Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher was an American actress, screenwriter, author, producer, and speaker. In addition to playing Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” films. Fisher was also known for her semi-autobiographical novels, including “Postcards from the Edge,” and the screenplay for the film of the same name, as well as her autobiographical one-woman play, and its nonfiction book, “Wishful Drinking,”based on the show. Her other film roles included “Shampoo” (1975), “The Blues Brothers” (1980), “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986), “The ‘Burbs” (1989), and “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989).

Fisher was also a prominent activist for mental health issues. In 2010, Fisher told Diane Sawyer in an interview that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since coming out publicly about her disorder, Fisher has been credited by mental health professionals for her openness in discussing her condition and helping those suffering from the same disorder. She has also spoken at length about her struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism. Earlier this year, Harvard College presented Fisher with the Annual Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism.

Fisher is survived by her daughter Billie Lourd, also an actress; her mother, Debbie Reynolds; her brother Todd Fisher; and her stepsisters Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher.