TRIBUTE/RIP: DEBBIE REYNOLDS, R.I.P.

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DEBBIE REYNOLDS, R.I.P.

Artist Ricky LaChance's wonderful rendition of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

Artist Ricky LaChance’s wonderful rendition of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

I still can’t believe it. Debbie Reynolds left this level of life just the day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, did. I’ve always known that it’s very possible to die of a broken heart, but have rarely seen that theory played-out. I wish I still hadn’t. I feel awful for their family.

[Note: In case you were wondering why I have not written a tribute to Carrie Fisher, it’s not that I’m ignoring her passing. It’s because I write tributes to only people I’ve had at least one personal encounter with, so I can share my remembrances of them, and, sadly, (because I think we might have had a lot in common, outside of bad habits,) that was not my case with Carrie.]

Debbie Reynolds, performing her two-person show with Donald O'Connor.

Debbie Reynolds, performing her two-person show with Donald O’Connor.

I met Debbie Reynolds only once, after a performance she gave with Donald O’Connor, and it was indeed memorable. The show was at Universal, and the party was at a near-by restaurant. There were so many guests there, all clamoring for Debbie’s attention. All of a sudden, she walked right up to me, and told me that she loved my rhinestone bowtie!!! She said she had to get one just like it. Yes, kids, Debbie Reynolds complimented me on, and wanted to replicate, my fashion sense! I still can’t believe it. She was fabulous, and as sweet as can be. I had no pre-conceived of notions of her going into that night, (except of her talent, of course, and she even surpassed my thoughts on that!,) but I was still surprised at just how down to earth she was. Lovely lady.

I also saw her in a revival of the hectic musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown in Los Angeles, playing the title character…when she was fifty-seven!!! The first few scenes are of Molly as a teen-ager! What energy she displayed! She pulled the performance off, adorably, I might add, and she made it even more special by adding some joke-y asides about that she was doing all that work at her age.

Debbie Reynolds dress from Singin' In The Rain.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

Debbie Reynolds dress from Singin’ In The Rain. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

Many of you may not know this, but Debbie tried to save tons of Hollywood memorabilia, until she finally had to auction it off in 2011. I was one of the privileged Angelenos who got to see her collection when it was on display at the Paley Museum in Beverly Hills. I could see why Debbie was so proud of it; what an amazing thing to have done for posterity, to have collected it all, to save the items from being lost forever. I just hope that the new owners have been appreciating the history that is now in their possession.

The Hollywood Museum's lobby tribute to Debbie Reynolds.

The Hollywood Museum’s lobby tribute to Debbie Reynolds.

A side note is that Debbie’s only son, Todd Fisher, produced one of the very first movies I ever did, Twogether, starring Nick Cassevetes. So, I met him, too, back in the day. And I have one tiny bit of advice for him, and for Carrie’s young daughter, as well. I know that this all is way too hard for them to process and believe right now, but, since I also lost my mother on the holiday, (on actual Christmas Day, while I was making the dinner, no less,) and am now five years out from that life-altering event, I, unfortunately know firsthand how this goes. I hope that they’ll be able to read my recent essay on how to take baby steps back to happiness, and that it will help them somewhat, down the line. Here’s the link, in case you need it, as well (which I’m hoping that you don’t): itsnotaboutme.tv/news/karens-musingshealth-baby-stepping-back-to-the-holidays.

My heart goes out to the whole Reynolds-Fisher family.

RIP, Debbie Reynolds. (And Carrie Fisher, too, of course.)

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1 Comment

  1. Lovely tribute, Karen. I’m just sorry it had to be written. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is one of my favorite movies. How wonderful that you met both Debbie Reynolds AND Donald O’Connor. My prayers go out to Todd Fisher and Billie Lourd and also Joely Fisher and Tricia Fisher, Carrie’s half-sisters. Is it true that Todd is a minister?

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