Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds, who sang and danced her way into the hearts of millions of moviegoers around the world in musicals like Singin' in the Rain, died on Wednesday at age 84, Variety reported.
Reynolds died hours after being rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke, according to media reports. News of her death came a day after her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher, died of a heart attack.
Reynolds has worked with a number of actors, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Donald O’Connor, Fred Astaire and Dick Van Dyke. She received a best actress Academy Award nomination for the 1964 musical “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”
She is survived by her son, Todd Fisher, an actor and producer.
“It’s true, she’s with Carrie now. She left very shortly after that and those were the last words she spoke”Todd Fisher, Debbie Reynolds’ son
Social media users paid tribute to the legendary actress. “She died of a broken heart,” one user said.
In a 2010 interview with Rage Monthly, Reynolds reflected on her philosophy of life.
I always go by a five-year plan. I get through today and I’m not going to get upset for five years. I always picture a long tunnel and at the end of the tunnel, there’s a light. I know I can make it to that light and I’ll take five years to get there. Now I’ve gone through many tunnels.
Debbie Reynolds was born Mary Frances Reynolds on 1 April, 1932. She was discovered by a talent scout at the age of 16, while participating in the Miss Burbank beauty contest. After adopting the stage name Debbie, she made her debut with June Bride (1948).
She was signed by MGM in 1950. Later that year, she performed the hit duet Aba Daba Honeymoon with Carleton Carpenter for Two Weeks with Love. She also made her feature acting debut in 1950 in The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady.
She became a household name in 1952, after she worked in ‘Singing in the Rain’ opposite Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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