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Iconic Star Warsactress Carrie Fisher has died at age 60. The devastating news comes days afterthe Hollywood star best known for playing Princess Leia in the hit sci-fi franchise suffered a heart attack.
A spokespersonfor Carrie's family, Simon Halls, released a statement on behalf of thelate movie star’s only child, daughter Billie Lourd. “It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourdconfirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 thismorning,” the statement to HELLO! said. “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”
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Carrie went into cardiac arrest on Friday, December 23, while on board aflight from London to Los Angeles. On Christmas Day, film star Debbie Reynolds took to Twitter to share an update on her daughter’s condition, tweeting, "Carrie is in stable condition. If there is a change, we will shareit. For all her fans & friends. I thank you for your prayers & goodwishes.”
The Princess Diarist author's brother Todd also spoke about hissister's condition prior to her death, telling Variety: "We have to wait and bepatient. We have so little information ourselves. She's in the intensive careunit and everybody's praying for her. There's nothing new from the doctors.There's nothing new at all. … There's no good news or bad news."
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Carrie made her film debut in the 1975 drama Shampoo, which starred Warren Beatty, Julie Christie and Goldie Hawn. Two years later, the actress got her big break taking on the role of Princess Leia in the Star Wars trilogy alongside Harrison Ford.
Earlier this year, Billie's mom admitted that she and her co-star Harrison were involved in a secret three-month affair. "It was so intense," she told People of the romance. "It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend."
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Following new's of Carrie's heart attack, Harrison expressed his sadness to the Hollywood Reporter. He told the outlet, "I'mshocked and saddened to hear the news about my dear friend. Our thoughts arewith Carrie, her family and friends."
The pair’s fellow Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill also sent his well-wishes to the actress, tweeting, "As if 2016 couldn't getany worse... sending all our love to @carrieffisher." He additionally sharedseveral photos of the pair, with one reading: "Dear Santa, all I want forXmas is the Force to be strong with Carrie."
Last month the When Harry Met Sally actress told Rolling Stone that she did not fear death itself. "I fear dying," she said. "Anything with pain associated with it, I don't like. I've been there for a couple of people when they were dying; it didn't look like fun. But if I was gonna do it, I'd want someone like me around. And I will be there!"