Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher: Photos of Their 15 Sweetest Mother-Daughter Moments

We only wish we had more time to see these two shine!

By Debbie Strong and Carissa Mosness Updated: November 27, 2023

Reynolds and Fisher in 1972 Dove/Evening Standard/Getty

The world has never been the same since the news that legendary Star Wars actresses Carrie Fisher and her mom and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) leading lady, Debbie Reynolds, died within a day of each other back in December of 2016. While Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher admittedly had a fraught relationship, it was also one filled with a deep love and appreciation for one another.

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“My mother really wants me to be an extension of her wishes, an extension of her, and to a great degree — far more sometimes than I ever would want to — I know what my mother feels and wants, and there’s a lot of it,” Fisher said in Bright Lights, HBO’s heartfelt and hilarious documentary on their unique relationship.

That loving, complicated and fascinating relationship inspired us to round up some of their most beautiful and rare photos over the years, dating all the way back to the 1950’s. From Carrie as a baby, to the night they hung out with three time Oscar winner Meryl Streep to the festive Halloween party they went to with Chevy Chase, these photos show the love these women had for each other.

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher in 15 photos

Pink and perfect

1956
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Reynolds with baby Carrie all dressed in pink, 1956.
The beginning of two legends

1956 Getty Images
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Another sweet photo from 1956, Reynolds holds baby daughter Carrie.
Fur and fun

1957 Getty Images
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The mother-daughter duo attended an L.A. event in 1957.
Cruising around Hollywood

1958 Getty Images
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Reynolds drove with Carrie, 23 months old, in 1958 to visit friends in Los Angeles.
Walking toward stardom

1958 Getty Images
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In 1958, the actress took a walk with her children Carrie and Todd in Los Angeles.
Getting educated

1958
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Reynolds posted this photo from 1958 — which shows her reading to a toddler-age daughter Carrie and baby son Todd Fisher — on Facebook.
A proud mom moment

1959 Getty Images
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A 3-year-old Carrie gave her mother a hug after her afternoon nap in 1959.
A family adventure

1960 Getty Images
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Reynolds, Carrie and Todd smile in a car in 1960.
In awe of her mother

1961
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After Reynolds' death, several stars posted this touching photo of a 6-year-old Carrie waiting in the wings, watching in awe as her mother performed on a Las Vegas stage.
A night out on the town

1973 Getty Images
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In 1973, Reynolds and her two teenage kids posed at the opening night party for the Broadway musical revival Irene, in which Reynolds starred, in New York City.
Nothing but smiles

1972 Getty Images
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Though both have described their mother-daughter relationship over the years as tumultuous, a 1972 photo shows them enjoying each other's company.
Happy Halloween

1980 Getty Images
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They posed with actor Chevy Chase at a Halloween party in 1980.
Holding hands

1970's
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Reynolds shared this photo on her Facebook page on Mother's Day 2014.
Living in the limelight

1980's Getty Images
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The mother-daughter duo attends a red carpet-event in the 1980s. We can't help but notice just how similar these two look!
Out with friends

1990 Getty Images
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Meryl Streep hugs Reynolds and Carrie at the 1990 premiere of Postcards from the Edge.