“Star Wars” creator George Lucas paid tribute to Carrie Fisher on Tuesday, calling her “extremely smart” and “talented.”
“Carrie and I have been friends most of our adult lives,” he said in a statement (via People). “She was extremely smart; a talented actress, writer and comedienne with a very colorful personality that everyone loved,” he said.
“In ‘Star Wars’ she was our great and powerful princess – feisty, wise and full of hope in a role that was more difficult than most people might think. My heart and prayers are with Billie, Debbie and all Carrie’s family, friends and fans. She will be missed by all,” added Lucas.
Fisher was cast by Lucas in “Star Wars” when she was just 19 years old. She played Princess Leia in five “Star Wars” films over the course of her career, including next year’s “Star Wars: Episode VIII.”
Leia makes an appearance in this month’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” though Fisher was digitally recreated in the film to align with movie’s pre-original trilogy timeline.
Fisher passed away on Tuesday after suffering a major heart attack on a plane from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23. Her friends, co-stars and admirers took to social media after news broke to pay tribute to the beloved actress, remembering her talent, accomplishments and outspoken personality.
“No words,” Fisher’s co-star Mark Hamill wrote in a tweet, accompanied by a photo of them together in character. “Devastated.”
Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo in the sci-fi series, remembered Fisher as “funny and emotionally fearless” in a statement on Tuesday.
“Carrie was one-of-a-kind…brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless,” he said. “She lived her life, bravely…My thoughts are with her daughter Billie, her Mother Debbie, her brother Todd, and her many friends. We will all miss her.”