Actress-writer Carrie Fisher was scheduled to speak in Rancho Mirage Wednesday night.
Fisher appeared as part of the city's 2013 Speakers Series. She is filling in for her mother, Debbie Reynolds, who was originally scheduled to speak and had to cancel for unspecified reasons, city spokeswoman Joni Almy said.
Fisher's talk was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower Medical Center, 39000 Bob Hope Drive.
She was expected to speak about her experiences in the film industry since her 1975 movie debut opposite Warren Beatty in "Shampoo," which include playing Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy.
Fisher's other film credits include "The Blues Brothers," "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," "Hannah and Her Sisters," "The Man with One Red Shoe" and "When Harry Met Sally."
In 1987, Fisher's book "Postcards from the Edge" made the New York Times bestseller list and was later turned into a screenplay for the film starring Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep. Fisher has since penned four more bestsellers -- "Delusions of Grandma," "Surrender the Pink," "The Best Awful" and "Wishful Drinking."
Fisher parlayed "Wishful Thinking" into a one-woman stage show of the same name. She has spoken publicly about her experiences with addiction and bipolar disorder, including advocating for more funding for medication for people living with mental health issues.
Tickets cost $60 for preferred seating and $45 for general seating. Admittance to after-parties with each speaker is available for an additional fee.
Tickets are sold at www.ranchomirageca.gov. The speakers series hotline is (760) 770-3205.
— City News Service.
