In 1976, Carrie Fisher, a 19-year-old actress who had only appeared in one movie, left an audition for an unknown sci-fi film. She didn't think she got the part, believing that it had gone to a young Jodi Foster. "I thought well, I'm not going to get to have lunch with monsters," Fisher later recalled.

She was wrong: of course, Fisher had thoroughly impressed George Lucas with her audition.

Fisher died on Tuesday, after a life of brilliant writing and acting, best known for her iconic portrayal of Princess Leia in Star Wars.

Looking back at her original audition tape, it's obvious why she was the woman destined to become one of the most beloved characters in film history, with her warmth, confidence, urgency, and, most importantly, that wry sense of humor.

As Fisher later revealed, her casting wasn't without controversy when the filmmakers asked her to lose 35 pounds.

"They don't want to hire all of me—only about three-quarters!" Fisher said in an interview last year. "Nothing changes, it's an appearance-driven thing. I'm in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance. That is so messed up. They might as well say get younger, because that's how easy it is."

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[h/t: Mashable

Matt Miller Culture Editor Matt is the Culture Editor at Esquire where he covers music, movies, books, and TV—with an emphasis on all things Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones.

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