Broadway star Debbie Reynolds dies aged 84
The Hollywood icon and Broadway star Debbie Reynolds has died at the age of 84 following a stroke at her home. The news came a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher who is best known as Star Wars' Princess Leia, died after suffering a heart attack at age 60.
Reynolds was perhaps best known for her role in the MGM film adaptation of Singin' in the Rain in which she played Kathy Seldon at the age of just 19.
Other notable film roles include 'The Affairs of Dobie Gillis' (1953), 'Susan Slept Here' (1954), 'Bundle of Joy' (1956 Golden Globe nomination), 'The Catered Affair' (1956 National Board of Review Best Supporting Actress Winner), and 'Tammy and the Bachelor' (1957).
One of her most famous musical films was the Meredith Wilson musical 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' (1964) which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
She made her Broadway debut in the musical Irene in 1973 which saw her nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She returned to Broadway with Debbie in 1976, Woman of the Year (1982) and starred in regional productions of Annie Get Your Gun and The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
Born on 1 April 1932 in El Paso, Texas, she later settled in Burbank California with her mother, father and older brother. At the age of just 16 she won the Miss Burbank beauty contest which led to a contract with Warner Brothers and early films such as 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady', 'Three Little Words' and 'Two Weeks with Love'.
Reynolds is survived by her son Todd Fisher and her granddaughter Billie Lourd.
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