Debbie Reynolds, Singin' in the Rain star and mother of Carrie Fisher, dies aged 84

Updated

US actress Debbie Reynolds, who lit up the screen in Singin' in the Rain and other Hollywood classics, has died after suffering a stroke just one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher.

Key points: Debbie Reynolds, 84, had been in frail health for the past year

Her son Todd Fisher said death of her daughter Carrie Fisher was "too much" for Reynolds

She was discussing funeral arrangements for her daughter before suffering the stroke, TMZ reported

The 84-year-old was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital this morning, where she later died, her son Todd Fisher confirmed.

"She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken," he said.

Reynolds, who was a leading lady in Hollywood musicals and comedies in the 1950s and 1960s, had been at her son's home in Beverly Hills, California, discussing funeral arrangements for Fisher, TMZ reported earlier.

Someone in the house called 911 shortly after 1:00pm local time.

Fisher said the stress of his sister's death on Tuesday "was too much" for Reynolds.

"She said, 'I want to be with Carrie'. And then she was gone," he said.

Carrie Fisher, who was 60, had been hospitalised since Friday when she had heart problems on board a flight to Los Angeles before passing away on Wednesday.

After the news of Reynolds' death, numerous people took to social media and wrote that "she died of a broken heart".

Reynolds in frail health over the past year

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Debbie Reynolds dies at 84 (ABC News)

One of the most enduring and endearing Hollywood stars of her time, Reynolds received a best actress Academy Award nomination for the 1964 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Reynolds had been in frail health in the past year, and she missed a dinner in November 2015 to receive an honorary Oscar.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said at the time that she was unable to attend because of "an unexpectedly long recovery from recent surgery".

The nature of her illness was not disclosed.

Fisher told reporters in May 2016 her mother was "doing really well" but she did not give details.

Mary Frances Reynolds was born on April 1, 1932. She was 16 and in the Miss Burbank beauty contest when she was discovered by a talent scout.

Warner Brothers changed her name to "Debbie" and she had a bit part that year in June Bride.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Film critic Giles Hardie on Debbie Reynolds (ABC News)

It was 1952's Singin' in the Rain, however, that catapulted Reynolds to stardom, playing opposite Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor and recording the original soundtrack album for the film.

Her fame grew with leading roles in Susan Slept Here with Dick Powell, The Tender Trap with Frank Sinatra, The Catered Affair with Bette Davis, Bundle of Joy with then-husband Fisher, The Mating Game with Tony Randall, It Started with A Kiss with Glenn Ford, and The Pleasure of His Company with Astaire.

At the peak of her stardom, Reynolds was drawn into a scandal when her husband, singer Eddie Fisher, began an affair with actress Elizabeth Taylor. Reynolds and Fisher divorced in 1959 and he married Taylor.

Reynolds and Taylor, who eventually divorced Fisher, made peace years later and appeared together in the 2001 television movie These Old Broads, written by Carrie Fisher.



Reuters

Topics: film-movies, actor, united-states

First posted