Let me tell you a story about Joely Fisher, the daughter of legendary singer Eddie Fisher and actress Connie Stevens. Growing up in Malibu, which wasn't the fancy, high-end place it is today, Joely had a front-row seat to the drama and glamour of old Hollywood. In fact, her mom Connie once joked about Debbie Reynolds, who lived nearby, saying, "Who is the [jerk] that has a swimming pool on the beach?" recalls Joely in an interview with Closer. Little did she know, Debbie was her dad’s ex-wife! Despite the quirks of their neighborhood, Joely spent seven years living next door to Debbie Reynolds, affectionately calling her "Momma Deb." She shares these and other tales of her upbringing in her 2017 memoir, Growing Up Fisher, painting Debbie as a "spectacular, interesting and charming" person.
It’s almost like destiny when you grow up surrounded by such talent. After finishing her studies at Boston’s Emerson College, Joely, now 54, launched into her own career as an actress, singer, and more recently, a screenwriter and director. “You can’t just sit around waiting for someone to say, ‘Oh, you’re the person I want for this job,’” she explains with wisdom earned from years in the industry. “You’ve got to keep creating opportunities for yourself, keep pushing forward.”
Joely Fisher: A Legacy in Showbiz
Considering your famous parents, you must have always known you were headed for a showbiz career, right?
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“Oh, absolutely! Since the day I was born, it was clear where my life was headed. In my memoir, I describe my family as living in a fishbowl. Everyone has been watching, scrutinizing, and judging us every step of the way. But as they watched us swim around, we’ve learned to perfect our stroke! We were like carnival performers, and I’ve embraced that lifestyle with open arms.”
Did you travel a lot with your mom as a child?
“Absolutely. We would go on the road with her. It wasn’t always glamorous; it wasn’t all first-class and limousines. My mom was a single mother working hard to support her family. She called me the gypsy, and I embraced that role. I knew from the very beginning that this was my life, and I’ve never looked back.”
Connie Stevens: The Heart of the Family
What’s your mom, Connie, like at home?
“She’s an incredible woman. While she doesn’t always practice what she preaches, she’s affectionate, generous, and has an incandescent spirit. A few years ago, she suffered a stroke, and I thought we might lose her. But she’s resilient! She says, ‘I bounced back!’ And while I might not describe her recovery as bouncing, we’re just thrilled to have her with us. She has eight grandchildren, and they adore her.”
What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from her?
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“When I was young, I had my first screen test. I didn’t get the role, and I was devastated. My mom sat me down and said, ‘It’s just a job. That role wasn’t meant for you; it was someone else’s. It doesn’t define who you are as a person.’ She repeated this lesson over the years, reminding me of how incredible I am, how proud she is of me, and what a great mother I am. Her words have stayed with me, and I’ve taken them to heart.”
Eddie Fisher: A Complex Bond
What was your relationship like with your dad, Eddie?
“I didn’t grow up with my dad, and he never really acted like a traditional father. But as I got older, we developed a real friendship, especially after I turned 16. He was amazing, and I adored him. He passed away 11 years ago, but the bond we shared was special. He may not have known how to be a dad in the conventional sense, but he made each of us feel like we were his favorite, and that’s something I’ll always cherish.”
Losing a parent is never easy.
“When my father passed away, my mom suggested we memorialize him. She still calls him ‘delicious,’ even after all these years. We threw a little party with bagels and lox in honor of my Jewish dad. My sisters and I gave speeches, and by the end, each of us had claimed to be
