CNN

Kirstie Alley, ‘Cheers’ and ‘Veronica’s Closet’ star, dead at 71

Dec 5, 2022, 6:53 PM | Updated: 8:37 pm

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03:  Actress Kirstie Alley attends the "Kirstie" premiere party at Harlow o...

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Actress Kirstie Alley attends the "Kirstie" premiere party at Harlow on December 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)

(Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)

Originally Published: 05 DEC 22 20:44 ET
Updated: 05 DEC 22 22:26 ET

    (CNN) — Actress Kirstie Alley, star of the big and small screens known for her Emmy-winning role on “Cheers” and films like “Look Who’s Talking,” has died after a brief battle with cancer, her children True and Lillie Parker announced on her social media.

She was 71.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” the statement read.

“She 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,” the family’s statement continued. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”

“Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did,” the statement said.

Donovan Daughtry, a representative for Alley, also confirmed to CNN via email that the actress has died.

Career beginnings

A two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951.

After a standout role in 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” she played roles in movies like 1984’s “Blind Date” and 1987’s “Summer School” opposite Mark Harmon.

That same year, Alley would follow Shelley Long to play the lead opposite Ted Danson in the latter part of TV classic sitcom “Cheers,” which premiered in 1982. Alley first appeared in 1987, playing strong and independent bar manager Rebecca Howe, staying on the acclaimed show until it ended in 1993.

After winning the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series in 1991 for “Cheers” and another for lead actress in a miniseries or special for 1994’s “David’s Mother,” she again found TV success in the late ’90s with series “Veronica’s Closet,” which scored her another Emmy nod.

Additionally, Alley starred in a number of memorable films, like the “Look Who’s Talking” movies, 1990’s “Madhouse” and 1999’s “Drop Dead Gorgeous” with Ellen Barkin.

In 2005, Alley co-wrote and starred in the Showtime comedy “Fat Actress” before making a foray into reality TV.

She appeared in “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” in 2010, was a contestant on Season 12 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” the next year and placed second on Season 22 of the British version of “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2018. In 2022, she competed in Season 7 of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”

Though she had an impressive body of work, the later part of her career was marked by Alley’s penchant for stirring controversy, especially through social media.

In a 2007 interview, Alley said she was proud of her no holds barred ways.

“I’ve always felt like if someone asks me something, they want the real answer,” Alley told Good Housekeeping. “I think there’s also something about being from Kansas. Usually people think I’m from New York. The only similarity between New Yorkers and Midwesterners is that what you see is what you get.”

‘Her charisma was always iconic’

John Travolta, who costarred with Alley in 1989’s hit “Look Who’s Talking” as well as two sequels, wrote on Instagram on Monday, “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”

Jamie Lee Curtis — who worked with Alley in 2016 on episodes of TV’s “Scream Queens” — shared a statement on Facebook to pay tribute to the late actress, writing, “She was a great comic foil in @tvscreamqueens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life. She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas. We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”

Josh Gad tweeted, “My heart breaks for Kirstie and her family. Whether it was her brilliance in ‘Cheers; or her magnetic performance in the ‘Look Who’s Talking’ franchise, her smile was always infectious, her laugh was always contagious and her charisma was always iconic. RIP.”

“Baywatch” actor Parker Stevenson, who was married to Alley from 1983 to 1997 and is the father of her two children, also paid tribute to her on social media. In an Instagram post, confirmed to be Stevenson’s by a representative for the actor, he wrote: “Kirstie, I am so grateful for our years together, and for the two incredibly beautiful children and now grandchildren that we have. You will be missed.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

CNN

us capitol shown, government shutdown deadline approaching...

Lauren Fox, Clare Foran and Manu Raju, CNN

Border policy a key sticking point in Congress with shutdown deadline just days away

While government operations would halt if funding is not approved in time, the damage would be minimal if a shutdown is relegated to the weekend.

11 hours ago

Hitting peak time for the cherry tree bloom in Washington, D.C., can be a little tricky. But if you...

Aileen Graef and Elisa Raffa, CNN

‘Peak bloom!’: Cherry blossoms open early in DC, park service announces

Originally Published: 17 MAR 24 19:48 ET Updated: 17 MAR 24 19:55 ET (CNN) — The cherry blossoms lining the National Mall in Washington, DC, have hit “peak bloom,” bursting open in an early spring display after a warm winter, the National Park Service announced Sunday. “PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! PEAK BLOOM! Did we say […]

19 hours ago

Environmental Conservation officers seize an alligator from a home in Hamburg, New York, on March 1...

Zoe Sottile, CNN

Authorities seize 750-pound alligator named Albert from New York home

A New York man was forced to say “see you later" to his alligator after local authorities determined he was keeping the reptile illegally.

20 hours ago

Elon Musk, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Rupert Murdoch are pictured in a split ima...

Tierney Sneed, CNN

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family dissents after award in her name is given to Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family wants her name off an award due to it being received by Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch.

21 hours ago

Zach Edey of the Purdue Boilermakers blocks a shot during the second half of a game against Ohio St...

Issy Ronald, CNN

March Madness: Here are the top seeds for the men’s NCAA basketball tournament

The top four seeds are the Connecticut Huskies, Purdue Boilermakers, North Carolina Tar Heels and Houston Cougars.

1 day ago

The Biden administration is welcoming six new countries to a US-led pact to crack down on phone-hac...

Sean Lyngaas, CNN

US welcomes new governments to fight against spyware as it finds more American personnel have been targeted

The Biden administration is welcoming six new countries to a US-led pact to crack down on phone-hacking spyware.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Kirstie Alley, ‘Cheers’ and ‘Veronica’s Closet’ star, dead at 71