It's been a tragic week in Hollywood. Silver screen legend Debbie Reynolds has died at the age of 84, TMZ reports, just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away after suffering a major heart attack. Reynolds' presence both on and off screen is something the world won't easily forget, and while Reynolds was beloved for her iconic roles in everything from Singin' In The Rain to The Unsinkable Molly Brown to Halloweentown, it's these Debbie Reynolds quotes that really sum up why Reynolds will be so dearly missed.
An actor, author, and humanitarian, Reynolds let her personality shine no matter what she did, and she refused to change herself for other people. Her candid interviews, positive attitude, and stunning resilience made her one of the most endearing figures in Hollywood, and after a decades-long career, her insightful quips and bits of wisdom are truly words to live by.
Reynolds was with her son Todd Fisher when she was rushed to the hospital on Dec. 28 for a possible stroke, TMZ reported. It's a painful double blow to friends, family, and fans, who are still reeling from news of her daughter Carrie Fisher's untimely death. But while we mourn yet another devastating loss, it's important to remember that Reynolds was a woman who celebrated independence, hard work, and living life joyously — and these quotes reflect just that.
Here are Reynolds' greatest bits of advice, told in her own words.
On Living Life To The Fullest
"I don’t have a favourite decade," Reynolds told The Telegraph in 2014. "I like to remember the whole of my professional life as one wonderful party."
On Having A Sense Of Humor
In her 2013 autobiography, Unsinkable: A Memoir, Reynolds let her sense of humor shine: "These are my recollections. If you remember things differently, send me your version — but only if it’s funnier.”
On Being Older And Wiser
"You see through things so easily," she told The Telegraph. "You see through phoney – so you don’t bother with a lot of people."
On Loving Her Children Unconditionally
In her book Unsinkable: A Memoir, Reynolds wrote about caring and advocating for her daughter Carrie Fisher, who struggled throughout her life with mental illness. "Carrie is my child, and I love her with every ounce of strength I possess. If love alone could cure our children, they would always be well. Since I can’t, I will do whatever I can to make her life less difficult."
On Marriage
Reynolds, who was married three times, told The Express in 2015 why she thinks marriage isn't the end-all be-all to happiness. "The truth is I loved an audience. I loved music and dance and that was exciting to me. I wouldn’t care to be married again."
On Being "Normal"
"Being normal is vastly overrated," Reynolds' character Aggie Cromwell said in the 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie, Halloweentown. Reynolds may have been in character, but the quote seemed to reflect her inspiring outlook on how to live life.
On Her Career
At the end of the day, one of Reynolds' greatest joys seemed to be being able to do exactly what she loved. "I gave it all that I had, and it's gratifying that others seem to be receiving it so well."
It's certain that Reynolds will be missed by all, but her amazing talent, wit, and wisdom will continue to inspire fans for years to come.
