Fans honor Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher with poignant illustrations
The sudden death of Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds just one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher has shocked celebrities and fans alike.
News of their deaths has touched many, triggering an outpouring of emotion. Some fans were moved to create drawings of either Fisher, Reynolds or both as a way to honor the memory of the stars. These images have spread across social media, some getting thousands of retweets and shares.
Shocked and saddened -- that’s how Norio Fujikawa described the emotions that washed over him when he learn about the death of Fisher and then her mother.
“I watched ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ in a film class in college and loved it,” he told CBS News. “’Good Morning’ is one of my all time favorite numbers in the musical.”
Fujikawa grew up as a fan of “Star Wars,” and he was thrilled to see Fisher light up the big screen recently in her role as General Leia Organa in the 2015 “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” movie.
“[I] was so excited to see Carried Fisher back as Leia. Then to have her mom pass so soon after is unbelievable,” he said
For him, Fisher was far more than just a movie icon. “I know she had talents beyond the screen,” he said. “I know she meant so much to a lot of girls and women. I know that she will be missed.”
Jon Garcia, an illustrator in Austin, Texas, told CBS News he was devastated when he heard the news about Fisher.
“After the rough year that was 2016, it was certainly hard to comprehend,” the “Star Wars” fan said.
The news of her death moved him to create a black and white illustration of Fisher portraying Princess Leia.
“Carrie Fisher was a true inspiration to us all and I was delighted that there was a princess in pop culture that did the saving,” Garcia said.
Fisher was a big role model for his sister too.
“My little sister admired her and Carrie’s no-nonsense attitude gave the world a truly strong woman who didn’t play second fiddle to anyone. She was truly our princess and all ‘Star Wars’ fans will truly miss her,” he said.
He was also inspired to draw other notable celebrities who died this year as a tribute.
“2016 has pressed many to the breaking point, and the notable passings were very much a tangible representation of what was seemingly lost over the year,” he said.
But he hopes that the memories of people like Fisher and Reynolds will remind people to stay hopeful.
“The positive is that the inspiration and emotion behind the talented people we lost will drive many of us to be better and try to inspire others in our own ways and maybe perhaps unite us, if even a little bit,” he said.
Nick Harvey is also honoring Fisher and Reynolds by drawing and sharing tributes of the actresses on Instagram.
A huge “Star Wars” fan, Harvey took to his drawing pad when he learned about Fisher’s death, also sketching out an image of Princess Leia.
He also shared an illustration he made, featuring characters from the 1998 Disney Channel movie ‘HalloweenTown” once he learned about Reynolds’ death too. It was a movie he had watched many times.
“I grew up watching Debbie Reynolds movies and like many others, I was saddened to hear the news of her passing,” he said. “I’ll miss both women deeply.”
