Stars React To Carrie Fisher's Death

The world lost Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher on Dec. 27, 2016. Her daughter, Scream Queens star Billie Lourd, announced in a press release that Fisher, 60, died as a result of complications following an in-flight cardiac emergency on Dec 23, 2016. While best known for her role as Princess Leia in the galactic franchise, Fisher was so much more to so many: actress, author, mental health advocate, mother, sister, and daughter. As friends, family, and fans around the world mourn her death, many of Fisher's friends and castmates have taken to social media to express their sorrow. Here are some of the most poignant tributes from those who knew her best.

Fisher's mother, Debbie Reynolds, was a star in her own right. After news of her daughter's death began circulating online, Reynolds reached out to fans via her Facebook page. "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." The day after her daughter passed, Reynolds reportedly suffered a fatal stroke at her son's home while making funeral arrangements for Fisher. According to TMZ, Reynolds' last words were, "I miss her so much, I want to be with Carrie."

Han Solo and Leia Organa were one of the most memorable on-screen couples in film history. There's no question the very real dynamic between Ford and Fisher directly contributed to the success of the Star Wars saga. Immediately following her death, Ford told E! News, "Carrie was one-of-a-kind...brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. She lived her life, bravely...We will all miss her."

In terms of the future of the Star Wars films, without Leia, Luke and his nephew, Kylo Ren, are the only remaining Skywalkers (that we know of). But plot points aside, Mark Hamill and Fisher shared a close bond both on and off the set. Hamill was speechless after learning of her death, echoing the sentiments of many fans around the world.

He later penned a heartfelt tribute to his on-screen sister via Facebook, writing, "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

Instead of taking to social media, Star Wars creator George Lucas released a statement on the official Star Wars website, as did Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Disney CEO Bob Iger. "Carrie and I have been friends most of our adult lives," Lucas said. "She was extremely smart; a talented actress, writer and comedienne with a very colorful personality that everyone loved. In Star Wars she was our great and powerful princess—feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people might think. My heart and prayers are with Billie, Debbie and all Carrie's family, friends and fans. She will be missed by all. George Lucas."

In the Star Wars films, the affectionate relationship between Princess Leia and Chewbacca is evident. Off screen, Fisher and Chewie actor Peter Mayhew also enjoyed a lifelong friendship. Mayhew expressed his deep sorrow with this tweet: "There are no words for this loss. Carrie was the brightest light in every room she entered. I will miss her dearly."

Anthony Daniels, who has played robot C-3PO in every Star Wars film to date, took to Twitter on Christmas Eve with a holiday wish. "At last I know what I want for Christmas. The galaxy's beloved Princess, fully functional once more. And soon." Daniels spoke out again not long after Fisher's death was confirmed. "I thought I had got what I wanted under the tree," he tweeted. "I didn't. In spite of so many thoughts and prayers from so many. I am very, very sad.

Like so many members of the Star Wars cast, Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian, is mourning the loss of a dear friend. "I'm deeply saddened at the news of Carrie's passing," he tweeted, in part. "The force is dark today!"

Warwick Davis was only 11 years old when he began filming alongside Fisher for Return of the Jedi. His portrayal of Wicket the Ewok jump-started his film career and forged a lifelong friendship between co-stars. Earlier in 2016, Davis talked with BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs about how Fisher used to mother him on the set. "Carrie was particularly concerned about me being in this hot, furry Ewok costume because whenever I took the head off and I looked a little bit hot and flustered, she'd actually be there—standing by—with milk and cookies to revive me," he said.

You've probably never heard his real voice, but Prowse played one of the most iconic characters of the Star Wars universe—Darth Vader. He provided all of the action, while James Earl Jones supplied the vocals for one of the world's most famous movie villains. Not long after Fisher's death was announced, Prowse spoke out on Twitter: "I am extremely sad to learn of Carrie's passing. She was wonderful to work with. Condolences to her friends, family & fans around the world" (via CBS News).

While they never appeared in a movie together, actor Samuel L. Jackson was still very much a part of the Star Wars extended family, having portrayed Jedi Master Mace Windu in the prequel films. He took to Twitter to express his sadness. "The light in The Galaxy is dimmed by the loss of our Princess Leia," he said. "May The Force Be With Her!! RIP."

Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie appeared alongside Fisher in the  Star Wars film, The Force Awakens. While the duo never shot a scene together in that movie, both Phasma and General Organa are slated to return to the screen in the next installment, Episode VIII, due in theaters in 2017. We can only hope this pair of strong women snagged a scene together in what will be Fisher's last film. Christie tweeted, "We've lost our Princess," adding, "I'm honoured to have ever been in the same orbit as magnificent Carrie Fisher. She gave us the sparkling courage to be unashamably ourselves."

Like Christie, Lupita Nyong'o did not appear directly in a scene with Fisher during The Force Awakens, but the actress who portrayed Force-sensitive space pirate Maz Kanata did spend time with Fisher on the set. Nyong'o shared a photo of the two of them—and Fisher's service dog, Gary—via her Instagram, along with the caption, "Sweet Carrie."

Director J.J. Abrams worked extensively with Fisher on the set of The Force Awakens, and while Leia has never been a "damsel in distress," many fans enjoyed seeing her transition from a princess to the hardened General Organa in the film. After her passing, Abrams shared a handwritten message on Twitter expressing his admiration for the "brilliant" actress. "You didn't need to meet Carrie Fisher to understand her power," he wrote. "What an unfair thing to lose her. How lucky to have been blessed with her at all."

Rian Johnson's job as director of the upcoming Episode VIII just became a million times harder. Principal filming has reportedly already concluded for the movie, including Fisher's parts—which will likely make that film her last appearance on the big screen. While we're sure Johnson will find a fitting way to pay homage to her in the movie, he also posted a sad tribute to her on social media following her death. "Carrie was an incredible person. I feel lucky I got to know her, and heartbroken," he tweeted (via Deadline).

Like the other directors tapped to work on the upcoming Star Wars saga, Colin Trevorrow—who will be directing Episode IX—expressed his sadness via a poignant tweet. He posted a cameo sketch of Fisher as Leia with the simple caption, "Always."

While veteran director Steven Spielberg never worked directly with Fisher on a film, the two became friends through mutual pal Lucas. In a statement from his publicist, Spielberg said, "I have always stood in awe of Carrie. Her observations always made me laugh and gasp at the same time. She didn't need The Force. She was a force of nature, of loyalty and of friendship. I will miss her very much."

Actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd was among those remembering the "wise and funny" Fisher after her passing, particularly the time they spent together on the set of Blues Brothers. "Our beautiful brilliant funny wise kind and generous Blues Sister," he tweeted. "So ironic—Xmas was Carrie's favorite thing next to babies."

Whoopi Goldberg worked with Fisher when they both starred in the 1991 comedy Soapdish and again when Fisher worked as an uncredited script doctor for the screenplay of Goldberg's hit movie Sister Act. Following Fisher's death, Goldberg used Twitter to offer her condolences, dubbing Fisher as "funnier & smarter than anyone had the right to be."

If you're a fan of Kevin Smith, you probably already know the Clerks writer and director is a gigantic Star Wars fan. When he learned of Fisher's passing, he shared a lengthy, heartfelt post on Instagram. "The Princess stole my heart at age 7," he said. "Anybody who knows me knows [Fisher] was my first love...In childhood, I committed myself to Carrie Fisher without ever meeting her the way novice Nuns commit themselves to Christ without meeting Him. Decades later, I got to tell her this... on the set of [Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]. She was gracious about hearing it for the zillionth time from the zillionth man or woman who grew up idolizing her, but wickedly added 'I'm glad to know I helped you find your light saber.' And with that, she stopped being Carrie Fisher to me and just became Carrie. That's the Carrie I'll always remember: the dutiful standard-bearer of childhood dreams with a the wicked sense of humor and a way with words." Instead of being paid for her appearance in his film, Smith said she asked to be compensated with antique beaver chairs, telling him, "Beaver seems an appropriate currency for this movie."

Smith concluded, "As a boy, I dreamed of marrying Carrie Fisher. As a young filmmaker, I dreamed of casting Carrie Fisher. As an adult, I dreamed of being as sharp-witted and prepossessed as Carrie Fisher. And now that Carrie Fisher is gone, I'll dream of my friend Carrie—whose entire magnificent career I was lucky enough to witness, whose honesty made me a better person, and whose spirit—like The Force—will be with us always. Goodnight, Sweet Princess..."

These two Star Trek stars were also friends of Fisher. "I will miss our banterings," William Shatner tweeted. George Takei added, "May her soul rest in eternal peace, as we return her to the heavens, in a galaxy far, far away."

When John Boyega, who starred as Finn in The Force Awakens, heard about Fisher's death, he took to Twitter to share a photo of the actress giving him a big hug. "My heart is heavy but I'm grateful that I got to know her," he said. "I'll cherish the memories, conversations and her consistent support. Rest well."

Daisy Ridley, who portrayed Rey in The Force Awakens and in the upcoming Episode VIII, had often been candid about the close relationship she forged with Fisher on set. Fisher even questioned Ridley for a funny and quirky piece in Interview magazine in 2015. Ridley took to Facebook to post a brief but touching message to her mentor: "Devastated at this monumental loss. How lucky we all are to have known her, and how awful that we have to say goodbye."

Perhaps one of the most shared social media posts regarding Fisher's death didn't come from a celebrity. Instead, Twitter user @threelisabeth reminded us of a joke the actress told in her memoir, Wishful Drinking, in which she essentially wrote her own obituary, saying, "I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight, strangled by my own bra." That Tweet has spread like wildfire, and many news outlets have since used Fisher's hilarious "cause of death" to headline assorted tributes to her life.

In what might be one of the most heartbreaking posts of the day, Carrie Fisher's beloved canine, a French bulldog named Gary, shared his "thoughts" via an unofficial Twitter account. "Mommy is gone. I love you," he tweeted. We're not crying. We're not crying. Okay, yes—we're crying.

I'll still be waiting for you....... pic.twitter.com/ef461OcqKJ

— Carrie Fisher's Dog (@Gary_TheDog) December 27, 2016

Musician Paul Simon also paid his respects to his ex-wife on Twitter (via The Daily Beast): "Yesterday was a horrible day. Carrie was a special, wonderful girl. It's too soon." The two had been involved in a long and tumultuous relationship and a brief marriage. Simon was so enamored with Fisher that he wrote several songs about their romance, including the beautiful "Hearts and Bones" and the haunting "She Moves On." Author Pete Ames Carlin, who wrote an autobiography about Simon titled Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon, characterized their dynamic as a "mix of love and personal crises," reported People. They were together off and on for more than a decade, the magazine reported, "before finally ending their relationship after a psychedelic trip in the Amazon.