Debbie Reynolds, the American actress and singer who rose to fame with her 1952 role in Singin’ in the Rain, died Wednesday at 84. Reynolds died one day after her daughter, the actress and writer Carrie Fisher, who suffered a heart attack at 60. Reynolds’ son Todd Fisher, Carrie Fisher’s brother, reportedly told a Los Angeles news station that the stress of losing her daughter caused Reynolds to suffer a fatal stroke.
Reynolds began her career as a teenager, landing a contract with Warner Bros. after winning a local beauty contest in her hometown of Burbank, Calif. She would go on to receive nominations for several Golden Globes and Emmys, as well as an Oscar nomination for her starring turn in The Unsinkable Molly Brown in 1964. After surviving one of Hollywood’s most notorious love triangles (husband Eddie Fisher divorced her to marry her best friend, Elizabeth Taylor), Reynolds would work into her 80s, finding time to dedicate to philanthropy and amassing a large collection of film memorabilia.
Once described by LIFE magazine as “bouncy as a kitten on a living room rug,” Reynolds is remembered as an American sweetheart, a wellspring of good-natured talent and, always, as Princess Leia’s mother.
![Singin' In The Rain Singin' In The Rain](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-obituary-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Debbie Reynolds Debbie Reynolds](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-fisher-troops-obituary-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Fisher Family Fisher Family](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-eddie-fisher-carrie-fisher-obituary-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debby-reynolds-obituary-carrie-fisher-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Debbie Reynolds In 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' Debbie Reynolds In 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown'](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-molly-brown-obituary-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Carrie Fisher died Carrie Fisher died](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-obituary-06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Reynolds & Children Reynolds & Children](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-todd-07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher sighitng at the Town Hall, New York City for the School Benefit at Town Hall - November 6, 197 Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher sighitng at the Town Hall, New York City for the School Benefit at Town Hall - November 6, 197](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-fisher-carrie-fisher-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![11th Annual American Comedy Awards 11th Annual American Comedy Awards](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-09.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Debbie Reynolds Debbie Reynolds](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-walk-of-fame-10.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
!["The Unsinkable Molly Brown" - New York Premiere "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" - New York Premiere](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-11.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The Paley Center For Media & TCM Present Debbie Reynolds' Hollywood Memorabilia Exhibit Reception The Paley Center For Media & TCM Present Debbie Reynolds' Hollywood Memorabilia Exhibit Reception](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-billie-12jpg.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Press Room 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Press Room](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/debbie-reynolds-carrie-fisher-13.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- ‘We’re Living in a Nightmare:’ Inside the Health Crisis of a Texas Bitcoin Town
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com