Kirstie Alley — who made a name for herself on both television and film — has died after a private battle with cancer at age 71.
Her family announced Monday, "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.”
Kirstie was "surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead," her children wrote. "As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother."
After thanking the staff at Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida for their care, True and Lillie reflected on Kirstie's legacy.
"Our mother's zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating," they said, "were unparalleled and leave us inspiring to live life to the fullest just as she did.".
John Travolta wrote "
Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.
I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again".
One of her friends John Edwards wrote "
I am saddened to hear that Kirstie Alley a friend that I didn’t always agree with and who shared vastly different views than I has crossed over. From NORTH & SOUTH, to STAR TREK, to REBECCA on CHEERS…and the LOOK WHO’s TALKING franchise…she is talented, funny and a true believer in seeing the good in situations and in people.
My favorite personal memory of her is when my cell phone was ringing while I was in line at a grocery store in Johannesburg South Africa. She called to tell me that she was concerned for me. When I asked why? She replied that she had just seen another psychic on either the news or tv and just didn’t get a good vibe from them - and she was concerned that their being out there could affect the good work she felt I had done In the media previously.
I know now that you are in a place where everyone knows your name…
JE".
Kirstie Louise Alley (January 12, 1951 – December 5, 2022) was an American actress. Her breakout role was as Rebecca Howe in the NBC sitcom Cheers (1987–1993), for which she received an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991. From 1997 to 2000, she starred in the sitcom Veronica's Closet, earning additional Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Alley appeared in various films, including Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Summer School (1987), Shoot to Kill (1988), Look Who's Talking (1989) and its two sequels (1990–1993), Madhouse (1990), Sibling Rivalry (1990), Village of the Damned (1995), It Takes Two (1995), Deconstructing Harry (1997), For Richer or Poorer (1997), and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). She won her second Emmy Award in 1994 for the television film David's Mother.
In 1997, Alley received another Emmy nomination for her work in the crime drama series The Last Don. In 2005, she played a fictionalized version of herself on Showtime's Fat Actress. She later appeared on Kirstie Alley's Big Life (2010), and was a contestant on the 12th season of Dancing with the Stars (2011–2012), finishing in second place. In 2013, Alley returned to acting with the title role on the sitcom Kirstie. In 2016, she appeared on the Fox comedy horror series Scream Queens. In 2018, she was a contestant on the 22nd series of the British reality show Celebrity Big Brother, in which she finished as runner-up.
Kirstie Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Robert Deal Alley, who owned a lumber company, and Lillian Alley. She had two siblings, Colette and Craig. Alley attended Wichita Southeast High School, graduating in 1969. She attended college at Kansas State University, dropping out after her sophomore year. After moving to Los Angeles to pursue Scientology and work as an interior designer, Alley appeared as a contestant on the game show Match Game in 1979. She won both rounds, winning $500 in the first round and $5500 in the second round. She also appeared on the game show Password Plus in 1980. On both shows she described her profession as interior designer. In 1981, an automobile accident involving a drunk driver killed her mother and left her father seriously injured.
May her soul rest in peace Amen.
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