When devastating news of iconic actor Carrie Fisher's death broke on Dec. 27, 2016, the world mourned the loss of an incredible star most notable for her role in the original Star Wars trilogy. Her character Princess Leia Organa has been beloved for decades, but it's Carrie Fisher's first role appearing in the 1975 film Shampoo that really put Fisher's outstanding career in motion.
Fisher was only a teenager when she appeared in the movie alongside Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn, and Lee Grant. The comedy-drama was directed by Hal Ashby and produced by Columbia Pictures, and takes place during the 24-hour period on Election Day in 1968, when Richard Nixon became President-elect. While Fisher's role in the film is relatively small — she plays Lorna, the daughter of Grant and Jack Warden's characters — the movie was a big enough hit to get her on Hollywood's radar. Shampoo was nominated for four Academy Awards, and only two years later Fisher appeared on the silver screen again. Only this time, instead of playing a minor character, Fisher had the limelight all to herself in 1977 as Princess Leia in the very first Star Wars movie. After that, the roles kept coming, including two more Star Wars movies and a part in the 1980 film Blues Brothers.
Of course, Fisher was familiar with Hollywood long before she started acting. She's the daughter of two showbiz legends, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. According to People, Fisher studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London prior to her first movie role. She also went on to appear in other buzz-worthy movies including Hannah And Her Sisters (1986), and When Harry Met Sally (1989). She penned a novel, Postcards From The Edge, in 1987, and later wrote her memoir Wishful Drinking in 2008. More recently, Fisher reprised her Star Wars role as Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Her final on-screen performance is still to come; Star Wars: Episode VIII is in post-production.
Fisher died in the hospital days after going into cardiac arrest while on a plane from London to Los Angeles. She is survived by her daughter Billie Lourd. In a statement to Bustle, Lourd's publicist said: "It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning. She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly."
Hollywood has lost a tremendous star, but Fisher leaves a stunning legacy for us to remember her by.
