Debbie Reynolds, from her debut to her tragic end, was a star.
So often when a star passes, those grieving their loss are forced to contend with the Facebook and Twitter posts that go up about how “trivial” it is to mourn an actor/singer/in 2016’s case, legends’ deaths, when there are bad things going on in the world every day and we don’t all collectively stop and take notice.
There are two crucial errors with those folks.
- They need to hop down off their high horses and stop dictating what is and isn’t the right way to grieve.
- We mourn so vocally and collectively over the loss of an entertainer because they touched all of us.
That is one of the many reasons why Reynolds’ loss is being felt so poignantly. Not only is there the inherent tragedy of it following so closely to her daughter’s (the sudden and depressing loss of Carrie Fisher), but also because her longevity in the business spans decades of work. My grandmother would’ve been introduced to her in her Singin’ In the Rain and Unsinkable Molly Brown days. My mother recognized her through her days as Tammy while I, a true 90’s kid, will always remember her fondly as the grandmother in Halloweentown who quite delightfully found ordinary boring.
There’s a wealth of artistic quality at audiences’ disposal when it comes to her filmography, from the start in smaller pictures to the end in the supporting roles on popular television series. Her enigmatic joy, her infectious grin and her candor has placed her among the Hollywood greats, able to hold her ground and shine brighter than the titans that tried as they might to loom over her. She was a force of nature with a twinkle in her eye, and her presence is one to miss. – Allyson Johnson
Click next for some of her most memorable roles.
How the West Was Won
Singing “A Home in the Meadow,” Debbie Reynolds is completely bewitching as a dance hall performer in this classic Western. In what Reynolds would call “a bigger than life” experience, she holds her own in this epic and undoubtedly delivers one of the most memorable scenes. – Gabrielle Bondi
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
I remember being one of the few who understood who the “Unsinkable Molly Brown” was in James Cameron’s Titanic, thanks to watching this movie one day with my grandma. Playing a fictional take on one of the survivors of the Titanic in this lively musical, Reynolds spirited performance here is one of her best. Just watch the video above and see how Reynolds perfectly infuses acting and dancing. – Gabrielle Bondi
Charlotte’s Web
Debbie Reynolds had quite a bit of notable voice work in her career. She voiced the grandmother in Rugrats, but nothing quite compares to her wistful performance in Charlotte’s Web. There’s one line that always got to me, “How very special are we/for just a moment to be/part of life’s eternal rhyme.” How special are we to have been graced with Debbie Reynolds’ talents. – Gabrielle Bondi
Halloweentown
A perennial classic for our generation, the Halloweentown films take a special place in our hearts thanks to Debbie Reynolds. “I always said the movies can teach us about life,” Reynolds’ Aggie Cromwell tells her granddaughter in this clip from the Disney Channel Original Movie. How true that is when it comes to Reynolds’ films in particular. – Gabrielle Bondi
The Tender Trap
Reynolds is Sinatra’s match in The Tender Trap, a romantic comedy that once again showcased how graceful and skilled of a performer Debbie Reynolds is. Not many oozed femininity and strength like her. – Gabrielle Bondi
Will & Grace
Growing up with a theatrical-type as a mother, I could always relate to Grace when her mom came to the city to visit. Debbie Reynolds is fantastic as the meddlesome and lively mother, a perfect casting choice. – Gabrielle Bondi
Singin’ in the Rain
Last but certainly not least, Debbie Reynolds breakout moment was Singin’ in the Rain. Alongside Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor, Reynolds is oh so brilliant and wonderful in the role that made her famous. It’s old-fashioned movie musical joy with much thanks to this particular shining star. – Gabrielle Bondi
Debbie Reynolds 1932 – 2016
