Carrie Fisher, the actress known around the world for playing Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” movies, has died at the age of 60.
Fisher recently suffered a heart attack while on a plane. She later died at a hospital, as People magazine first reported.
Family spokesman Simon Halls released a statement to media on behalf of Fisher’s 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,” said the statement, which was provided to Business Insider. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
Fisher, who is the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds, was also a screenwriter and author. Her semi-autobiographical novel, “Postcards from the Edge,” published in 1987, was later adapted by Fisher herself into a movie of the same title, which was directed by Mike Nichols and released by Columbia Pictures in 1990.
Among her other films were “The Blues Brothers,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters.” Fisher was slated to reprise the role of Leia in the upcoming “Star Wars” movies “Episode VIII,” which has completed filming, and “Episode IX.”
