Carrie Fisher strikes back at critic who told her to quit or be judged on her looks

Star Wars actor Carrie Fisher has returned fire after a New York Post critic told her to quit acting if she did not want to be judged on her looks.

In a much-criticised column, Kyle Smith said on Wednesday that Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, was a public figure who had “made millions off being pretty”. Responding to her comments earlier this week on Twitter, in which the actor and writer hit out at social media trolls who have criticised her appearance in the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, Smith said the 59-year-old “could have spent the last 40 years teaching kindergarten” if she did not want people talking about her.

Fisher swiftly retaliated, tweeting: “OK, I quit acting,” NOW, can I not like being judged for my looks? Tell me what to do and who to be, oh wise New York post columnist. You GENIUS.”

The actor also addressed Smith’s suggestion that her writing career – Fisher is known for the semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge, her screenplay for the critically acclaimed film of the same name and the nonfiction book Wishful Drinking – would not have taken off without Star Wars.

“Mr Smith doubts I’d have any success as a writer without Star Wars,” she tweeted. “Peddling doubt about my looks and comments wasn’t enough, now he goes for my writing.”