In a beautiful public memorial service on Saturday, over 1,200 family members, friends and fans of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher paid tribute to the iconic mother-daughter duo nearly three months after their deaths.
Hosted by Reynoldsâ son and Fisherâs brother, Todd Fisher, the event â or show, according to Todd, since âmy mother didnât like memorials and funeralsâ â was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Attendees included actors Griffin Dunne, Ruta Lee and Dan Aykroyd, who told a sweet story about his former fiancĂ©e Carrie, calling her a âbeloved showboat.â
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 90-minute ceremony also featured montages, set to music by âStar Warsâ composer John Williams, highlighting Reynoldsâ and Fisherâs careers, intimate family photos, interviews and humanitarian work.
There was even a memorable âbeepyâ appearance by R2-D2 and performances by the Gay Menâs Chorus of Los Angeles and tap dancers from Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios. And, although he wasnât present, âIâm Here to Let You Go,â an original song by Fisherâs close friend James Blunt, made its debut during a photo montage.
Fisher died on Dec. 27 at the age of 60 following a heart attack. The next day, her beloved mother Reynolds died at 84.
âWhen Carrie died, my mother decided to change her plans a bit,â Todd told the audience at the memorial. âMy mother always said to me, âI never want to go to my daughterâs funeral service. I would like to be buried with Carrie.â I didnât know she was going to leave us that very next day and when she looked at me to ask permission to leave, she said she wanted to be with Carrie, and she closed her eyes and went to sleep. It was a beautiful exit.â
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