Actress and former Bermuda International Film Festival judge Carrie Fisher died yesterday at the age of 60.

Ms Fisher, who rose to stardom for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series, suffered a heart attack on an aeroplane last week.

In addition to her leading role in the Star Wars series, Ms Fisher appeared in hit films including The Blues Brothers and When Harry Met Sally.

She transitioned her success in film to writing, penning eight books and memoirs, one of which she later adapted into her one-woman show Wishful Drinking. In 2007, Ms Fisher joined friend and fellow actor Richard Dreyfuss at the Bermuda International Film Festival.

She also spoke at BIFF Talk Back, discussing her career and personal challenges.

She remarked that the island offered her an escape, telling attendees: “It doesn’t seem that you guys bother that much. Who cares about celebrities? You live in Bermuda.”

Bermudian filmmaker Lucinda Spurling, who also served as a judge at the 2007 festival, said yesterday: “My impression of Carrie Fisher when we were on the jury together was that, like many great actresses she seemed a contradiction, at once quiet or uncomfortable in small groups, but at the same time confident on a stage.

“We had a jury dinner and one of the film journalists put her on the spot asking her to do a monologue from Star Wars; without hesitation she stood up and regaled the dinner, but at our jury lunch she preferred to read a book.

“It was only later when I watched Wishful Drinking that I realised how hilariously irreverent and funny she was.

“That kind of fearless sense of humour is what I will miss from a world without Carrie Fisher.”

Meanwhile, Sheelagh Cooper said during the festival she hosted a party at her home, which Ms Fisher attended.

While she said she was not able to speak to the actress long, she left a positive impression.

“I only got to know her a little, but it was really fun having her here,” she said.

“She was very pleasant. It was lovely for her to come down here for the festival, and it was a real thrill to have her in my house.”