Story highlights
Reynolds was a singer, dancer and actress who started her career as a teenager
Her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher, died Tuesday after suffering cardiac arrest
(CNN) —
Two days. Two deaths of iconic Hollywood actresses who were also mother and daughter.
Debbie Reynolds died Wednesday at 84, one day after daughter Carrie Fisher’s death.
It’s unclear why Reynolds died – she had complained of breathing problems, an unnamed sourced told the Los Angeles Times – but she was reeling emotionally from losing her daughter, who was 60.
“She spoke to me this morning and said she missed Carrie,” said Reynolds’ son Todd Fisher. “She’s with Carrie now. Reynolds’ long career in entertainment
In late November in an interview on WHYY’s “Fresh Air,” host Terry Gross spoke with Fisher about her mother.
Though famous, the two went through the same evolution that many moms and daughters experience – it can be feisty during the teenage years, and maybe into a daughter’s early 20s, but as the child ages, she begins to appreciate the wisdom, power and experience of the woman who, despite obstacles, raised her, lived as an example to her, loved her without condition.
“I could appreciate – she’s an immensely powerful woman. And I just admire my mother very much. She also annoys me sometimes when she’s, you know, mad at the nurses,” Fisher said, referring to a time years ago when Reynolds was ill. “But, you know, she’s an extraordinary woman, extraordinary.
“There are very few women from her generation who worked like that, who just kept a career going all her life and raised children and had horrible relationships and lost all her money and got it back again. I mean, she’s had an amazing life, and she’s someone to admire.”
Gross asked if Fisher admired her mother’s strength and accomplishments as Fisher got older.
“Oh, God, yeah. No, when I was a kid, I just thought she was someone who was telling me what to do. And I didn’t want to do it.”
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Richard Drew/AP
Actress Debbie Reynolds poses for a portrait in New York on October 14, 2011.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Bettmann/Getty Images
Reynolds was a proud member of the Girl Scouts. At the time of this photo, at age 17, she had earned 42 out of a possible 100 badges in eight years of scouting.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
John Springer Collection/Corbis/Getty Images
Reynolds starred with Gene Kelly in 1952's "Singin' in the Rain." When the movie started production, Reynolds didn't know how to dance and was taught by Kelly, also the choreographer of the film.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
MGM/Getty Images
Debbie Reynolds and Gower Champion dancing in a scene from the 1953 film "Give A Girl A Break."
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
George Rinhart/Corbis/Getty Images
Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher were married in 1955 and divorced in 1959. The couple had two children: Carrie, born in 1956, and Todd, born in 1958.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Bettmann/Getty Images
Reynolds and Fisher co-starred in "Bundle of Joy," RKO's 1956 Technicolor comedy.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
A family portrait of Fisher, Reynolds and daughter Carrie, circa 1957.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Bettmann/Getty Images
A family portrait with Debbie holding Todd and father Eddie holding Carrie.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Fisher with Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor in Las Vegas in 1958. The next year Fisher left Reynolds and married Taylor.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Bettmann/Getty Images
Reynolds holds her two children, Carrie and Todd, right, during the shooting of 1959's "The Mating Game."
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Reynolds and Harry Karl attend an event in Los Angeles in 1962.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
MGM/Getty Images
Hermione Baddeley points her finger at Reynolds as Harve Presnell and Ed Begley watch during a scene from the 1964 film "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." Reynolds was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for the role.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Dove/Evening Standard/Getty Images
Reynolds with her daughter Carrie Fisher in 1972.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
Bettmann/Getty Images
Reynolds makes her first appearance on Broadway in 1973, opening in a remake of the 1919 musical "Irene." Carrie Fisher, seated on floor, also appeared in the musical at age 16.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds
PHOTO:
ABC/Getty Images
Reynolds appears in an episode of "The Love Boat" with Gavin MacLeod in 1980.
Photos: Life and career of Debbie Reynolds