Carrie Fisher And Debbie Reynolds Are Honored With A Heartfelt Public Memorial

“She is an unbelievable person, my American mother in many ways”.

Hundreds of friends, Jada Pinkett Smith family members and fans paid tribute to Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Saturday in a laughter- and tear-filled tribute to the mother-daughter duo who died one day apart in late December. “Don’t think any of this is easy just because we’re up there (on stage)”, said Fisher.

“You pay tribute by showing all the great home movies, all the pictures that Carrie and Debbie and I filmed”, said Todd. I have film of that and it will be in the memorial.’ And when I was editing that, it ripped my heart out. “After all, we’re only seconds behind them”.

The Hall of Liberty holds about 1,200 people, and there will be overflow seating in the lobby and outside, where the memorial will be shown on large TV screens.

“The entire thing I’m calling a show, not a memorial. because my mother loved shows”, Mr Fisher said.

Inside, there was an area set up featuring costumes from Fisher and Reynolds’ most iconic roles.

“It’s to send a message of peace and serenity to the family”, Garcia explained.

“If I’d been with our beloved showboat I might have been able to save her again”, he added. During the emotional event, Todd Fisher elaborated on his mother’s final moments of life.

Reynolds’ longtime pal Ruta Lee also expanded on Reynolds’ humanitarian efforts towards helping veterans and those with mental health issues, especially her work in establishing The Thalians. The service included special performances and video tributes.

James Blunt was friends with Carrie Fisher and recorded part of his debut album in her bathroom.

Of Carrie Fisher one woman said: “She just means so much to “Star Wars” fans”.

The service was also livestreamed on Debbie’s website.

After the memorial, actress Joan Van Ark was visibly moved. Grace Farenbaugh from Burbank, California told PA: “I’m a huge fan of both of them”.

Debbie’s other child, Todd, and granddaughter Billie Lourd, 24, are still struggling to come to terms with the double deaths, with the 59-year-old producer admitting that, looking back, he now realises Debbie was setting her passing up during a conversation they had shortly before her death.

“I think Debbie would have liked that”, Todd noted.

The ceremony was attended by several stars, including Rene Russo, Beverly D’Angelo, “Dallas” actress Morgan Brittany, actor-director Fisher Stevens, “Brady Bunch” actress Susan Olsen and actor Griffin Dunne.