Carrie Fisher: Playboy, Golden Slave Bikinis and Bipolarism

Let's clear the space dust: Carrie Fisher, the trailblazing actress best known for playing the indomitable Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, never posed nude for Playboy magazine. The legend, much like the Death Star plans, has been misinterpreted.

However, she did grace the pages of the July 1983 issue of Playboy. As part of the promotion for "Return of the Jedi", Fisher appeared in a non-nude pictorial by photographer Ken Marcus. Clad in a black bodysuit, the feature was less about seduction and more about the searing, candid wit that defined her. The photos were accompanied by an interview where Fisher, in her signature style, held nothing back.

She famously quipped about her lineage:

"I'm a product of Hollywood inbreeding. When two celebrities mate, something like me is the result."

She also spoke with fearless honesty about her struggles with addiction and mental health, a topic she would champion for the rest of her life:

"I'm fine, but I'm bipolar. I'm on seven medications, and I take medication three times a day. This constantly puts me in touch with the illness I have. I'm never quite allowed to be free of that for a day."

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For the record, the cover model for that issue was Ruth Guerri. Carrie's appearance was a masterclass in subverting expectations; the focus was squarely on her mind and her battles, not her body.

The Bikini That Launched a Thousand Fantasies

Carrie Fisher's appearance in the metal bikini in "Return of the Jedi" is one of pop culture's most defining moments. Officially dubbed "Leia's Metal Bikini," the costume was worn during her captivity by the slug-like gangster Jabba the Hutt.

Designed by Aggie Guerard Rodgers, its look was inspired by the pulp sci-fi heroines of yesteryear, particularly Dejah Thoris from the John Carter of Mars novels—a major influence on George Lucas.

Despite any controversy, the outfit became an enduring symbol of defiance. Leia wasn't just a captive; she was the one who turned her chains into a weapon and strangled her oppressor. Fisher herself had a famously complicated relationship with the costume, but ultimately embraced its legacy. In her memoir "The Princess Diarist," she wryly recalled her trepidation, showcasing her unique blend of vulnerability and strength.

The "slave Leia" look has inspired countless cosplayers and artists, becoming a powerful symbol of the franchise and Fisher's indelible mark on culture.

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On-Screen and Off-Beat

Yes, Carrie Fisher did appear nude in a film. In the 1981 movie "The Blue Lagoon," her daughter Billie Lourd confirmed she had a brief role as a nude islander. Separately, she also donned a Playboy Bunny costume for a guest spot on the TV show *Laverne and Shirley*.

The Wit of a Rebel Princess

Carrie Fisher was as sharp with her words as Leia was with a blaster. Here are some of her most memorable quotes about Star Wars:

On her costume: "George [Lucas] did not really want me to wear a bra in the movies. I think he was afraid that if they were there, they would just get in the way of the light sabers."
On Leia's iconic hairstyle: "They keep saying I should get my ears pierced. But I don't know, I think it's a little late in the game to start."
On fame: "You can't find any true closeness in Hollywood, because everybody does the fake closeness so well."
On being a sex symbol: "I'm not a sex symbol, I'm a sex clown. Beautiful people never know who to trust, and I'd like to say I'm not beautiful."