Despite the fluctuations of fame and life’s various challenges, Debbie Reynolds endured as a true movie legend. Just being cast (as a teenager) in the classic musical Singin’ in the Rain (1952) secured her onscreen legacy. Known for her boundless energy and pert personality, Debbie became America’s sweetheart with plucky performances in The Tender Trap (1955), Tammy and the Bachelor (1957), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) and The Singing Nun (1966). She may have tried to shed her wholesome image by shedding her clothes in Divorce American Style (1967) and How Sweet It Is! (1968), which features Deb in sexy swimwear and a slinky evening dress. Still, the box-office babe remained untouched. And when her real life hubby Eddie Fisher left her for seductress Elizabeth Taylor, the world was on Team Debbie’s side. Another failed marriage followed, but Debbie kept going—creating her own business ventures in Las Vegas and writing two autobiographies. She also continued performing on stage and on TV. In addition to starring in the sitcoms The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969-1970) and Aloha Paradise (1981), Ms. Reynolds lent her voice to Rugrats (2000-2002). She also played the moms on the hit shows Will & Grace (1999-2006) and Roseanne (1997) as well as in the Albert Brooks film Mother (1996), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Offscreen, Deb was mother to Todd and Carrie (Princess Leia) Fisher. When Carrie passed away in 2016, Debbie died of a stroke the following day. The world lost two superstars at once.
