Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds has died, just a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. Debbie's son, Todd Fisher, announced his mother's death late on Wednesday, 28 December. She was 84-years-old and suffered a suspected stroke.
The Oscar nominated singer and actress passed away hours after being rushed to hospital in Los Angeles. Her death came less than 24 hours after her daughter Carrie died at the age of 60 having suffered a heart attack on a transatlantic flight from London just before Christmas.
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"She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken," Todd told reporters at the hospital, adding that the stress of his sister's death "was too much" for her. "She said, 'I want to be with Carrie'," Mr Fisher added. "And then she was gone. The only thing we’re taking solace in is that what she wanted to do was take care of her daughter, which is what she did best,” he added.
The Hollywood star fell ill at her son's house in Beverly Hills.TMZ, who were the first to report Debbie's hospitalisation, reports the duo were discussing funeral plans.
Carrie's half sister, Joely Fisher, took to Twitter to express her dismay. "Some of the magic people have left the tribe...for the moment I am inconsolable..."
A host of other tributes poured in from stars. "Debbie Reynolds was one of the last of Hollywood Royalty. It breaks my heart that she is gone," tweeted William Shatner.
"Truly heartbroken to hear @DebbieReynolds1 has died," Joan Collins wrote on Twitter. "She was a wonderfully warm friend and colleague. Praying for Todd & Billie."
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Debra Messing, who played Debbie's daughter in Will & Grace was also devastated. "Carrie left too soon and now they are together again," she wrote via Instagram. "My heart is literally broken.... An inspiration on every level. A Legend of course, the epitome of clean cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working."
Debbie's first breakthrough role was alongside Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain in 1952. She went on to be nominated for a best actress Oscar for The Unsinkable Molly Brown in 1964. She received an honorary Oscar in 2015 but was too ill to attend the ceremony. Carrie's daughter, Billie Lourd, accepted the gong in her place.
