Carrie Fisher, iconic Star Wars actress and author dies, age 60.

Actress Carrie Fisher, most famous for her role in Star Wars, has died, her publicist confirmed.

“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” a statement from family spokesman Simon Halls published in People Magazine said.

“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly.”

She was 60 years old.

Fisher was rushed to hospital on December 23 after suffering a “cardiac episode” on a flight from London to Los Angeles.

The LA Times reported the actress was taken to UCLA Medical Centre after the 11-hour flight, during which she was reportedly “in a lot of distress”.

Celebrities close to Fisher, including her famous mother Debbie Reynolds, 84, have since reacted on social media.

"Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter," Reynolds wrote.

"I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carries Mother."

Fisher first appeared on screen beside Warren Beatty in the 1975 hit Shampoo. She also appeared in Austin Powers, The Blues Brothers, Charlie's Angels, Hannah and Her Sisters, Scream 3 and When Harry Met Sally.

The iconic actress is however best remembered for her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars in 1977 along with her braided buns, who uttered the immortal phrase, "Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope".

Her role was powerful and tough.

She reprised the role in Episode VII of the series, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in 2015, and her digitally rendered image appears in 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.