According to a family statement, Kirstie Alley Cheers Actress Dies of Cancer At 71. She was most known for her work on the comedy series Cheers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Her children stated, “We are heartbroken to inform you that our beautiful, strong, and loving mother has passed away.”
Kirstie Alley’s former castmates Ted Danson and John Travolta have led the tributes
For her work on the well-liked TV show as a waitress and pub manager, Alley received a Golden Globe and an Emmy award. The Kansas-born celebrity also starred in the TV sitcom Veronica’s Closet and the Look Who’s Talking movie series.
Her cancer was “just recently detected,” according to the family statement, which did not clarify what type she had. It continued, “She fought with incredible strength while surrounded by her closest family, leaving us with no doubt about her unending enthusiasm for life and whatever adventures lay ahead.
As well-known off the screen, as she was on it, she was an even better mother and grandmother. Her “zeal and enthusiasm for life, her children, grandchildren, and her many animals, not to mention her unending delight of creation,” were also lauded.
The cast of NBC’s Cheers: (Left to right) George Wendt, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, Ted Danson, Rhea Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer, and John Ratzenberger
Alley played cocktail server and bar manager Rebecca Howe on the popular NBC sitcom Cheers. She quickly won over viewers by thwarting approaches from Ted Danson’s womanizing bar owner Sam Malone.
Her character started out as a strong, independent lady, but after numerous failed relationships—often with wealthy men—she became increasingly insecure and frustrated.
She joined the show in 1987, during the height of its success, and continued to appear until its cancellation in 1993, appearing in 147 episodes.
Her portrayal of a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both poignant and wildly humorous, Danson said in a statement to Deadline.
He said, referencing the fact that he had seen an old episode of Cheers this week on a flight, “She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that moment, and she made me laugh today just as hard.”
He said, “I learned Kirstie had passed away as I got off the plane. “She always made me laugh, and I’m both incredibly sad and appreciative of that. To her children, I extend my love. They are well aware that their mother had a pure heart. She will be missed.”
The actor who played the psychiatrist Frasier Crane in the show, Kelsey Grammer, admitted that he had a crush on the actress.
John Travolta and Kirstie Alley starred in the 1989 film Look Who’s Talking
He told the PA news agency, “I always believed sorrow for a public figure is a private affair, but I will say I loved her.
Rhea Perlman, who played head waitress Carla Tortelli, said she had “never met anyone remotely like” Alley and would miss her “very, very much” in a separate statement made available to PA.
Kirstie was a special and admirable human being, according to Pearlman. Her sense of well-being was limitless. Added her: “When she joined the Cheers cast, we become close almost right away. She adored children, and my children did too.” She continued, “I feel so blessed to have known her.
After wrapping up filming on the final season of Cheers, Alley explained to US talk show host David Letterman in 1993 that she had convened a meeting of all the actors and the director, pitching the idea that the show should return for six more episodes so “we go out with style and class and we don’t let the fans down.”
She started crying hysterically as she made her pitch, sarcastically explaining how her best-laid plans then failed.
People were practically urging, “Go with it… let it out!” It was similar to a group therapy session, she added. “It was very low-class. Then I decided, Screw you people, I’m still young and have a career!”
Alley, a Kansas native who was raised in Wichita, dropped out of college and relocated to Los Angeles to work as an interior designer and further her interest in Scientology.
In 1982, she starred in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan for the first time.
Kirstie Alley Cheers Actress Dies of Cancer At 71 As Co-stars Share Condolences
After finding success in Cheers, Alley co-starred with John Travolta in the Look Who’s Talking family rom-com movie series.
Travolta paid his tribute by posting on Instagram. “One of the most unique relationships I’ve ever had was with Kirstie. I cherish you, Kirstie “He wrote next to a picture of her.
“I’m confident that we’ll cross paths again.” For the TV movie David’s Mother in 1993, Alley earned a second Emmy for best lead actress.
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She was the lead in the sitcom Veronica’s Closet from 1997 to 2000, playing the president of a lingerie shop in New York City. For this performance, she received more Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
She also starred in the dark comedy about a beauty competition Drop Dead Gorgeous from 1999. Additionally, she recently collaborated with Jamie Lee Curtis on the parody comedy-horror film Scream Queens.
According to a statement Curtis made online, the two shared “mutual respect and connection.”
She was a fantastic comic foil in Scream Queens and was a stunning mother bear in real life. Onesies for my family’s Christmas that year were purchased with her assistance.
