Fisher and Reynolds lauded at memorial
Banderas says he’s recovered
LOS ANGELES, March 27, (Agencies): Motherdaughter-mother actresses Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, who died in December just a day apart, were remembered by fans and friends on Saturday at a public memorial service in the Hollywood Hills, where they were laid to rest side-by-side in January.
Comedian Dan Aykroyd, who was once engaged to Fisher, and actor Griffin Dunne, her close friend, paid tribute to the actress best known as “Star Wars”’ Princess Leia, who later found success through her satirical writing skills in literature, film and on Broadway. The memorial featured home videos and photo montages set to music, as well as performances by the Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and dancers from the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio.
Reynolds was remembered by actress Ruta Lee, who urged fans not to mourn, but rather take delight in the “Singin’ in the Rain” star’s life.
Hundreds of fans lined up for hours to say a final goodbye, many placing flowers at their grave.
Fisher, 60, died on Dec 27, four days after suffering a heart attack on a flight from Britain where she had been shooting the third season of a British television comedy.
A day late, Reynolds, who sang and danced her way into the hearts of moviegoers in Hollywood musicals, suffered a stroke and died at the age of 84.
“When we heard about what happened ... it honestly felt like a family member that I’ve loved for decades was gone,” said Liza Rios-Proprofsky, a Fisher fan who had a “Star Wars”-themed wedding.
Reynolds fan Barbara Doss reflected that “They’re both so unsinkable,” in a reference to one of Reynolds’ most memorable roles, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”
“Debbie always said she was unsinkable, and that’s so true,” she added. “They were strong, amazing women, and I’m so happy that (Reynolds’) son did this for us so we can come and pay our respects,” she said of Todd Fisher, who arranged the memorial.
“This entire thing I’m calling a show, not a memorial,” Fisher said. “Because my mother didn’t like memorials or funerals. She liked shows and parties. She also loved her people, and you are all her people — not just her close friends but her extended family, her fans.”
The tribute spanned decades of Hollywood history, with a hip-hop version of “Singin’ in the Rain,” scores of candid family photographs, and an appearance by R2D2.
Fans started lining up outside the Hall of Liberty at 7 a.m., seeking to pay their respects one last time. Kenneth Parkhurst, 43, drove down from his home in the Sacramento area.
“I have a life-size Yoda at my home. ‘Star Wars’ is part of who I am,” Parkhurst said, adding that he found it a touching send-off. “Everyone knows Carrie as a princess. You got to learn about Carrie as a person.”
“Carrie’s life would never be the same,” he said. “Our friendship never changed.”Gavin de Becker, who was also part of the Beverly Hills group, delivered deeply heartfelt remarks in which he remembered Fisher’s electric presence as a teenager.
“We all had a crush on Carrie like you wouldn’t believe,” he said. They would go down the hallway together singing “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” her life was touched with glamour, he said.
Suffering
Also:
MADRID: Spanish film star Antonio Banderas says he has recovered from a heart attack that he had in January.
The 56-year-old Banderas tells Spanish media that “I suffered a heart attack on Jan. 26, but it wasn’t serious and hasn’t caused any damage.”
Banderas says he underwent a procedure to place three stents in his arteries, adding that “it hasn’t been as dramatic as some have written.”
Banderas’ visit to a Swiss clinic had led to speculation about the health of the star known for roles in such films as “The Mask of Zorro,” “Desperado,” “Philadelphia” and the animated “Puss in Boots.”
Banderas spoke Saturday at a film festival in his hometown of Malaga in southern Spain, where he received a lifetime achievement award for his career as an actor, director and producer.