The Tony Awards took place in New York over the weekend, and it was left to Mark Hamill to introduce the In Memoriam segment of the show.
The awards celebrate the best of the past year’s theatre works, and Hamill was the perfect person to talk about one of Broadway’s biggest losses in the last twelve months, Carrie Fisher.
“This past year, we lost many beloved members of our theatrical family. Legends of the stage, artists from behind the scenes, princes of show business, and a princess,” said Hamill, as he raises a hand to his chest to fully embrace his emotions in the moment.
“They inspired a generation of theatre lovers projecting strength, resilience, and integrity.”
Talking to Hollywood Reporter before the event, Hamill said “I’m the host of the buzzkill segment of the evening, the In Memoriam segment, so there’s no room for a Trump joke or witty remarks.”
“Usually her timing was exquisite, but among the reasons it’s terrible that she won’t be with us is that she was the pivotal character [in that film]. And I also look at it selfishly: She was just hilarious. Sometimes I wouldn’t want to go out and do certain things to promote [The Force Awakens], but then I’d find out Carrie would be there, and I’d say OK, because then I knew it would be fun.”
“Mentally we should picture her looking down from the stars and extending her middle finger to us.”
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