Family, celebrities pay tribute to 'brilliant, fearless' Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" films, died on Tuesday aged 60, her family said. Celebrities and fellow actors flooded social media with expressions of shock and condolences.

STAR WARS: EPISODE V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK [US 1980] Source: Mary Evans Picture Library

Co-stars, friends and fans added their voices on Wednesday to a torrent of tributes from Hollywood for "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher, after she died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.

The screen icon, who was catapulted to worldwide stardom as rebel warrior Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, was pronounced dead in Los Angeles, four days after collapsing on a transatlantic flight.

Here is a selection of the most notable tributes:

Family

Fisher's mother, the actress Debbie Reynolds:

"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." 

Simon Halls on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, actress Billie Lourd:

"She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly."

Hollywood

Star Wars creator George Lucas:

"Carrie and I have been friends most of our adult lives. She was extremely smart; a talented actress, writer and comedienne with a very colorful personality that everyone loved."

"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. ... She will be missed by all."

Star Wars actor Harrison Ford:

"Carrie was one-of-a-kind ... brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless. 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."

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself)

"No words #Devastated."

Star Trek actor William Shatner (@williamshatner)

"I'm deeply saddened to learn of the death of Carrie Fisher. I will miss our banterings. A wonderful talent & light has been extinguished."

Actor Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker)

"Very saddened to see another beautiful light leaving us too soon. RIP #CarrieFisher. May you continue to be held in Gods warm embrace."

Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg)

"Carrie Fisher has passed, she was funnier & smarter than anyone had the right to be. Sail On Silver Girl. Condolences Debbie & Billie R.I.P."

Bette Midler (@BetteMidler)

"Carrie Fisher didn't make it. I am so terribly sorry, and send my sincere condolences to her family, friends and fans all around the world."

Stephen Fry (@stephenfry)

"She was the brightest, funniest, bravest, kindest, cleverest and sweetest person I ever knew. A crushing blow to lose @carriefisher"

Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest)

"Thoughts and prayers to Carrie Fisher's family."

Ellen Degeneres (@TheEllenShow)

"@CarriefFisher was a brilliant writer, actor, and friend. She was so much fun. I can't believe she's gone."

Seth Macfarlane (@SethMacFarlane)

"Carrie Fisher was smart, funny, talented, surprising, and always a hell of a fun time to be around. Family Guy will miss her immensely."

Tina Fey 

"Carrie Fisher meant a lot to me. Like many women my age, Princess Leia occupies about sixty percent of my brain at any given time. But Carrie's honest writing and her razor-sharp wit were an even greater gift. I feel so lucky that I got to meet her. I'm very sad she is gone."

Elizabeth Banks 

"#CarrieFisher was so witty and provocative and unrelentingly interesting. Goddamn, I loved her. Everyone did."

Actor Margaret Cho (@margaretcho)

"We just lost a great ally for mental health and addiction. Be strong, be as strong as she'd want you to be. Rest in paradise @carrieffisher"

Actor Albert Brooks (‏@AlbertBrooks)

"R.I.P. Carrie Fisher. A brilliantly funny, talented woman. We will miss your humor now more than ever."

Steve Martin (‏@SteveMartinToGo)

"When I was a young man, Carrie Fisher she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She turned out to be witty and bright as well."

Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger 

"Carrie Fisher was one-of-a-kind, a true character who shared her talent and her truth with us all with her trademark wit and irreverence. Millions fell in love with her as the indomitable Princess Leia; she will always have a special place in the hearts of Star Wars fans as well as all of us who were lucky enough to know her personally. She will be sorely missed, and we join millions of fans and friends around the world who mourn her loss today."