Steve Martin deletes Carrie Fisher tribute after being slammed on Twitter for calling her ‘beautiful’

The US comedian faced backlash on the social media site 
Backlash: Steve Martin has deleted his Twitter tribute to Carrie Fisher
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby29 December 2016
The Weekender

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The US comedian’s post was dubbed ‘sexist’ by some followers after he described the late Star Wars actress as being ‘beautiful’.

“When I was a young man, Carrie Fisher she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She turned out to be bright and witty as well,” the 71-year-old wrote on his account following news of her death.

A number of Fisher fans were quick to jump on the fact that Martin had focused on her physical attributes before her talent.

“I doubt Carrie would like to be remembered as a sex symbol first (but also smart!) I thought it was a tasteless tweet,” wrote one Twitter user.

In a blog post for NY magazine, Claire Landsbaum wrote: “That characterization of Leia — as a wet dream for prepubescent men — is something Fisher spoke out against her whole career.”

Other Twitter users described the backlash as an ‘overreaction’, with one person writing:

“People are ridiculous w/ the backlash over @SteveMartinToGo tweet. You're allowed to find someone attractive before judging other qualities.”

Carrie Fisher - In pictures

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The comedian subsequently deleted the post, despite the fact that many of his followers urged him to stick to his guns.

“The most egregious part of #SteveMartin #CarrieFisher tweet 'fiasco'? A 71 year old man let himself be #bullied into deleting a condolence,” wrote Twitter-user Burt Zercker.

“put that tribute back up. Nobody should tell you how to express yourself when paying tribute to a friend,” Vincent Coster tweeted the star to say.

Stars from across the entertainment industry paid tribute to Fisher after she passed away at the age of 60 following a cardiac arrest.

Her mother Debbie Reynolds died just one day later after reportedly suffering a stroke at her son’s house.

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