Happy Birthday Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia Turns 58 As ‘Star Wars’ Cast Celebrates
Carrie Fisher immortalized one of the most iconic movie roles in history, that of Princess Leia of the original Star Wars trilogy. On Tuesday, she turns 58, and her co-stars came out to help her celebrate the milestone.
Fisher was joined by original cast member Harrison Ford, newcomers Daisy Ridley and Adrien Brody, and director J.J. Abrams at Zuma restaurant in London, where the crew is filming Star Wars Episode VII, the continuation of the saga. The veteran actress will reprise her role as Princess Leia Organa, which she first played in 1977.
At the time of her original casting for Star Wars, Carrie Fisher was mostly known for being the daughter of the legendary Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. She had appeared in Shampoo alongside Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn and Julie Christie, but wasn’t a household name by a long shot.
That all changed when Fisher, along with Ford, and Mark Hamill, soared to theaters in May of 1977 in the original Star Wars: A New Hope. At the time, only 21-years-old, the actress became an instant hit, with her white gown and unusual hairdo, which has become symbolic of the successful franchise.
Not only did she become identified with Leia, a strong female leader, but her likeness was replicated in toy figures which sold by the millions. Kids dressed like Leia for Halloween and still do to this day. To say that Carrie Fisher played a popular character would be an understatement.
In Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Carrie Fisher turned heads when she was forced to wear a barely-there bikini costume as she was held captive by the disgusting Jabba the Hutt. Her popularity grew tenfold and more of her figurines were sold worldwide.
Earlier this year, Disney announced that Fisher, Ford and Hamill would reprise their roles one more time (perhaps for the last time?) in Abrams’ Star Wars Episode VII, which is yet to be titled. We are not sure what Princess Leia will be up to 30-years after Return of the Jedi.
Many fans expect her and Ford’s character, Han Solo, to have one or two off-spring (whether they got married at some point or not), and it is rumored that their son, who we believe will be portrayed by newcomer Adam Driver, will turn to the Dark Side (Ridley is thought to be Han and Leia’s daughter as well). In the meantime, Carrie Fisher has been working hard to return to Star Wars, and according to her mother, Debbie Reynolds, she has lost 40-pounds and is very excited to be back as Princess Leia once more.
[Image via Lucasfilm]
