A celebration is in order for Carrie Fisher, who turns 57 years old today. Born to famous, fighting parents Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Fisher hasn’t always had it easy in life, but she’s managed to come out on top after dealing with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as mental illness.
Of course, audiences know Fisher for her career-making turn as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars film in 1977, as well as Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back. If there’s any truth to the glorious rumors, there will be a Leia Solo present alongside Han in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII.
Unfortunately, we’ll all die long before that news is ever officially confirmed, so let’s focus on a few other fantastic roles that Fisher already has under her belt. There’s the nameless, but ruthless badass Mystery Woman who does everything possible to take down Jake and Elwood in The Blues Brothers after the former leaves her at the altar. She detonates buildings without a hint of emotion; she’s so thirsty for revenge.
Then there is her turn as Meg Ryan’s best friend Marie in When Harry Met Sally; while the film’s name conjures up images of the twosome, it’s more of an ensemble comedy that also involves their soon-to-be-married best friends – who only got together because they both happened to hate both Harry and Sally. She’s biting and sarcastic, and quite frankly, Billy Crystal would have been lucky to have her.
Her guest role on 30 Rock in 2007, though brief, was a recent reminder that Carrie Fisher has serious acting chops. As Rosemary Howard, a pioneer for females in the television writing industry and Liz Lemon’s idol, she delivered comedy gold and dialed up the crazy in one fell swoop. Then she showed Liz that she really, really actually didn’t want to be like her after all.
Fisher is also a gifted writer, turning two of her autobiographies into entertainment for public consumption. Postcards From the Edge, a semi-autobiographical novel about a mother and daughter in show business (sound familiar?) turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep in 1990. Not too shabby. Wishful Drinking went from a stage show in 2006, and then morphed into a book, which turned into a documentary that moved back to the stage. Still following? Good, because it gained rave reviews for the cathartic and funny portrayal of her very real problems. That takes some guts.
If you’re in the mood for something interesting: Netflix Instant has White Lightnin’ a film from 2009 starring Fisher, about the Dancin’ Outlaw Jesco White. After his father is murdered, White uses the art of mountain dancing to try to curb his desire for revenge, but finds it’s just too strong. I’m sold.
