CNN
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Kristi Alley, an actress on the big and small screens known for her Emmy-winning role on “Cheers” and films like “Look Who’s Talking,” has died after a short battle with cancer, her children, True and Lily Parker, announced. social media.
She was 71 years old.
“We are saddened to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, which was recently diagnosed,” the statement said.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us assured of the never-ending joy of her life and the adventures that lay ahead,” the family’s statement continued. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an amazing mother and grandmother.”
“Our mother’s zest for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, her everlasting joy in creation was unparalleled and inspired us to live our lives, as she did,” the statement said.
Kirsty Alley’s sexy spin on ‘DWTS’
02:14
– Source: HLN
Alley’s representative, Donovan Daughtry, also confirmed to CNN via email that the actress had died.
A two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951.
After her breakout role in 1982’s “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” she starred opposite Mark Harmon in 1984’s “Blind Date” and 1987’s “Summer School.”
That same year, Alley would follow Shelley Long to star opposite Ted Danson in the second half of the TV classic sitcom “Cheers,” which premiered in 1982. Ally first appeared in 1987, playing the strong and independent bar manager Rebecca Howe. The acclaimed show ran until it ended in 1993.
After winning an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Cheers” in 1991 and for Lead Actress in a Miniseries for 1994’s “David’s Mother” and another lead actress, she regained TV success in the late 90s with the series “Veronica’s Closet.” . ,” which earned her another Emmy nod.
In addition, Alley has starred in many memorable films such as the movie “Look Who’s Talking”, 1990’s “Madhouse” and 1999’s “Drop Dead Gorgeous”.
In 2005, Alley co-wrote and starred in the Showtime comedy “Fat Actress” before breaking into reality TV.
She appeared on “Kirsty Alley’s Big Life” in 2010, was a contestant on season 12 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” the following year, and was runner-up on season 22 of the British version of “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2018. In 2022, she participated in season 7 of Fox’s “The Masked Singer”.
Although she had an impressive body of work, the latter part of her career was marked by Allie’s penchant for creating controversy, particularly through social media.
In a 2007 interview, Ally said she was proud of her no-holds-barred ways.
“I always felt that if someone asked me something, they wanted an honest answer,” Ally told Good Housekeeping. “I think there’s also something about being in 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.”
John Travolta, who starred with Ally in the 1989 hit “Look Who’s Talking” as well as two sequels, wrote on Instagram Monday, “Kirsty was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. I love you Kirsty. I know we’ll find each other again. See you.”
Jamie Lee Curtis – who starred alongside Ally in episodes of TV’s “Scream Queens” in 2016 – shared a statement on Facebook to pay tribute to the late actress, writing, “She was a great comic foil on @tvscreamqueens and a beautiful mama bear. Her real life. She helped me buy something for my family for Christmas that year. We agreed to disagree on some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”
Josh Gad tweeted, “My heart is broken for Kirsty and her family. Be it 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.”
Alley’s “Cheers” co-star Ted Danson told Deadline that he saw Alley on an episode of the show while on a plane before learning of her death.
“I was on a plane today and I rarely do something like this. I watched an old episode of ‘Cheers,’” Danson told the outlet. “It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirsty, who keeps saying no even though she wants to say yes. Kirsty was really brilliant at that. Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterical.”
“Thirty years ago when she shot that scene, she made me laugh and still makes me laugh today. I heard Kirsty died as soon as I got off the plane. I’m so sad and grateful that she made me laugh,” Danson added. “I send my love to her children. They know that their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”
Another “Cheers” star, Rhea Perlman, told CNN in a statement that she and Allie became friends immediately on the set of “Cheers.”
“Kirsty was a unique and wonderful person and friend. She was a joy to be around,” Perlman said. “When she joined the cast of Cheers, we became friends almost immediately. She loved children and my children loved her. We had sleepovers at her house with the search. She threw huge Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to be involved. She loved her children deeply. I’ve never met anyone remotely like her. For knowing her I’m so thankful. I’ll miss her so much.”
“Baywatch” actor Parker Stevenson, who was married to Allie from 1983 to 1997 and is the father of her two children, also paid tribute to her on social media. In an Instagram post, the actor’s rep confirmed it was Stevenson, writing: “Kirsty, I am so thankful for our years together and two amazingly beautiful children and now our grandchildren. You will be missed.”
