History of Carrie Fisher in Timeline
Carrie Fisher was a renowned American actress and writer, best known for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise. Her portrayal in the original trilogy (1977-1983) and later reprisal in the sequel trilogy (2015-2019) cemented her place in cinematic history. Beyond Star Wars, she showcased her talent in various films like Shampoo, The Blues Brothers, and When Harry Met Sally. Her comedic timing earned her Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her roles in 30 Rock and Catastrophe.
October 21, 1956: Birth of Carrie Fisher
Carrie Frances Fisher was born on October 21, 1956.
1959: Divorce of Parents
Carrie Fisher's parents, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, divorced in 1959.
1960: Debbie Reynolds' Second Marriage
Carrie Fisher's mother, Debbie Reynolds, married Harry Karl in 1960.
1964: Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor Divorce
Carrie Fisher's father, Eddie Fisher, and Elizabeth Taylor divorced in 1964.
1973: Broadway Debut and Educational Journey
Carrie Fisher made her Broadway debut in "Irene" and attended London's Central School of Speech and Drama in 1973.
1973: Debbie Reynolds and Harry Karl Divorce
Debbie Reynolds and Harry Karl divorced in 1973 when Carrie Fisher was 17 years old.
1974: Filming of "Shampoo"
Carrie Fisher filmed her debut role in "Shampoo" in mid-1974 at the age of 17.
1975: Film Debut in "Shampoo"
Carrie Fisher made her film debut in "Shampoo" playing the character Lorna Karpf in 1975.
1975: Film Debut in "Shampoo"
Carrie Fisher made her film debut in the Columbia Pictures comedy "Shampoo" in 1975, playing the role of Lorna Karpf.
1976: Affair with Harrison Ford
Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford had a three-month affair while filming Star Wars in 1976.
1977: Beginning of Relationship with Paul Simon
Carrie Fisher and musician Paul Simon began dating in 1977 after meeting during the filming of Star Wars.
1977: Star Wars Debut
Carrie Fisher first appeared as Princess Leia in the film "Star Wars" in 1977.
1977: Breakthrough Role in "Star Wars"
Carrie Fisher starred as Princess Leia in George Lucas' "Star Wars" alongside Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford in 1977, marking her breakthrough role.
April 1978: Appearance in Ringo Starr's TV Special
In April 1978, Carrie Fisher appeared as the love interest in Ringo Starr's TV special.
July 12, 1980: Rolling Stone Cover with Star Wars Co-Stars
Carrie Fisher, along with her Star Wars co-stars, appeared on the cover of the July 12, 1980 issue of Rolling Stone to promote "The Empire Strikes Back."
1980: Brief Engagement to Dan Aykroyd
Carrie Fisher was briefly engaged to Dan Aykroyd in 1980. They got engaged on the set of "The Blues Brothers," but Fisher broke off the engagement to reunite with Paul Simon.
1980: The Blues Brothers and Broadway
Fisher appeared in the film "The Blues Brothers" and on Broadway in "Censored Scenes from King Kong" in 1980.
August 1983: Marriage to Paul Simon
Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon married in August 1983.
1983: End of Relationship with Paul Simon
Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon's relationship ended in 1983 after six years of dating.
1983: "Return of the Jedi" and Broadway's "Agnes of God"
Carrie Fisher reprised her role as Princess Leia in "Return of the Jedi" and starred in the Broadway production of "Agnes of God" in 1983.
1983: "Return of the Jedi" and Iconic Rolling Stone Cover
Carrie Fisher returned as Princess Leia in "Return of the Jedi" and posed in the character's now-iconic metal bikini on the cover of Rolling Stone's Summer 1983 issue.
1983: Return of the Jedi and Broadway Debut
Fisher reprised her role as Princess Leia in "Return of the Jedi" and also appeared in the Broadway production of "Agnes of God" in 1983.
July 1984: Divorce from Paul Simon
Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon divorced in July 1984 after a year of marriage, though they would later rekindle their romance briefly.
1985: Overdose and Inspiration for "Postcards from the Edge"
Carrie Fisher accidentally overdosed on medication and sleeping pills in 1985. This event served as inspiration for her novel and screenplay, "Postcards from the Edge."
1986: Starring in "Hannah and Her Sisters"
Carrie Fisher starred alongside Barbara Hershey and Mia Farrow in Woody Allen's film "Hannah and Her Sisters" in 1986.
1986: Appearance in "Hannah and Her Sisters"
Carrie Fisher starred in Woody Allen's film "Hannah and Her Sisters" in 1986.
1987: Publication of Debut Novel and Film Role
Carrie Fisher's first novel, "Postcards from the Edge," was published and she appeared in the Australian film "The Time Guardian" in 1987.
1989: Notable Roles in "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The 'Burbs"
Carrie Fisher had key supporting roles in the films "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The 'Burbs" in 1989.
1989: Notable Roles in "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The 'Burbs"
Fisher had significant roles in the films "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The 'Burbs" in 1989.
1990: Film Adaptation of "Postcards from the Edge"
The film adaptation of Carrie Fisher's novel "Postcards from the Edge" was released in 1990 by Columbia Pictures, starring Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, and Dennis Quaid.
1991: Start of Script Doctoring Career
Marking the beginning of a significant period in her career, Carrie Fisher began her work as a script doctor in Hollywood in 1991.
1991: Appearance in "Drop Dead Fred"
Carrie Fisher appeared in the fantasy comedy film "Drop Dead Fred" in 1991.
1991: Release of "Soapdish"
Carrie Fisher appeared in the film "Soapdish" in 1991.
1991: Screenwriting and Release of "Hook"
Carrie Fisher worked on the screenplay for the film "Hook," which was released in 1991.
May 1992: "One of the Most Sought-After Doctors in Town"
In May 1992, Entertainment Weekly recognized Carrie Fisher as a highly sought-after script doctor in Hollywood.
1992: Birth of Daughter, Billie Lourd
Carrie Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, was born in 1992. Billie's father is Bryan Lourd, a talent agent whom Fisher referred to as her second husband, though they were never legally married.
1992: Script Doctor for George Lucas
In 1992, Carrie Fisher was hired by George Lucas to refine scripts for his TV series "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles." She also contributed to the dialogue of the Star Wars prequel scripts.
1993: Publication of "Delusions of Grandma"
Carrie Fisher's novel "Delusions of Grandma" was published in 1993.
1997: Role in "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery"
Carrie Fisher played a therapist in the film "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" in 1997.
1998: Script Doctor Work on "The Wedding Singer"
Carrie Fisher contributed uncredited script work to the film "The Wedding Singer," released in 1998.
2000: Role in Scream 3
In 2000, Carrie Fisher appeared in the film Scream 3 as a former actress who humorously acknowledges her resemblance to Fisher herself.
2001: Various Acting and Writing Roles
Carrie Fisher took on a variety of roles in 2001. She appeared as a nun in Kevin Smith's comedy "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and played a significant role in creating the TV comedy film "These Old Broads." Not only did she act in the film, but she also co-wrote and co-executive produced it. The film notably starred her mother, Debbie Reynolds, alongside other Hollywood legends like Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, and Shirley MacLaine.
2001: Voice Acting and Writing
In 2001, Carrie Fisher lent her voice to the animated sitcom "Family Guy," voicing the character of Angela, Peter Griffin's boss. That same year, she also showcased her writing talents by penning the introduction for a photography book titled "Hollywood Moms."
2001: Openness about Mental Health and Addiction
In 2001, Carrie Fisher spoke to Psychology Today about using drugs to manage her bipolar disorder, stating they made her feel "more normal."
2003: Close Relationship with James Blunt
Carrie Fisher and James Blunt developed a close relationship in 2003 while Blunt was working on his album "Back to Bedlam" at Fisher's residence. Fisher described herself as Blunt's therapist, supporting him through his experiences as a soldier.
2003: Role in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
In 2003, Carrie Fisher continued her comedic streak playing the character of Mother Superior, another nun, in the action-comedy film "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."
2004: End of Relationship with Bryan Lourd
It was revealed in 2004 that Carrie Fisher and Bryan Lourd were never legally married. The couple had split after Lourd left Fisher for another man.
2004: Publication of "The Best Awful There Is"
Carrie Fisher published "The Best Awful There Is" in 2004, marking a continuation of her writing career. The book served as a sequel to her previous work, "Postcards."
2004: Decline in Script Doctoring Work
In 2004, Carrie Fisher revealed in an interview that she was engaging less frequently in script doctoring work.
February 26, 2005: Death of R. Gregory Stevens
R. Gregory Stevens, a lobbyist, was found dead at Carrie Fisher's California home on February 26, 2005, from a combination of cocaine and oxycodone use. Fisher claimed that Stevens' ghost haunted her afterward.
2005: End of Script Doctoring Career
By 2005, Carrie Fisher had ceased her extensive work as a script doctor, marking the end of a successful 15-year run in that field.
2005: Women of Vision Award Recipient
In recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry, Carrie Fisher was honored with the Women of Vision Award by Women in Film & Video - DC in 2005.
November 2006: Premiere of "Wishful Drinking"
Carrie Fisher's one-woman play, "Wishful Drinking," premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in November 2006, marking the start of its successful run.
January 2007: End of First Run of "Wishful Drinking"
The initial run of Carrie Fisher's one-woman play, "Wishful Drinking," concluded in January 2007 at the Geffen Playhouse.
October 25, 2007: Guest Appearance on "30 Rock"
Carrie Fisher made a guest appearance as Rosemary Howard on the second-season episode "Rosemary's Baby" of the comedy series "30 Rock" on October 25, 2007. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
2007: Emmy Nomination for "30 Rock"
Carrie Fisher received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her guest role on the NBC sitcom "30 Rock" in 2007.
2007: Interviewee for "Dreams on Spec"
Carrie Fisher's reputation as a skilled script doctor led to her being selected as one of the interviewees for the 2007 screenwriting documentary "Dreams on Spec."
April 28, 2008: Guest Appearance on "Deal or No Deal"
On April 28, 2008, Carrie Fisher appeared as a guest on the popular game show "Deal or No Deal."
December 12, 2008: Discussion of Mental Health and ECT
Carrie Fisher openly discussed her experiences with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for her bipolar disorder on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on December 12, 2008.
December 2008: Publication of "Wishful Drinking" Autobiography
Expanding on the success of her play, Carrie Fisher released her autobiography, also titled "Wishful Drinking," in December 2008. The book drew from the experiences and themes explored in her stage production.
December 2008: Thoughts on the Changing Landscape of Script Doctoring
In December 2008, Carrie Fisher shared her insights on the evolving nature of script doctoring, expressing her reservations about the practice of providing free work in the form of notes and ideas.
2008: Appearance in "The Women"
Carrie Fisher was part of the cast of the film "The Women" in 2008.
October 2009: "Wishful Drinking" on Broadway
"Wishful Drinking" made its way to Broadway in October 2009, opening at Studio 54 in New York City.
December 2009: Grammy Nomination for "Wishful Drinking" Audiobook
Carrie Fisher received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2009 for her audiobook recording of "Wishful Drinking" in the Best Spoken Word Album category.
January 2010: End of Broadway Run for "Wishful Drinking"
Carrie Fisher's "Wishful Drinking" concluded its successful run on Broadway in January 2010.
2010: Appearance on "Entourage"
Carrie Fisher made an appearance in the seventh season of the HBO series "Entourage" in the summer of 2010.
2010: HBO Documentary on "Wishful Drinking"
HBO aired a feature-length documentary in 2010 based on a special live performance of Carrie Fisher's acclaimed stage production, "Wishful Drinking."
January 2011: Jenny Craig Spokesperson
Carrie Fisher served as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig, appearing in weight loss television ads that aired in January 2011.
2011: Release of "Shockaholic"
Carrie Fisher's book "Shockaholic," which discusses her experiences with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), was released in 2011.
August 2012: Appearance on the Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne
Carrie Fisher was among the featured performers at the Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne, which aired in August 2012. During her monologue, she humorously addressed her mental health journey and playfully jabbed at the other roasters' reliance on jokes about weight and menopause.
March 6, 2013: Clarification on Star Wars Episode VII Role
After media outlets reported on Carrie Fisher's humorous remarks about her potential role in Star Wars Episode VII, her representative clarified on March 6, 2013, that her earlier statements were made in jest and that no official announcement about her involvement had been made.
March 2013: Confirmation of Role in Star Wars Episode VII
Carrie Fisher confirmed in March 2013 that she would be reprising her iconic role as Princess Leia in Star Wars Episode VII.
2013: Jury Member at Venice Film Festival
In 2013, Carrie Fisher took on the prestigious role of a jury member for the main competition at the Venice Film Festival.
January 2014: Confirmation of Original Cast's Involvement in Star Wars Sequels
Carrie Fisher confirmed in January 2014 that she, along with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, would be returning for the upcoming Star Wars sequels. She expressed her desire to reprise her role with a playful twist on her character's iconic hairstyle.
March 2014: Relocation to London for Filming
Carrie Fisher relocated to London in March 2014 for six months to participate in the filming of Star Wars Episode VII.
April 29, 2014: Official Cast Announcement for Star Wars Episode VII
The official cast for Star Wars Episode VII was revealed on April 29, 2014, confirming Carrie Fisher's return as Princess Leia alongside fellow original cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, and Kenny Baker.
December 25, 2014: Appearance on "QI"
Carrie Fisher's appearance on the UK comedy panel show "QI" was broadcast on December 25, 2014.
2014: Cessation of ECT Treatments
Carrie Fisher stopped receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 2014.
2014: Golden Heart Award Recipient
Carrie Fisher was awarded the Golden Heart Award in 2014 for her work with The Midnight Mission.
January 19, 2015: Premiere of "Catastrophe"
Carrie Fisher starred in the British comedy series "Catastrophe" alongside Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney. The show premiered on Channel 4 in the UK on January 19, 2015.
December 18, 2015: Release of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Star Wars Episode VII, subtitled "The Force Awakens," hit theaters worldwide on December 18, 2015, marking Carrie Fisher's return to the Star Wars universe. Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2016 Saturn Awards.
2015: Reprising Princess Leia
Carrie Fisher returned to the role of Princess Leia in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in 2015.
November 2016: Release of "The Princess Diarist"
In November 2016, Carrie Fisher's memoir, "The Princess Diarist," was released, based on diaries from her time filming the Star Wars trilogy.
December 2016: Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Carrie Fisher died of a sudden cardiac arrest in December 2016 at the age of 60.
December 21, 2016: Final TV Appearance
On December 21, 2016, Carrie Fisher made her last television appearance on an episode of "8 Out of 10 Cats" in the United Kingdom.
December 23, 2016: Medical Emergency on Flight
On December 23, 2016, while on a flight from London to Los Angeles, Carrie Fisher experienced a medical emergency. Passengers provided CPR, and paramedics assisted upon landing. She was hospitalized at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
December 27, 2016: Death of Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher passed away on December 27, 2016.
December 28, 2016: Debbie Reynolds' Passing
On December 28, 2016, the day after Carrie Fisher's death, her mother, Debbie Reynolds, suffered a stroke and passed away.
2016: Filming of "Wonderwell"
Carrie Fisher filmed "Wonderwell" with Rita Ora in Italy in 2016.
2016: Harvard College Award
Carrie Fisher received the Annual Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism from Harvard College in 2016 for her advocacy about addiction, mental illness, and agnosticism.
2016: Revelation of Affair with Harrison Ford
In her 2016 autobiography, "The Princess Diarist," Carrie Fisher revealed a three-month affair with Harrison Ford during the filming of Star Wars in 1976.
2016: Premiere of "Bright Lights" Documentary
The documentary "Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds" premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
2016: Release of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," released in 2016, featured digitally recreated young versions of Princess Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin, using computer animation to depict the characters in the Star Wars timeline leading up to the original trilogy.
2016: Saturn Award Nomination
Carrie Fisher received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2016 Saturn Awards for her performance as Princess Leia in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
January 5, 2017: Joint Memorial Service
On January 5, 2017, a private memorial service was held for both Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Fisher was cremated, while Reynolds was entombed. A portion of Fisher's ashes was placed with Reynolds.
January 6, 2017: Broadway Dims Lights in Tribute
On January 6, 2017, Broadway in Manhattan dimmed its lights for one minute to honor Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.
January 7, 2017: Broadcast of "Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds"
The documentary "Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds," showcasing the close bond between Fisher and her mother, aired on January 7, 2017.
January 9, 2017: Initial Death Certificate Issued
On January 9, 2017, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued Carrie Fisher's death certificate, citing "cardiac arrest/deferred" as the cause pending further investigation.
March 25, 2017: Public Memorial Service
A public memorial service for Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds took place on March 25, 2017, at the Hall of Liberty theater in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, and was streamed online.
April 4, 2017: Final Appearance on "Catastrophe"
Carrie Fisher's final appearance on the British comedy series "Catastrophe" aired in the UK on April 4, 2017. Her performance in this episode garnered significant attention and emotion from viewers, ultimately leading to a posthumous Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
June 16, 2017: Coroner's Report Released
On June 16, 2017, the Los Angeles County coroner's office released a statement regarding Carrie Fisher's death, stating that the exact cause was undetermined but listed sleep apnea and fatty tissue buildup in arteries as contributing factors.
June 19, 2017: Toxicology Report and Family Statement
A June 19, 2017 report revealed the presence of cocaine, heroin, opiates, and MDMA in Carrie Fisher's system, though the impact on her death remained unclear. Fisher's daughter highlighted her mother's openness about addiction and mental health struggles.
2017: Posthumous Disney Legend Induction
Carrie Fisher was posthumously honored as a Disney Legend in 2017.
2017: Unaired Appearance in "Urban Myths"
Carrie Fisher appeared as herself in an episode of "Urban Myths" (2017), which was never broadcast due to objections from the Jackson family regarding Joseph Fiennes' portrayal of Michael Jackson.
2017: Posthumous Release of "The Last Jedi"
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" featuring Carrie Fisher was released posthumously in 2017 and dedicated to her.
2017: Release of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" premiered in 2017, marking Carrie Fisher's final on-screen appearance as Princess Leia. Notably, director Rian Johnson revealed that Fisher had contributed significantly to the film, with many of her ideas and even some of Leia's lines making it into the final cut.
2018: Posthumous Grammy Award
Carrie Fisher won a posthumous Grammy Award in 2018 for Best Spoken Word Album for the audiobook of her memoir, "The Princess Diarist."
2019: Posthumous Appearance in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"
Carrie Fisher appeared posthumously in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," released in 2019. The film incorporated previously unused footage from "The Force Awakens" to feature her character, Princess Leia.
2019: Final Appearance as Princess Leia
Carrie Fisher made her final appearance as Princess Leia in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019, utilizing unreleased footage from "The Force Awakens."
June 2021: Hollywood Walk of Fame Announcement
In June 2021, it was announced that Carrie Fisher would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022.
2022: Planned Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Carrie Fisher was originally scheduled to receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame sometime in 2022.
June 23, 2023: Posthumous Release of "Wonderwell"
The film "Wonderwell," featuring Carrie Fisher and Rita Ora, had a limited release on June 23, 2023, after being filmed in 2016.
October 27, 2023: James Blunt Releases Tribute Song
On October 27, 2023, musician James Blunt, a friend of Carrie Fisher's, released an album that included "Dark Thought," a song about Fisher's passing.
2023: Posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Carrie Fisher received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame posthumously in 2023.
2023: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Award
Carrie Fisher was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Star Wars Day in 2023.