Carrie Fisher in 2016. (Getty)
Carrie Fisher’s death sent shockwaves throughout the Star Wars community. Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams have already sent out their condolences to Fisher’s family. Fisher was such a beloved member of the Hollywood community – as an actress, author and the daughter of icon Debbie Reynolds – that countless other celebrities paid tribute to her.
Fisher died on Tuesday, December 27 after suffering a heart attack on Friday, December 22. Her death was announced in a statement to People Magazine by her publicist on behalf of her daughter, Billie Lourd.
“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” the statement read. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
The legendary Reynolds, 84, issued a statement on Facebook, thanking all those for loving her daughter’s work.
Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carries Mother
Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia’s twin brother, wrote that he had no words.
Hamill later posted a much longer statement on Facebook. It reads:
It’s never easy to lose such a vital, irreplaceable member of the family, but this is downright heartbreaking. Carrie was one-of-a-kind who belonged to us all- whether she liked it or not. She was OUR Princess, damn it, & the actress who played her blurred into one gorgeous, fiercely independent & ferociously funny, take-charge woman who took our collective breath away. Determined & tough, but with a vulnerability that made you root for her & want her to succeed & be happy. She played such a crucial role in my professional & personal life, & both would have been far emptier without her. I am grateful for the laughter, the wisdom, the kindness & even the bratty, self-indulgent crap my beloved space-twin gave me through the years. Thanks Carrie. I love you, mh
Peter Mayhew, the actor who wore the Chewbacca costume, wrote:
David Prowse, who wore the Darth Vader costume in the Original Trilogy, remembered Fisher as a wonderful person.
https://twitter.com/isDARTHVADER/status/813826559211606016
Anthony Daniels, the man in the C-3PO costume, wrote:
Billy Dee Williams added:
Daisy Ridley, who starred in The Force Awakens, doesn’t have a Twitter page, so she sent a statement to The Hollywood Reporter:
“Devastated at this monumental loss. How lucky we all are to have known her, and how awful that we have to say goodbye.”
Felicity Jones, who starred in Rouge One: A Star Wars Story, told THR:
“Such devastating news. I never met Carrie but consistently heard how profoundly sharp and witty she was. Her maverick spirit will be missed by us all.”
Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, sent out a statement:
A statement on the Star Wars site reads:
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Carrie Fisher, who in addition to being both a celebrated actor and author, is a cherished member of the Lucasfilm family. She was adored by all who knew her for her endearing personality and delightfully sharp wit.
Warwick Davis, who played Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi, shared this classic photo of himself with Fisher.
https://twitter.com/WarwickADavis/status/813830162244571136
A Twitter account for Gary, Fisher’s dog, sent the saddest message:
https://twitter.com/Gary_TheDog/status/813806527110844416
Samuel L. Jackson, who played Mace Windu in the prequel trilogy, wrote:
Albert Brooks wasn’t a member of the Star Wars family, but he still commented on Fisher’s death, showing how much a beloved member of the Hollywood community she was.
Voice actor James Arnold Taylor, who voiced Obi-Wan Kenobi on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, wrote:
William Shatner of Star Trek fame said he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
Actor Josh Gad said he was left in stunned silence.
Disney CEO Bob Iger added this statement, calling her a “one-of-a-kind” person.
https://twitter.com/ocdisney/status/813818890539048960
Comedian Steve Martin showed appreciation for Fisher’s wit and wisdom.
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/813820915473641472
Singer Cyndi Lauper commented on how there have been too many lost stars this year.
https://twitter.com/cyndilauper/status/813820418259898369
Pablo Hidalgo, a member of the Lucasfilm Story Group, asked that Fisher’s family be given their privacy.
https://twitter.com/pablohidalgo/status/813810661515870208
Filmmaker Kevin Smith added:
https://twitter.com/ThatKevinSmith/status/813822970825150464
Rob Reiner, who directed Fisher in When Harry Met Sally…, wrote:
https://twitter.com/robreiner/status/813824530581856258
Actress Alyssa Milano thanked Fisher for being a role model:
https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/813814302658334721
Jane Fonda, herself Hollywood royalty, wrote:
https://twitter.com/Janefonda/status/813870447020351488
Joely Fisher wrote:
https://twitter.com/MsJoelyFisher/status/813888307109056513
Paul Simon, who was married to Fisher for a year during the 1980s, wrote on Facebook:
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Carrie Fisher Dead: Mark Hamill, ‘Star Wars’ Family Reacts on Twitter