You probably remember the tongue. That long, pink ribbon of a thing that never quite stayed in his mouth. Gary Fisher the dog wasn't just a pet; he was a legitimate fixture of the Star Wars press circuit, a red-carpet veteran, and the ultimate sidekick to the late, great Carrie Fisher.
When Carrie passed away in late 2016, a lot of people were genuinely worried about Gary. He had been by her side on that flight from London to Los Angeles. He sat in the hospital waiting room. He was her "heart," as she often said, helping her navigate the choppy waters of bipolar disorder. People wanted to know: where did he go? Did he miss her? Is he still around?
Honestly, the story of Gary Fisher the dog is one of the few celebrity-adjacent tales that doesn't end in a mess. It’s actually pretty sweet, though it comes with a heavy dose of nostalgia for a woman who was—and remains—irreplaceable.
Who actually owned Gary Fisher the dog?
There’s a bit of a misconception that Gary was always Carrie’s dog. Technically, he started out as Billie Lourd’s pup. Billie, Carrie’s daughter, was the one who originally brought the French Bulldog home. But if you knew anything about Carrie Fisher, you knew she had a way of, well, "annexing" things she loved.
She "stole" him. Not in a criminal way, obviously, but she fell so hard for the little guy that he eventually became hers. Billie joked about it often, saying Gary was her "brother from another mother."
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The service dog role
Gary wasn't just there for the vibes. He was a legitimate service animal. Carrie was incredibly open about her struggles with mental health, and Gary was her anchor. He traveled everywhere. Cannes? He was there. The White House Correspondents' Dinner? Gary was on the guest list. He even had his own seat on planes while Carrie sat on the floor next to him because that’s just how they rolled.
- Breed: French Bulldog (brindle color)
- Signature Look: A tongue that was "one and a half times too big" for his mouth.
- Job Title: Emotional support and professional scene-stealer.
What happened after Carrie died?
When the world lost Carrie Fisher in December 2016 (and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, just a day later), the internet turned its eyes to Gary. A heartbreaking tweet from his "official" account—showing him looking out a window with the caption "I'll still be waiting for you"—went viral. It felt like the entire world was grieving with a four-pound dog.
Initially, there was talk that Billie Lourd would take him in. And she did, for a bit. But Billie was also mourning her mother and grandmother simultaneously while managing a massive career. Eventually, Gary found his forever home with Corby McCoin, Carrie’s long-time personal assistant.
This was probably the best move for Gary. Corby had been traveling with Carrie and Gary for years. She was already "part of the pack." To Gary, she wasn't a stranger; she was family.
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Retirement in the Sunshine State
In 2019, Gary and Corby traded the chaos of Los Angeles for the beaches of Florida. He officially "retired" from the spotlight. No more red carpets. No more flashbulbs. Just sand, naps, and probably a lot of high-quality treats. He lived a quiet life in Florida for years, with Corby occasionally posting updates to his Instagram—which, by the way, still has over 140,000 followers.
The end of an era: Gary’s passing in 2025
It’s hard to write this without getting a little misty-eyed, but Gary Fisher the dog passed away on January 30, 2025. He was nearly 13 years old, which is a respectable age for a Frenchie. Corby shared the news on Instagram, saying that Gary had "crossed the rainbow bridge to be with his mom." He died just three weeks shy of what would have been his 13th birthday.
Fans across the globe took it hard. It felt like the final, physical link to Carrie Fisher was gone. People shared stories of meeting him outside theaters or seeing him at comic-cons. He wasn't just a dog; he was a symbol of the bond Carrie had with her fans.
Why Gary mattered so much
You might wonder why people care so much about a celebrity's dog. It’s because Gary represented the human side of a global icon. Carrie Fisher was a princess, a writer, and a legend, but Gary showed her as a person who just needed a buddy to help her get through the day.
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He didn't care about Star Wars. He didn't care about her books. He just wanted to sit on her lap (or her head) and keep her calm. In a world that can be pretty cynical, that kind of pure loyalty resonates.
That famous tongue
A quick note on the tongue, because people always asked: Gary didn't necessarily have a "condition" like macroglossia, though some vets speculated. Carrie used to joke that the tongue was a "prize" that came with him. He was a "hooligan," according to Debbie Reynolds, but he was a hooligan with a heart of gold.
Gary Fisher’s legacy in the community
Gary’s presence did more than just provide comfort to Carrie; it actually helped destigmatize the use of service animals for mental health. Seeing a high-profile celebrity bring a dog to an interview on Good Morning America or to a movie premiere made it "normal" for others to seek similar help.
He wasn't a "pet" in the traditional sense. He was a medical necessity that happened to be incredibly cute.
How to honor Gary Fisher the dog
If you’re a fan and want to keep his spirit alive, there are a few things you can do that would probably make Carrie (and Corby) pretty happy:
- Support Frenchie Rescues: French Bulldogs often have health issues due to their breeding. Organizations like the French Bulldog Village or local rescues always need help.
- Advocate for Mental Health: Gary’s primary job was supporting Carrie’s bipolar disorder management. Supporting groups like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a great way to honor that bond.
- Adopt, Don't Shop (When Possible): Carrie actually got Gary from a "tragic pet store" that she suspected was a puppy mill. She often encouraged people to look into the origins of their pets to ensure they aren't supporting cruel breeding practices.
Gary Fisher lived a life most humans would envy. He saw the world, met everyone from Harrison Ford to Mark Hamill, and spent his final years napping on a beach in Florida. He was a good boy. The best boy. And while he's finally reunited with his "mom," his impact on dog lovers and Star Wars fans won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Actionable insights for fans
- Check out Gary’s Instagram: You can still scroll through years of photos of Gary and Carrie together. It’s a great trip down memory lane.
- Share your memories: On what would have been his 13th birthday (February 21), fans often post their favorite photos of the "Space Dog" using hashtags like #GaryFisher.
- Educate yourself on service animals: Learn the difference between a pet, an emotional support animal (ESA), and a trained service dog to better understand the role Gary played.