On December 27, 2016 the world lost another great actor, writer, and activist. Carrie Fisher left behind her daughter Billie Lourd, and a legacy in the film industry. Best known for her role as Leia Organa in Star Wars, Carrie Fisher also published several books, acted in several more movies, and helped edit many screenplays. Her life was far from easy, as she battled drug addiction and suffered from mental illness. Later in her life she became an advocate for mental health and showed the world that she was more than just a pretty face.
In her most memorable role as Leia Organa in Star Wars, Carrie Fisher played a princess unlike the typical princess. Leia could shoot a gun, and ultimately lead the rebellion at General Organa. She played a powerful, headstrong character who inspired millions. She showed little girls everywhere that a Princess wasn't just pretty, and didn't need to be proper.
In 2005, Carrie Fisher received the Women of Vision Award, which honors women who are making creative and technological achievements in media. Her books Shockaholic, Wishful Drinking, and her latest, The Princess Diarist have been successful. She helped edit numerous screenplays for years, without credit, and a few of her books were made into movies, including Postcards from the Edge and Wishful Drinking.
Beyond her professional life, Carrie Fisher spoke out about having bipolar disorder and drug abuse. She became a huge advocate for mental health, even having a page on her website of Mental Health Resources. She aimed to destigmatize mental illness and offer support to the community. She can be seen in countless interviews talking about her life.
When Star Wars: The Force Awakens came out, the image of the pretty little princess from the earlier films was replaced with the beautiful General Organa who lived long and went through a lot during her life. Carrie Fisher stood strong when cruel people talked about her changed image. Of course after one child, years of drug use and mental illness, Carrie Fisher has changed. However, the Carrie Fisher we saw in The Force Awakens is one of resilliance who had overcome obstacles again and again.
Carrie Fisher is an inspiration to us all, and will reappear in the next Star Wars movie. Rest in Peace, and may the force be with you.
