Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher were one of the most famous mother-daughter duos in Hollywood history. Their tragic deaths in 2016, just one day apart, shocked and saddened fans around the world. But did you know that they also had another family member who is a successful actress and singer? Her name is Joely Fisher, and she is Carrie Fisher’s half-sister and Debbie Reynolds’ stepdaughter. Here is everything you need to know about Joely Fisher and her relationship with Debbie Reynolds.
Who is Joely Fisher?
Joely Fisher is an American actress and singer, who was born on October 29, 1967, in Burbank, California. She is the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Connie Stevens, both entertainers. She has a younger sister, Tricia Leigh Fisher, who is also an actress and singer. She also had two older half-siblings, Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher, from her father’s marriage to Debbie Reynolds.
Joely Fisher started her acting career in 1987, with a role in the comedy film Pretty Smart, which starred her sister Tricia. She then appeared in various TV shows, such as Growing Pains, Blossom, Caroline in the City, The Golden Palace, The Outer Limits, Grace Under Fire and Coach. Her breakthrough came in 1994, when she was cast as Paige Clark on the sitcom Ellen, for which she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She also sang the theme song for the show.
Joely Fisher later starred in the 1999 comedy film Inspector Gadget, opposite Matthew Broderick, and had leading roles in the Lifetime comedy-drama Wild Card (2003-2005), and the Fox sitcom ‘Til Death (2006-2010), alongside Brad Garrett. She also appeared in several Broadway and off-Broadway musicals, such as Cabaret, Grease and The Rocky Horror Show. She has also written a memoir, Growing Up Fisher: Musings, Memories, and Misadventures, which was published in 2017.
Joely Fisher is married to cinematographer Christopher Duddy since 1996. They have three children together: Skylar Grace (born 2001), True Harlow (born 2006) and Olivia Luna (adopted in 2008). She also has two stepsons from Duddy’s previous marriage: Cameron (born 1986) and Collin (born 1989).
Joely Fisher is related to Debbie Reynolds through her father Eddie Fisher. Eddie Fisher was married to Debbie Reynolds from 1955 to 1959. They had two children together: Carrie Fisher (born 1956) and Todd Fisher (born 1958). Eddie Fisher left Debbie Reynolds for her friend Elizabeth Taylor in 1959, after Taylor’s husband Mike Todd died in a plane crash. Eddie Fisher married Elizabeth Taylor in 1959, but they divorced in 1964.
Eddie Fisher then married Connie Stevens in 1967. They had two children together: Joely Fisher (born 1967) and Tricia Leigh Fisher (born 1968). Eddie Fisher divorced Connie Stevens in 1969. He later married Terry Richard in 1975, but they divorced in 1976. He then married Betty Lin in 1993, until her death in 2001. Eddie Fisher died in 2010 at the age of 82.
Joely Fisher grew up next door to Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher in Beverly Hills. She and her sister Tricia toured the world with their mother Connie Stevens, attending different schools and having tutors. Joely Fisher said that she always bonded with Carrie Fisher over their shared experience of having an absent father. She also said that she admired Debbie Reynolds for being a strong and loving mother to Carrie and Todd.
Joely Fisher was very close to Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds until their deaths. She said that she texted with Carrie Fisher before she boarded the plane where she went into cardiac arrest on December 23, 2016. She also said that she visited Debbie Reynolds at her home on December 28, 2016, the day she died of a stroke while planning Carrie’s funeral. Joely Fisher said that Debbie Reynolds told her that she wanted more time with her daughter.
Joely Fisher paid tribute to Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds on social media and in interviews after their deaths. She said that they were both amazing women who inspired her and many others with their talent, humor and courage. She also said that they were both part of her family and that she loved them very much.
Conclusion
Joely Fisher is related to Debbie Reynolds by being her stepdaughter and Carrie Fisher’s half-sister. She is also a successful actress and singer who has starred in many films and TV shows. She had a close and loving relationship with Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds until their deaths in 2016. She continues to honor their legacy and memory with her work and her family.
