Carrie Fisher: Playboy, Golden Slave Bikinis and Bipolarism

Carrie Fisher, who was obviously best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, never posed nude for Playboy magazine. 

Despite this, in the July 1983 issue of Playboy, Fisher appeared in a non-nude pictorial photographed by Ken Marcus. The photos were taken as part of the promotion for "Return of the Jedi," in which she reprised her role as Princess Leia.

In the pictorial, Fisher appeared in a black bodysuit, revealing some cleavage but not showing any nudity. The photos were accompanied by an interview with Fisher, in which she discussed her experience filming the Star Wars movies, her family background, and her struggles with substance abuse and mental illness.

Fisher was quoted in the Playboy interview as saying, 

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

 She also spoke candidly about her battles with drug addiction and bipolar disorder, stating, 

"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."

The cover model for Playboy's July 1983 issue was Ruth Guerri, who was also featured as the Playmate of the Month in that edition.

Thus while Carrie Fisher did appear in Playboy magazine, it was not in a salacious or nude context.

The focus was on her career and personal struggles with 'drugs and men', rather than her physical appearance. 

Let's discuss that bikini she wore in Return of Jedi:

Carrie Fisher's appearance in a slave bikini in "Return of the Jedi" has become an iconic look and a defining moment in pop culture history. 

The bikini, officially called "Leia's Metal Bikini," is a costume worn by Fisher's character, Princess Leia, during her captivity by the gangster Jabba the Hutt (Jabba sleeps with the fishes).

The design of costume was created by costume designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers, who drew inspiration from a variety of sources. One of the primary influences was reportedly the character of Dejah Thoris, the Princess of Mars, from the John Carter of Mars novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 

The novels were a major influence on George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, and the similarities between Leia's costume and Dejah Thoris' outfit are striking.

Despite the controversy surrounding the bikini, it has become an enduring symbol of female empowerment and defiance. 

Fisher herself had mixed feelings about the costume and the attention it received, but she ultimately embraced it as a part of her legacy. 

In her memoir "The Princess Diarist," she wrote about her experiences filming "Return of the Jedi" and her thoughts on the costume, saying, "I got into the [bikini] outfit and then refused to leave my dressing room until everyone else was gone, except for George [Lucas], because I knew he'd be the most understanding."

Fisher's portrayal of Princess Leia, including her appearance in the slave bikini, has inspired countless cosplayers, artists, and fans over the years. The costume has become an iconic symbol of the Star Wars franchise and of Fisher's enduring legacy as a beloved actress and cultural icon.

It even appeared in an episode of the Friends television show in which Ross's mother wore it...

Carrie Fisher did wear a PlayBoy Bunny Cocktail Waitress costume in her Laverne and Shirley appearance:

Did Carrie Fisher ever appear nude in film?

Yes, Carrie Fisher did appear nude in a film. In the 1981 film "The Blue Lagoon," Fisher's daughter Billie Lourd confirmed that her mother played a small role as a nude islander. Fisher's character is seen briefly in the background of a scene, swimming in the ocean with other nude islanders.

Media quotes about Star Wars

Carrie Fisher was a witty and outspoken personality who made many memorable statements about Star Wars over the years. 

Here are some popular quotes that Fisher made to the media about the franchise:

• "I'm a female and I like to play male roles, and that's okay because I'm a female playing a male role as a female." - Fisher discussing her role as Princess Leia and the importance of gender representation in Hollywood.
• "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." - Fisher joking about her costume in Star Wars.
• "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." - Fisher discussing Princess Leia's famous hairstyle and the attention it received from fans.
• "You can't find any true closeness in Hollywood, because everybody does the fake closeness so well." - Fisher discussing the challenges of fame and the Hollywood industry.
• "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." - Fisher discussing the pressure to conform to Hollywood beauty standards."

Here's some Ming-Na Wen (Fenix Shand) from The Mandalorian doing  Leia Cosplay:

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