Tragedy struck just before Christmas when we all heard news
that the enigmatic Carrie Fisher had suffered a massive heart attack on a
flight between London and Los Angeles. That tragedy was made all the more
painful on December 27th as we learned that the brilliant actress
had passed away as a result.
There is no good way to process this news. In a year that
has taken so many great artists, this one may sting the most. Carrie Fisher was
not only a great actress, but a great person and activist as well. She broke
onto the scene with, and is still best known for, the iconic role of Princess
Leia from Star Wars, but her work extended far beyond that both professionally
and personally. This tribute will seek to recognize all of that and tribute a
woman who is absolutely deserving of all the praise she has received over her
storied life, and all of the mourning we are suffering today.
The first area to address is her work with Star Wars. Since
her 1977 introduction in Star Wars:
Episode IV – A New Hope, Fisher has been a quintessential part of the
franchise. Her character is one of the best ever brought to screen, and for
good reason. This is a character that has a mental power and spunk that few
heroes ever get to represent, and even fewer get to show when they are female.
Princess Leia, the character, is defined by being self-sufficient and being one
of the, if not the, smartest person in the room. Star Wars fans were blessed
that this great role was accompanied by an actress and a performance that matched
its quality in every way. Carrie Fisher is a singular figure who very much
embodies everything that her character represents. Moreover, for generations of
young girls she is a hero they can look up to with pride. In the days before
Rey, Jyn Erso, and Padmé Amidala, Leia was, most tragically, Star Wars’ only
female hero. Fisher took that responsibility seriously and gave us a character
so incredible that it really changed cinema for the better and impacted the
lives of so many people. Amongst those in the storied galaxy far far away, she
was also one of the most giving with her time for the fans, appearing at
conventions and touching so many fans on a deep personal level.
On top of Star Wars, Fisher did a lot of other impeccable
work, both on screen and in print. She had several iconic roles including in The ‘Burbs and When Harry Met Sally…. The thing most overlooked about Carrie
Fisher is her comedic work and talent. Comedy is one of the most difficult art
forms to be successful at and Fisher was a genius. She had a quick wit and
great timing throughout her entire life that never failed to put a smile on
people’s faces and make them laugh. This deepened the personal connection many
had with Fisher and made her all the more meaningful. Fisher had a long and
storied career with 90 acting credits in all manner of roles. She gave so much,
and certainly had so much left to give. She was also a great writer authoring several
fascinating books that were equally influential as they addressed an array of
very tough subjects in her singular way.
Arguably more important than Fisher’s art, however, was who
she was as a person. Carrie Fisher was absolutely a person who wore her life on
her sleeve. She very publicly struggled with mental health issues and drug and
alcohol problems. Unlike many in a similar situation, Fisher turned that
impossible situation into a positive for herself and for countless others.
Throughout her life she was one of the most outspoken personalities about
mental health issues. These issues are so often swept under the rug that the
attention Fisher brought to them was extremely important and fundamentally
changed people’s perceptions broadly, as well as specifically helped
individuals with their own impossible obstacles. On top of that, Fisher was
outspoken for female empowerment. Just as she did with her brilliant Star Wars
character, she also encouraged girls and women to strive for more in real life.
This changed many lives and is something that people are, and should be, very
thankful to her for.
I am, myself, a huge Star Wars fan. It is that work I best
know and appreciate Fisher for. Sadly, I never got to meet her and tell her how
much the work she did meant to me. Though I did not look up to her specifically
as a woman, Princess (now General) Leia was always a real role model for me in
Star Wars because she was a great leader. She didn’t need to be a rogue-ish
swindler or an action hero to capture the screen. She did it with smarts, with
strategy, and with cleverness. She earned respect by taking matters into her
own hands and showing that if one isn’t afraid to do what is right with the
skills they have, they can make a real difference in the world (or in the galaxy
in that case). That role wouldn’t have been what it was without Carrie Fisher
and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without that role. Moreover, the
actress herself was so giving to fans in so many ways. I have watched many a
panel she has done at Star Wars events around the world and I never cease to be
amazed at her level of engagement. She is always interesting and always
unafraid to bring in things beyond Star Wars to help people meaningfully with
their real lives. I have been moved listening to her speak many times and those
moments will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I still don’t know how to process her loss. She was a giant
in our world who meant so much to so many. Thinking about who Carrie Fisher
was, though, I don’t think she would want us sulking. I think she would want us
to celebrate her life and to hopefully take something from it. The best way we
can remember her, I think, would be to live our lives as she did. To not hide
our problems and to face them. To be outspoken about important things. To exercise
a strength of character beyond that we normally see. Her work as an artist will
always remain close to my heart and her work as an activist will always remain
important to communities at large. I think she would be proud of that. She was
our Princess and always will be.
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to her family
and friends at this incredibly difficult time. I can’t fathom their struggle
and I would like to thank them for sharing her with the world. I would also
like to offer thanks to Carrie Fisher for helping me and so many others become
better people. You really were a force of nature that meant so much to all of
us. The Force will certainly be with her, always.
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