Actress Debbie Reynolds died at the age of 84 in Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 28, her son confirmed to the Associated Press. Find out more and watch classic moments from her films and life in the video above.
The Hollywood icon passed away after being rushed to the hospital earlier in the day following a medical emergency, believed to be a stroke, at her son Todd Fisher’s home in Beverly Hills.
Reynolds’ death comes just a day after her daughter, Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, died at Los Angeles’ UCLA Medical Center at the age of 60. Reynolds had reportedly been distraught since Fisher suffered a medical emergency on a flight from London to LAX on Friday.
“She wanted to be with Carrie,” Todd told Variety after his mother’s death. Speaking with the AP from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, he added that the stress of Carrie’s death “was too much” for her.
A Hollywood icon, Reynolds appeared in many classic movies, including Singin’ in the Rain, and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in 1964’s musical comedy The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso, Texas, the actress later moved to Los Angeles and became a local beauty queen before catching the eye of studio executives, who changed her name and signed her to a studio contract.
She was known for her personal life, too, and famously divorced Carrie’s father, pop star Eddie Fisher, after he caused one of the biggest scandals of the day by leaving her for Elizabeth Taylor in 1958. Reynolds was also previously married to Harry Karl and Richard Hamlett.
Reynolds and her famous daughter at times had a contentious relationship. Fisher’s bestselling novel Postcards From the Edge, about an actress and her Hollywood mother, was believed to be based on their stormy dynamic.
She is survived by her son, Todd, and her granddaughter, Scream Queens actress Billie Lourd.
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