The late Carrie Fisher finally received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. This long overdue recognition is a testament to her significant impact on the entertainment industry and the immense contributions she made during her career.
Fisher's Star Wars co-star, Mark Hamill, recently paid tribute to her ahead of the ceremony, reminiscing about the first time they met.
Hamill said:
“I was completely unprepared for the person I met, who just was overwhelming, in the sense that she seemed so much wiser than her years. Very funny, very spontaneous, very witty.”
He said Fisher was “the perfect person in the perfect role," adding:
"She was as far from a damsel in distress as you could get. She was in charge of her own rescue. I think that first impression that the audience got really established how they perceived Carrie overall, and she just grew from there.”
"There are people that you encounter in life that are so vibrant and make such a profound impact on you, they stay with you forever."
"Had she only done Princess Leia, that would be enough. Had she just written one book, that alone would be something that would be enough to satisfy someone who wanted to make a mark on the world."
"But she did it from every different direction… She really was just such an original.”
To Hamill, Fisher was the perfect fit for the role of Princess Leia, a strong and empowered character who was in charge of her own rescue. He noted that the "first impression that the audience got really established how they perceived Carrie overall, and she just grew from there.”
Hamill also spoke at the ceremony to pay tribute to his "beloved space twin:"
\u201cMark Hamill reads a note he wrote about Carrie Fisher shortly after her death: "I\u2019m grateful for the laughter, the wisdom, the kindness, and even the bratty, self indulgent crap my beloved space twin drove me crazy with through the years." https://t.co/jrTiptXtdf\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1683231682
The complete ceremony can be watched below.
🔴 LIVE: Carrie Fisher Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony | PEOPLEwww.youtube.com
Many appreciated Hamill's tribute and expressed their love for the late actor.
\u201c@AP Thinking of you today, @MarkHamill, as you honour your dear friend, #CarrieFisher\u201d— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1683203405
\u201c@AP Love love love you Carrie Fisher!\u201d— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1683203405
\u201c@Variety Im not crying \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1683231682
\u201c@AP @MrJonCryer I love this. What took them so long?!\u201d— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1683235800
\u201c@AP An honour and recognition truly deserving. Her spirit continues to soar the universe\u2728\ufe0f\u201d— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1683203405
\u201c@AP She deserves it. Carrie Fisher is a huge part of the Star Wars franchise.\u201d— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1683203405
\u201c@AP Long overdue honor for a Hollywood legend who bravely shared her mental illness and drug addiction with the world so that others could feel seen.\u201d— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press) 1683203405
Fisher's influence extended beyond her iconic role in Star Wars.
She was also a talented writer, actress, and advocate for mental health awareness. Her wit and humor were evident in her numerous books, including Postcards from the Edge and The Princess Diarist, where she shared personal stories about her experiences in Hollywood.
Fisher's legacy is a testament to the impact one person can have on the world. Her strength, wit, and talent continue to inspire people around the globe, and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a well-deserved recognition for her enduring contributions.