If you are a fan of Hollywood celebrities, you might have wondered how Joely Fisher is related to Carrie Fisher, the iconic star of the Star Wars franchise. The answer is that they are half-sisters, connected by their father’s marriage to Debbie Reynolds. Here is a brief overview of their family history and their relationship.
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Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds: Carrie and Todd’s Parents
Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds were one of the most popular couples in the 1950s. They married in 1955 and had two children: Carrie Frances Fisher, born on October 21, 1956, and Todd Emmanuel Fisher, born on February 24, 1958. Eddie was a singer and actor, while Debbie was an actress and singer, best known for her role in Singin’ in the Rain.
Their marriage was not meant to last, however. In 1958, Eddie’s best friend, Mike Todd, died in a plane crash. Eddie comforted his widow, Elizabeth Taylor, who was also a famous actress and a friend of Debbie. Their comfort turned into an affair, and Eddie left Debbie for Elizabeth. They divorced in 1959.
Eddie Fisher and Connie Stevens: Joely and Tricia’s Parents
After his divorce from Elizabeth Taylor in 1964, Eddie Fisher married another actress, Connie Stevens, in 1967. They had two daughters: Joely Fisher, born on October 29, 1967, and Tricia Leigh Fisher, born on December 26, 1968. Joely and Tricia are also actresses and singers, following their parents’ footsteps. Joely is known for her roles in TV shows like Ellen, ‘Til Death, and Last Man Standing. Tricia has appeared in shows like 7th Heaven, The Mentalist, and Criminal Minds.
Eddie and Connie’s marriage was also short-lived. They divorced in 1969.
Betty Lin: The Woman Who Reunited the Fisher Siblings
Eddie Fisher married twice more after Connie Stevens. His fourth wife was Terry Richard, whom he married in 1975 and divorced in 1976. His fifth and final wife was Betty Lin, whom he married in 1993 and stayed with until her death in 2001.
Betty Lin was the one who brought the Fisher siblings closer together. According to Carrie Fisher’s memoir Shockaholic, Betty was “very much a family person” who encouraged Eddie to reconnect with his children. Carrie wrote that she began to see her father more regularly because of Betty, and so did Todd, Joely, and Tricia.
The Friendship Between Joely Fisher and Carrie Fisher
Joely Fisher and Carrie Fisher did not grow up together, but they became friends later in life. They shared a bond over their unconventional family background, their sense of humor, and their struggles with addiction and mental health.
They also worked together on a few occasions. In 2007, they both starred in a film called Cougar Club, directed by Joely’s husband Christopher Duddy. They also appeared together at the televised 61st Annual Academy Awards.
Joely Fisher has written a book about her life and family called Growing Up Fisher: Musings, Memories, and Misadventures. In it, she pays tribute to her half-sister Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016 at the age of 60. She writes that Carrie was “a force of nature” who taught her “how to be fearless” and “how to be authentic”.
Joely Fisher is one of the four siblings of Carrie Fisher. They are all part of a legendary Hollywood dynasty that spans generations and genres. Their relationship is a testament to the power of family ties that transcend bloodlines and boundaries.
