Eyewitness News The Vault: Carrie Fisher Returns to Princess Leia in ‘Return of the Jedi’ Theatrically Released May 25, 1983

NEW YORK — Forty years ago, on May 25, 1983, the “Star Wars” classic “Return of the Jedi” hit theaters.

That day, Eyewitness News Entertainment reporter Joel Siegel spoke with actress Carrie Fisher about how the “Star Wars” movies, and the role of Princess Leia Organa, in particular, have come to be. a large part of his life.

“I’ve been doing them for seven years now, since I was 19, so I grew up with them. So it’s just, now, it’s like the completion of a story that I love. It’s, you know, you’re almost prejudiced with it, really, but it’s like family, you know, we’ve all been together for all seven years,” Fisher said.

Fisher went on to play Princess Leia in six films, rising from a princess to a general leading the forces of good in her fight against oppressive regimes aiming to control a galaxy far, far away.

She died in 2016 at age 60, leaving behind a legion of fans.

The movie ended the original “Star Wars” trilogy that inspired a rabid fandom and spawned countless movies and TV shows.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of Lucasfilm Ltd. and this ABC station.

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