Famous Half-Jews: Carrie Fisher

[Gary Freedman]

Carrie Frances Fisher (born October 21, 1956) is an American actress, screenwriter and novelist. She is most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy and her bestselling novel Postcards from the Edge.

Fisher was born in Beverly Hills, California, the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds. Her paternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Russia. Her younger brother is Todd Fisher and her half-sisters are actresses Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher. Joely and Tricia's mother is the actress Connie Stevens.

When Carrie Fisher was two, her parents divorced, and her father married actress Elizabeth Taylor. The following year, her mother married shoe store chain owner Harry Karl who secretly spent her life savings. It was assumed from an early age that Carrie would go into the family show business. She began appearing with her mother in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 12. Carrie attended Beverly Hills High School, but she left to join her mother on the road. She appeared as a debutante and singer in the hit Broadway revival Irene (1973) starring her mother.

And the rest is history!