Celebrity News December 28, 2016
Debbie Reynolds Dead at 84
One day after her daughter Carrie Fisher died at 60, Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds has passed away at 84.
TMZ reports that Reynolds died after suffering a stroke in Beverly Hills earlier this afternoon. Though Debbie was rushed to the hospital, she could not be saved.
At the time she fell ill, Debbie was at her son Todd Fisher's home, where she was reportedly planning Carrie's funeral. Fifteen minutes before her stroke, she told Todd, "I miss her so much, I want to be with Carrie."
After his mother's surprising death, Todd told E! News, "She went to be with Carrie. In fact, those were the last words that she spoke this morning. More specifically, she said that she really, she was under a lot of stress."
"She held it together beautifully, obviously, for the last couple of days but she was under a lot of emotion and stress from the loss [of Carrie] and it's pretty much what triggered this event," he added.
Todd went on to explain that his mom was not able to see his sister before her plane emergency, due to Carrie's busy travel schedule, saying, "She didn't get to see her because Carrie was on her way back from England and none of us really got to see her other than in the hospital."
The day before, Debbie mourned Carrie's passing on Facebook, writing, "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."
Reynolds, a musical star who worked steadily from 1950 until about three years ago, is best-known for her roles in the iconic movie musical "Singin' in the Rain” (1952); “Tammy and the Bachelor” (1957), in which she sang the #1 pop hit “Tammy”; “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” (1965), for which she received a Best Actress Oscar nomination; and the Albert Brooks film “Mother” (1996). More recently, she played pianist Liberace's mother in the HBO drama “Behind the Candelabra” (2013).
Along with innumerable TV appearances, Reynolds played the mother of Debra Messing's character on “Will & Grace” from 1999 until 2006.
She was given the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 and the 2016 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, the latter of which she accepted on video in spite of her failing health.
An avid collector of movie memorabilia, Reynolds acquired thousands of rare artifacts, starting her collection at the 1970 auction by MGM of its wardrobe and props. After upkeep of her collection began weighing her down financially, Reynolds was forced to sell most of it at three massive auctions held between 2011 and 2014. The auctions, which included a pair of ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) and Marilyn Monroe's white “Seven Year Itch” (1955) halter dress, earned Reynolds tens of millions of dollars.
Reynolds' final screen appearance will be in the documentary “Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds,” an HBO film chronicling the warm and quirky relationship between Reynolds and Fisher. That film is currently scheduled to air in January.
After news broke about her death, many celebrities took to social media to mourn her. See the tweets below.
I can't imagine what Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds' family are going through this week. I send all of my love.
@TheEllenShow
So heartsick. Debbie went to be with Carrie. It's such a devastating 1,2 punch. She was my "mom" for years & I loved her dearly.A legend.
@DebraMessing
The combination of the loss of @carrieffisher & then her mom @DebbieReynolds1 is too much. I'm really at a loss here... #toomuch16
@EricMcCormack
#DebbieReynolds has just died. This is too hard to comprehend. Beautiful, talented, devoted to her craft, she follows Carrie, dead days ago.
@BetteMidler
Debbie Reynolds' last words: "I want to be with Carrie," son says. 😭#RIPCarrieFisher #RIPDebbieReynolds pic.twitter.com/yBpdmGXXst
@_DaisyRidley_
I can't imagine what kind of pain the family of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are feeling right now. My prayers are with them.
@GabbySidibe
I'll always cherish our dances together...#RIP #Icon #DebbieReynolds pic.twitter.com/3c6WEsz2sM
@MarioLopezExtra
It is beyond astonishing that both @carrieffisher & @DebbieReynolds1 have left this earth. I overwhelmingly adored & admired them both. 😢🌹🌹 pic.twitter.com/emLn1ZvwUd
@SeanHayes