Lost Princess - RIP Carrie Fisher

You've probably all heard by now that Carrie Fisher, our beloved Space Mom, passed away yesterday morning after suffering from a heart attack days earlier.

It seems 2016 needed to give us one more blow to the heart before ending and this was a terrible blow.

The World has lost some amazing people over the years, but for me, I've never lost someone who was an Idol before and I honestly don't know how to feel or what to say.

Princess Leia taught me how to be strong when I was a young girl. She taught me that I could stand up for myself and that I could be a self-rescuing princess. She taught me to never take any gruff from anyone and to love fiercely.

But it was when I got older and realized who Carrie Fisher was in real life that I truly began to idolize her. When I learned what she had gone through in her life and saw how she handled everything with grace and humor and crassness all at the same time, I truly fell in love. She's the kind of woman I want to be.

When I was feeling lost after my own diagnosis of a mental illness, it was Carrie Fisher and her writing that I turned to. Knowing that there was an advocate for mental illness out there and handling it so publicly, I was inspired.

I was one of the lucky ones who got to meet her. (BEST DAY EVER)

This is a great loss for the Star Wars community and the World at large. But may she continue to inspire girls, both young and old, both as Princess Leia and herself and may it be known far and wide that she drowned in moonlight, strangled by her own bra, just the way she wanted.

RIP Carrie Fisher

 You will be missed

Ralph McQuarrie RIP

Sad news hit the Star Wars Universe yesterday with the passing of Ralph McQuarrie.

1929-2012

Best known for his conceptual art for the original saga of Star Wars, McQuarrie was also noted for his design work on Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Back to the Future, and many other amazing films.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of such a visionary artist and such a humble man. Ralph McQuarrie was the first person I hired to help me envision Star Wars. His genial contribution, in the form of unequaled production paintings, propelled and inspired all of the cast and crew of the original Star Wars trilogy. When words could not convey my ideas, I could always point to one of Ralph's fabulous illustrations and say, 'Do it like this.'
"Beyond the movies, his artwork has inspired at least two generations of younger artists—all of whom learned through Ralph that movies are designed. Like me, they were thrilled by his keen eye and creative imagination, which always brought concepts to their most ideal plateau. In many ways, he was a generous father to a conceptual art revolution that was born of his artwork, and which seized the imaginations of thousands and propelled them into the film industry. In that way, we will all be benefiting from his oeuvre for generations to come. Beyond that, I will always remember him as a kind and patient, and wonderfully talented, friend and collaborator."
—George Lucas on StarWars.com

Let's take a look back at some of his amazing art and appreciate what Star Wars became because of his conceptual designs.

Yes, Star Wars wouldn't be the movie that we know and love without this amazing man. We own him Darth Vader and Stormtrooper armor and so many other amazing things. He will truly be missed.

Thanks to The Mary Sue, StarWars.com and Signalnoise for sahring in our sorrow and taking time to honor a wonderful man.

Leslie Nielsen and Irvin Kershner - R.I.P.

Today we mourn the passing of two great men, who through their art have affected many lives.

Leslie Nielson 1926-2010

Irvin Kershner 1923-2010

Leslie Nielsen, a Canadian-born actor who went from drama to inspired bumbling as a hapless doctor in "Airplane!" and the accident-prone detective Frank Drebin in the "The Naked Gun" comedies, died on Sunday in Florida. He was 84.
His agent, John S. Kelly, said Nielsen died at a hospital near his home in Ft. Lauderdale where he was being treated for pneumonia.

Nielsen's nephew Doug Nielsen, who lives in Richmond, B.C., said his uncle had been hospitalized for the past 12 days and died in his sleep with wife Barbaree by his side.

- Winnipeg Free Press (read the entire article here)

I grew up watching Leslie Nielsen's movies with my Dad. Often we would go to the local movie store and pick up The Naked Gun series, Police Squad, Airplane or Dracula Dead and Loving It, and spend the weekend laughing. To this day we still make jokes about these movies over the phone when we talk.

Last year, had the pleasure of sitting in on his meet and greet for the new movie, Stan Helsing that he was in. Watching him at the panel was amazing. He just sat there and joked the entire time. I didn't get to meet him after, which was a shame because I wanted him to sign the naked gun birthday card that I had made for my Dad. I also made a great shirt that said I <3 Frank Drebin on it.

I will miss his crazy antics and his deep, perfect voice. Rest in Peace Leslie.

Director Irvin Kershner, best known for helming The Empire Strikes Back, died today at his home in Los Angeles. He was 87 years old.

Kershner’s goddaughter Adriana Santini, who resides in France, told French news agency AFP that Kershner died after a long illness. No other details about his death were given.

- Geeks Of Doom (read the entire article here)

Irvin Kershner, who brought us not only James Bond's Never Say Never Again, Robocop 2, but best of all The Empire Strikes Back. Without him, Star Wars would never have been the same. He brought conflict and depth to our favorite heroes and brought us a sequel like no other has ever managed, making Empire one of the all time favorite Star Wars films. Had he been able to direct Jedi, Han would've died for the cause and Luke would've ridden off into the sunset in the end. There would've been no ewoks!

I truly believe that Irvin Kershner made Star Wars into what it is now for so many people. Rest in peace, Irvin.