She was the vengeful girlfriend of John Belushi in The Blues Brothers, appeared in the smash hit When Harry Met Sally, and was a therapist in an Austin Powers movie.
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She was also a novelist and diarist, a scriptwriter and script doctor, an activist for mental health awareness and for those fighting addiction.
But for everyone the late Carrie Fisher will forever be the feisty, plucky Princess Leia from the phenomena that are the Star Wars films.
Carrie Fisher died on Tuesday of complications following a cardiac arrest. She was 60.
Although next year will mark its 40th anniversary, the original Star Wars remains a benchmark for its combination of sci-fi, action, adventure and humour. A great part of its success was was due to the banter between Leia and Han Solo, and Fisher’s ability to create a fully rounded character from what might have been a fey stereotype.
Ballarat’s Brock Dawson said in his childhood there were no Wiggles to distract him. Instead he recalls watching Star Wars over and over with his father, who was also a huge fan.
“I think my dad taped it off GTV6,” Mr Dawson said.
“He paused out all the ads. I think I’ve seen it over 100 times.”
Mr Dawson says that he regards the way that Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia as a legitimate role model for his daughters.
“You see Darth Vader, the scariest dude in the galaxy – and she mouths off at him; tells him he stinks,” said Mr Dawson.
“I mean her whole planet gets blown up in front of her, but she never gives up. My daughters are very sad today. I don’t mind Carrie being a role model for them.”
Actress Stephanie Elkington, who played Mission Vao in the Ballarat-based fan film The Old Republic: Rescue Mission, says Fisher gave her the inspiration to play her character as brave and crafty.
The film, which won awards for its detailed reconstruction of a time 3000 years before the actual Star Wars films, involved many of Melbourne’s cosplay community and was shot across the state.
“I definitely was influenced by her, as a woman and an actress,” said Ms Elkington.
Michael Irwin, who developed the film with Dean Musumeci, says Fisher created Princess Leia, but in a way the character’s success gave Fisher the freedom to be herself.
- World reacts to Carrie Fisher’s death: page 11
