During the 2017 Tony Awards show on Sunday night, Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill introduced the In Memoriam ceremony and paid tribute to Leia actress Carrie Fisher.
On Sunday night, CBS broadcasted the annual Tony Awards show which recognizes exceptional performances from Broadway. Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, attended the Tonys and introduced the In Memoriam segment.
In Memoriam honors people associated with Broadway who recently passed away. The first picture in the In Memoriam slideshow was one of actress Carrie Fisher, who played Leia in the original and sequel trilogies. Hamill, a close friend of Fisher’s, also referred to the actress in his introductory speech as “a princess.”
Watch Hamill’s small personal tribute to Fisher and the In Memoriam segment of the 2017 Tony Awards below.
In his introduction, Hamill said:
"“This past year, we lost many beloved members of our theatrical family: legends of the stage, artists from behind the scenes, princes of show business and a princess. They inspired a generation of theater lovers, projecting strength, resilience and integrity. We’ll cherish their passion and their expertise that made Broadway what it is today…”"
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Many people may not realize that both Fisher and Hamill were stars of the stage as much as the big screen. In 2006, Fisher began performing the one-woman show she wrote called Wishful Drinking at various theaters. Hamill, meanwhile, starred in several Broadway productions following his stint as Luke Skywalker in the 1980s.
Fisher’s death still stings and will likely continue to hurt well into the next few years. First, we have to get through The Last Jedi, Fisher’s last Star Wars film, at the end of this year. Then, in 2019, we have to watch Episode IX and accept however Lucasfilm decided to address Leia’s absence in that film. Finally, every time we watch one of the original trilogy or sequel trilogy films, we are reminded of our great loss. Fisher is everywhere in Star Wars.
But then again, I wouldn’t have it any other way..