Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia in Star Wars, Died at 60

Carrie Fisher, the actress best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars films, died Tuesday following a massive heart attack last week. She died at 60,

Simon Halls, a spokesman of Fisher's family, released a statement on behalf of Carrie's daughter, Billie Lourd.

"It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning," the statement to People said.

"She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers."

The actress is the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and screen legend Debbie Reynolds, and she made her Broadway debut as a teenager in Irene, which starred her mother. She made her big screeen debut in Shampoo (1975) and after briefly aenrolling in the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and St. Lawrence College, Fisher dropped out, at the age of 19, after being cast as Princess Leia in George Lucas' 1977 space epic Star Wars.