The day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds has died.
The 1950s queen of the silver screen suffered a stroke Wednesday, Dec. 28, and died later that day. She was 84, although, according to her son, Todd Fisher, the sudden death of her daughter, not her age, likely had more to do with the stroke. According to the Associated Press, he said the stress of his sister’s death “was too much” for Reynolds.
She died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The day before, she took to Facebook to thank her daughter’s fans:
“Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carries Mother [sic],” she posted.
It would be her final post.
Two films stand in Reynolds’ storied career: The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Reynolds earned an Academy Award nomination for the former, but proved herself in the latter — she had never danced before yet the 19-year-old dazzled movie houses alongside Gene Kelly.
She leaves behind her son, Todd Fisher, and a granddaughter, Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher’s daughter.
This article appears in Dec 29, 2016 – Jan 5, 2017.
