Carrie Fisher was so beautiful, so perfect for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars films. She passed away in December of 2016. She will forever be fondly remembered. I loved her beautiful eyes and even more, her depth. What I was not aware of until just recently is that one of my lifelong songwriting heroes, Paul Simon, felt the same.
Fisher met musician Paul Simon while filming Star Wars, and they dated from 1977 until 1983.[6] In 1980, she was briefly engaged to Canadian actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd, who proposed to her on the set of their film The Blues Brothers. She said: “We had rings, we got blood tests, the whole shot. But then I got back together with Paul Simon.”[9]
Fisher was married to Simon from August 1983 to July 1984 and they dated again for a time after their divorce. While they were married Fisher appeared in Simon’s music video for the song “Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War”[10]. Simon’s song “Hearts and Bones”[11] is about their romance, and she is referred to in his song “Graceland”[12], which was written after their divorce. Fisher said she felt privileged to appear in Simon’s songs.
How could I have not known this for so long? It seems like a Mandela effect. Was this ever true before today April 3rd, 2024?
Finding this out is especially moving because I have been listening to an AI version of Elvis sing Simon’s Graceland and have been recently thinking how much I love the line in Graceland where Simon sings, “She comes back to tell me she’s gone. As if I didn’t know that. As if I didn’t know my own bed. As if I never noticed the way she brushes her hair from her forehead.” A few days ago I was wondering who it was about, having no idea. To find out it was Carrie Fisher! Wow. Beautiful. To think that two of favorite people were in love is great.
Carrie Fisher left a lasting impact on both the film industry and literature. She ventured into writing, becoming an acclaimed author with works like “Postcards from the Edge” and “The Princess Diarist.” Her writing style was characterized by brutal honesty, self-deprecation, and humor[3].
Her portrayal of Princess Leia revolutionized the perception of female characters in science fiction, showcasing women as strong, independent leaders. As Leia Organa, she not only entertained audiences but also inspired generations of women to see new possibilities for female characters in film[3].
Beyond her on-screen presence, Fisher’s candid writing delved into personal struggles, including her battle with bipolar disorder. Her openness about her challenges added depth to her legacy, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging flaws and embracing imperfections in an industry that often idealizes perfection[3].
Carrie Fisher’s untimely death in 2016 marked a significant loss to the entertainment world. Fans and colleagues continue to remember her not only for her portrayal of Princess Leia but also for her contributions to literature and her unapologetically authentic approach to life and art[5].
Citations
[1] https://cinema-cities.com/2016/12/29/remembering-carrie-fisher-and-debbie-reynolds/
[2] https://www.cineworld.ie/static/en/ie/blog/carrie-fisher-remembering-twelve-best-leia-moments-on-birthday
[3] https://americanwritersmuseum.org/remembering-carrie-fisher-the-writer/
[4] https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/local-news/local-star-wars-fans-remember-actress-carrie-fisher-for-her-role-as-princess-leia/article_b7a93e69-51f9-59dd-8d98-e5ff65c24614.html
[5] https://3brothersfilm.com/blog/2017/01/remembering-carrie-fisher
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Simon
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Aykroyd
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blues_Brothers_(film)
[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Fisher#cite_note-CT_2008-104
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_and_Georgette_Magritte_with_Their_Dog_after_the_War
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearts_and_Bones
[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graceland_(song)
