Carrie Fisher
ActorWriter
AdvocateUnited States
1956–2016
Carrie Fisher was an American actor and writer best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films. She also built a substantial career as a novelist, memoirist and screenwriter, including Postcards from the Edge, Wishful Drinking and The Princess Diarist. Fisher spoke publicly and repeatedly about living with bipolar disorder and became a highly visible advocate for reducing stigma around serious mental illness. [8][10]
Career and work
Fisher made her film debut in Shampoo (1975) and became internationally known two years later as Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars. She returned to the role throughout the original trilogy and decades later in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Her other film and television work included Hannah and Her Sisters, When Harry Met Sally... and Catastrophe. [8]
Alongside acting, Fisher developed a substantial career as a writer and screenwriter. Her 1987 novel Postcards from the Edge was adapted into a 1990 film from her own screenplay, and she went on to publish novels and memoirs including Surrender the Pink, Wishful Drinking and The Princess Diarist. She also became a highly sought-after Hollywood script doctor, doing uncredited rewriting on films including Sister Act, The River Wild and The Wedding Singer. [8]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Fresh AirRemembering ‘Star Wars’ Actress Carrie Fisher A long-form interview covering Fisher’s bipolar diagnosis, her initial rejection of it, substance use, experiences of mania and depression, lithium treatment and how she came to accept the diagnosis.
podcast or transcriptPsychology TodayInterview: The Fisher Queen Covers Fisher’s severe episode involving depression, prolonged sleeplessness, psychosis, hallucinations, delusional beliefs and psychiatric hospitalization.
interviewCBS News, 2004Carrie Fisher’s open book Supports the dating of Fisher’s psychotic break to 1997 and provides additional background on her public discussion of bipolar disorder.
book or publisher page
View all 10 sources
Fresh AirCarrie Fisher Opens Up About ‘Star Wars,’ the Gold Bikini and Her On-Set Affair Includes Fisher’s discussion of electroconvulsive therapy and her experience of ECT as a treatment for severe depression.
podcast or transcriptLos Angeles TimesCarrie Fisher memoir ‘Wishful Drinking’ Discusses Fisher’s mental-health history, bipolar disorder and her use of electroconvulsive therapy, including maintenance ECT.
book or publisher pageBeliefnet / bp MagazineAn interview with Carrie Fisher Includes Fisher’s description of bipolar disorder as an unpredictable part of her life and her discussion of recognizing and managing changes in mood.
interviewTIME10 Questions for Carrie Fisher Includes Fisher’s perspective on living with mental illness and the importance of treatment and support.
article or webpageThe Guardian, 2016Carrie Fisher obituary Provides biographical and career information, including her work as Princess Leia, novelist, memoirist, screenwriter and Hollywood script doctor.
book or publisher pageThe Guardian, 2016Carrie Fisher gives advice on living with bipolar disorder Fisher’s own advice to a reader with bipolar disorder, including her perspective on stigma, community, support and living with a serious mental illness. It provides the quotation used in the profile.
profile or biographyHarvard Gazette, 2016Carrie Fisher of ‘Star Wars’ fame continues the battle Covers Fisher’s public mental-health advocacy and recognition for helping reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.
article or webpage
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Carrie Fisher and their experiences.
- Wishful DrinkingBook · Carrie Fisher, 2008
Fisher’s memoir, adapted from her one-woman stage show, covers her Hollywood career, substance use, bipolar disorder, psychiatric treatment and electroconvulsive therapy in her characteristic comic style.
- ShockaholicBook · Carrie Fisher, 2011
A later memoir in which Fisher writes about psychiatric treatment, electroconvulsive therapy, addiction, therapy and other parts of her personal and professional life.
- Wishful DrinkingDocumentary · HBO
A filmed version of Fisher’s autobiographical stage production, in which she discusses her life, career, family, addiction and mental illness through storytelling and comedy.