The Secret 'Carrison' Affair: 5 Shocking Revelations From Carrie Fisher's Diary On Harrison Ford

The enduring, decades-long silence surrounding the intense three-month affair between *Star Wars* co-stars Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford was finally shattered in 2016, just weeks before Fisher’s untimely passing. The bombshell revelation, detailed in her memoir, *The Princess Diarist*, pulled back the curtain on a deeply "confused" and "obsessive" period in the life of a 19-year-old Fisher, who was secretly involved with a married, 33-year-old Ford during the 1976 filming of the original space opera. As of December 13, 2025, the story remains one of Hollywood's most talked-about secrets, a real-life drama mirroring the on-screen chemistry of Princess Leia and Han Solo.

The affair, which Fisher famously dubbed "Carrison," has since been viewed not just as a scandalous footnote in cinematic history, but as a poignant reflection on the power dynamics and emotional vulnerability of a young woman navigating sudden fame. Ford, for his part, maintained a stoic silence for years, only offering brief, respectful comments on the subject, ensuring the focus remained on Fisher's powerful and candid account.

Biographies: Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford at the Time of the Affair

The stark difference in age and life experience between the two actors provides crucial context for the affair, which occurred while filming *Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope* at Elstree Studios near London.

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Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa)

• Born: October 21, 1956, in Burbank, California.
• Parents: Hollywood legends Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher.
• Age in 1976: 19 years old.
• Career Status: A relative newcomer, her first major film role was in *Shampoo* (1975). *Star Wars* was her career-defining breakthrough.
• Emotional State: As revealed in her journals, she was intensely insecure, seeking validation, and grappling with the pressure of her famous parentage.
• Key Entity: *The Princess Diarist* (2016), the memoir that revealed the affair.

Harrison Ford (Han Solo)

• Born: July 13, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois.
• Age in 1976: 33 years old.
• Marital Status: Married to his first wife, Mary Marquardt (1964–1979).
• Children: Two sons, Benjamin and Willard.
• Career Status: A struggling actor and professional carpenter who had gained attention for his role in George Lucas's *American Graffiti* (1973). *Star Wars* was his launchpad to superstardom.
• Key Entity: Mary Marquardt, his college sweetheart and wife during the affair.

The Three-Month Secret: How the 'Carrison' Romance Began and Ended

The affair began in 1976, early in the production schedule for the first *Star Wars* film. The setting was the secluded, often dreary filming environment of Elstree Studios in London, far from the actors' normal lives, which Fisher described as contributing to the intense bubble of their relationship.

1. The Catalyst: A Birthday Party for George Lucas

According to Fisher's account, the romance ignited after a boisterous birthday party for director George Lucas. Both actors were reportedly drunk when Ford offered to drive a heavily inebriated Fisher home. It was during this ride that the evening evolved, leading to their first night together. This moment marked the beginning of their three-month secret entanglement.

2. The Emotional Dynamic: An Obsessive Fantasy

Fisher's diary entries from the time reveal a young woman projecting a romantic fantasy onto her much older, married co-star. She wrote of being "obsessed" with Ford and fantasized about him leaving his wife, Mary Marquardt, for her. Fisher noted the relationship was confusing and fueled by her own deep-seated insecurities, often feeling like a temporary fling to Ford's established life. She admitted to feeling "really bad" about the affair later in life, particularly regarding the impact on Ford's family.

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3. The On-Set Tension and Chemistry

The secret romance undoubtedly fueled the palpable, electric chemistry between their characters, Princess Leia and Han Solo. While their characters bickered and flirted on screen, the actors were living a hidden life off-camera. This real-world tension translated into the iconic dynamic that defined the original trilogy, from *A New Hope* to *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*. The affair ended with the conclusion of filming, as the actors returned to their respective lives.

4. Harrison Ford's Stance and the 'Regretful' Silence

When Fisher discovered her old diaries and decided to publish the details in 2016, she gave Ford advance notice. His reaction was characteristically understated, reportedly joking about the revelation. However, after the book's release and Fisher's death in late 2016, Ford maintained a respectful silence, declining to elaborate on the affair in interviews. He stated that he had not read the book and did not feel comfortable discussing the revelation, a move widely interpreted as a protective gesture toward Fisher's memory and privacy.

5. The Long-Term Impact on Ford's Marriage

While the affair with Fisher ended in 1976, Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt divorced in 1979. Although the affair was not the sole or stated reason for the separation, it occurred during a period of upheaval in Ford's personal life as his career exploded into superstardom with the release of *Star Wars*. Ford has since expressed regret over his infidelities during his first marriage, and Marquardt was later diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, adding a layer of tragedy to the aftermath of that period in his life.

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The Legacy of 'Carrison' in Hollywood History

The story of the Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford affair is more than just celebrity gossip; it’s a case study in the complex realities of on-set relationships, age gaps, and the pressures of fame. Fisher’s decision to publish her diaries, a final act of unflinching honesty, solidified her legacy as an author who held nothing back, even when it involved the private life of a Hollywood icon.

The revelation has permanently altered how fans view the relationship between Princess Leia and Han Solo. The fictional romance, which once seemed like a perfect Hollywood pairing, is now seen through the lens of Fisher’s personal turmoil and Ford’s quiet complicity. It adds a powerful, if complicated, layer of depth to the Star Wars universe, intertwining the real-life struggles of the actors with the characters they immortalized.

In the years since the book’s publication and Fisher’s passing, the industry has continued to reflect on the dynamics of the relationship. It serves as a reminder that behind the fantastical costumes and blockbuster success of films like *Star Wars*, *Blade Runner*, and *Indiana Jones*, the people involved were navigating intense, often messy, human emotions. Fisher, the expert memoirist, ensured that her truth—and the truth of the "Carrison" affair—would not be forgotten. The candidness of *The Princess Diarist* remains a testament to her enduring, witty, and brutally honest spirit.