Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Celebrated at Public Memorial
Over a thousand fans, friends, and family members gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills Saturday afternoon to attend a public memorial service celebrating Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. The service came a few months after the mom and daughter passed away unexpectedly in December 2016. Speakers and performers included Todd Fisher (son of Debbie, brother of Carrie), Dan Aykroyd (Fisher's former boyfriend), the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, and an IRL R2D2.
Todd Fisher opened the event by explaining how the afternoon was "a show and not a memorial because my mother didn’t like memorials and funerals," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Todd also mentioned his mother's peaceful departure, describing how "she looked at me to ask for permission to leave, said she wanted to be with Carrie, closed her eyes and went to sleep." Dan Aykroyd celebrated the two women as well, explaining how he "know[s] these women will have a song for us when we arrive at the crossing."
The memorial included montages that highlighted their careers alongside family footage, interviews, and their humanitarian efforts. John Williams scored music for the event, and Fisher's good friend James Blunt wrote a
new song to honor the women's legacies. The final line sang "I'm here to let you know. I'm here to let you go," to which many audience members openly wept, according to the LA Times. Reynolds also received a military color-guard tribute for her work with veterans and mental illness, including visiting soldiers during the Korean War and establishing The Thalians.
Fans from as far as Seattle and Arizona came to L.A. for the event. Many of the fans expressed sentiments of wanting to support the two women and honor their lives. Kathleen Campbell of Hollywood said, despite not knowing them personally, she "decided to come out and let them know that they had a lot of friends that they didn’t know they had," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Heather Jackson of Arizona said, "It feels like we're here to mourn — and to celebrate — a family member today. I mean, we all grew up with them," according to the LA Times.
Fisher and Reynolds are laid to rest next to each other at Forest Lawn.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
