CARRIE Fisher, the actress who shot to stardom as Princess Leia in the Star Wars film saga, has died at the age of 60.
Fisher, who became an international screen star and sex symbol when she appeared in the series' first sci-fi blockbuster in 1977, passed away in California on Tuesday morning, a family spokesman said.
She had been in hospital since suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on December 23.
In a statement released on behalf of Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd, spokesman Simon Halls said: "It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8.55 this morning.
"She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers."
Fisher captured the hearts of a generation of young men as the blaster-toting, bikini-wearing princess and tough resistance leader in the three original Star Wars films.
Her character had a simmering romance with Harrison Ford's Han Solo throughout the films - 1977's A New Hope, 1980's The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return Of The Jedi - and was revealed to be the twin sister of the main character Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill.
Hamill led tributes from the Star Wars cast, tweeting a picture of himself with Fisher from the set alongside the caption: "No words £Devastated."
Anthony Daniels, who played the android C3PO, said: "I thought I had got what I wanted under the tree. I didn't. In spite of so many thoughts and prayers from so many. I am very, very sad."
Billy Dee Williams, who played buccaneer turned resistance general Lando Calrissian alongside Fisher in The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, said: "I'm deeply saddened at the news of Carrie's passing. She was a dear friend, whom I greatly respected and admired. The force is dark today!"
Fisher had made headlines recently with a revelation from her book claiming she had an "intense" affair with co-star Ford during the making of Star Wars.
She claimed she had a three-month romance with Ford - a married father-of-two at the time - which she kept secret for 40 years.
She told People magazine: "It was so intense. It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend."
Fisher was 19 at the time of the alleged affair in 1976, 14 years younger than 33-year-old Ford.
Fisher reprised her role alongside Ford in 2015's seventh film in the franchise, The Force Awakens, where her character had matured into a seasoned and respected resistance general who shared a son with Solo.
She had been due to appear in Star Wars VIII, which is scheduled for release in December 2017.
The actress was born in Beverly Hills, California, to actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher, who also found fame hosting his own television show.
She made her acting debut in 1975 in Shampoo, starring alongside household names such as Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn.
