Actress Carrie Fisher portrays Princess Leia in "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980, the second film in the franchise. Fisher, 60, died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles last week. Image courtesy 20th Century Fox/Star Wars
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Iconic Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died Tuesday, her family announced. She was 60.
Family spokesman Simon Halls confirmed her death in a statement to People on the behalf of Billie Lourd, Fisher's daughter with ex-partner Bryan Lourd.
"It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Loud confirms that her beloved mother, Carrie Fisher, passed away at 8:55 this morning," the statement reads.
"She was loved by the world and will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers."
Fisher was hospitalized Friday after going into cardiac arrest on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds, said Sunday the actress was in "stable condition."
"Carrie is in stable condition. If there is a chance, we will share it. For all her fans & friends. I thank you for your prayers & good wishes," she tweeted.
Fisher was best known for playing Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars series of films. She most recently reprised the role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and briefly appeared as her younger self via CGI in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
"She was the brightest, funniest, bravest, kindest, cleverest and sweetest person I ever knew. A crushing blow to lose @carriefisher," actor Stephen Fry tweeted after the news.
"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 William Shatner added.
Fisher also appeared in such films as Shampoo, The Blues Brothers and When Harry Met Sally... . She is the daughter of Reynolds, an actress, and late singer Eddie Fisher. She is survived by Reynolds, Lourd, brother Todd Fisher, and half-sisters Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher.