Actress Carrie Fisher has died. The Star Wars legend is being remembered for her iconic role as "Princess Leia," but also as an outspoken mental health advocate. NY1 Film Critic Neil Rosen takes a look back at Fisher's life and career. 

Carrie Fisher will be remembered best for her iconic role as intergalactic Princess Leia in Star Wars.

She rocketed to fame playing the character in 1977 in the original film, continued to play that role in the next two installments of the series The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi, and 32 years later she reprised the role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

She had just recently wrapped production on Star Wars episode VIII which will be out in theatres at the end of next year.

The character of Princess Leia was tough, strong and independent. Female roles like that were very rare back in 1977 and it helped change the image of women on screen in Hollywood as she became something of a female role model and an inspiration for women.

The hairstyle with the buns on each side, which she thought was idiotic by the way, and the white gown became a part of the culture.

She was the daughter of screen legend Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher and she was quoted as saying she was trained in celebrity, that it was the only life she knew and so she decided to go into the family business.

She wrote several books where she discussed her battles with alcoholism, drug abuse and bi-polar disorder. Her semi-autobiographical book Postcards From The Edge was made into a movie.

She wrote the screenplay for the film, which starred Meryl Streep as a thinly-veiled version of Fisher. She also had a one-woman show on Broadway called Wishful Drinking where she openly discussed her many struggles.

Before she suffered the heart attack she was on tour promoting her latest book, The Princess Diar, which chronicled her time making Star Wars.

She made her screen debut opposite Warren Beatty in Shampoo and played Meg Ryan's best friend in When Harry Met Sally.

She was also briefly married to music legend Paul Simon.

She is survived by her mother, her brother and her daughter. Carrie Fisher was 60.