- - Cindy Williams Auditioned for Princess Leia in 'Star Wars': A Fascinating Hollywood 'What-If'

Nina DerwinJanuary 26, 2026 at 1:10 AM

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Carrie Fisher's performance as Princess Leia in Star Wars may very well be one of the most beloved and iconic in cinematic history, but it almost never happened.

Long before Fisher etched Princess Leia into pop-culture history, the role was up for grabs and attracted a surprising range of actresses, among them Cindy Williams, the beloved star of the hit '70s sitcomLaverne & Shirley.

Williams, who had worked with director George Lucas on American Graffiti, had already garnered attention for her film work, including a BAFTA-nomination for her performance in the film. Shortly thereafter, she auditioned for the part of Princess Leia in George Lucas' original Star Wars casting process. While she didn't land the role, the fact that she read for one of cinema's most iconic characters remains an intriguing piece of Hollywood lore.

Star Wars. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TNouZI.kMXsZUAmGRy6O3w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03MTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/83caddd91544f6ccd16f8c7854d0ff56>Star Wars. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TNouZI.kMXsZUAmGRy6O3w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03MTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/83caddd91544f6ccd16f8c7854d0ff56 class=caas-img>Carrie Fisher on the set of Star Wars. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Many years later, Williams reflected on the experience in an interview, and admitted that she never knew why she didn't get the part. "I don't really know what happened," said Williams. "I think George Lucas might have wanted to go younger. I was already starring in Laverne & Shirley by then."

Ultimately, Carrie Fisher won the part and became forever linked with Leia's mix of strength, wit and defiance when Star Wars hit theaters in 1977. But, the memory of Williams' screen test, preserved in archival clips and fan rediscoveries, offers a fascinating "what-if" moment in the cultural history of the galaxy far, far away.

Williams' successful career continued long after her Star Wars audition, anchored by her beloved role as Shirley Feeney opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne DeFazio and a steady string of film, television, and theater work. The on-screen friendship blossomed into a lifelong off-screen friendship, and the pair remained close until Marshall's death from complications with diabetes in 2018 at the age of 75. Williams died in 2023 after a brief illness at the age of 75.

Watch a clip of Williams' audition for Princess Leia in Star Wars below.

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”