princess leia in arguably the most beloved movie franchise ever -- "star wars." princess on-screen, hollywood royalty off it with a sharp wit and sharper pen. born with mother -- >> i saw my father. >> reporter: fisher wove her experiences as showbiz kid who strugglealed with addiction into the best-selling comedic novel "postcards from the edge." >> writing different takes on obsession. i think of that as sort of the edge and thought of it in the car one day, driving back from palm springs with the music up loud. >> reporter: fisher turned her acclaimed book into a movie stars meryl streep as a recovering addict embroiled in comic often funny mother/daughter drama. >> remember my 17th birthday party when you lifted your skirt up in front of all of those -- >> i did not lift my skirt. it twirmed up!