Kirstie Alley, star of Cheers and Look Who’s Talking, dies aged 71

KIRSTIE Alley, who co-starred in the iconic sitcom ‘Cheers’ and a whole host of hit movies such as ‘Look Who’s Talking’, ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’, ‘Summer School’, has died of cancer at the age of 71.

Her death was confirmed by her children, William “True” Stevenson and Lillie Parker Stevenson, which was also posted on social media. Her manager confirmed her death as well. 

The actress had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and was receiving treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, according to her family.

John Travolta, Alley’s friend and co-star in the Look Who’s Talking movies, paid tribute to her in a statement.

Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951, Kirstie Louise Alley became a star in 1987 when she joined the cast of ‘Cheers’, playing the character of Rebecca Howe, after series lead Shelley Long left the show. Alley had recently starred in the 1987 film ‘Summer School’, and was recommended by director Carl Reiner. 

Before ‘Cheers’ she was in movies such as ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,’ ‘Blind Date’ and the 1985 miniseries ‘North and South.’ In `1987 she starred opposite Mark Harmon in the hit comedy ‘Summer School’, which helped her earn the role in ‘Cheers’. 

In 1991, when she won the lead actress Emmy and delivered a famously bawdy speech, when she thanked her husband, the actor Parker Stevenson: “I’d like to thank my husband, Parker, the man who has given me the big one for the last eight years.” 

In 1994, she won a second Emmy for the 1994 television movie ‘David’s Mother’, playing the mother of a teenager with autism.

Other career highlights include ‘Veronica’s Closet’ (1997-2000), the meta 2005 comedy ‘Fat Actress’ and co-starring with Travolta in the three ‘Look Who’s Talking’ movies, a trilogy that started in 1989, and were huge hits. 

Later on, Alley spent a lot of time in reality television, documenting her weight loss efforts in ‘Kirstie Alley’s Big Life’, and being a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Big Brother and The Masked Singer.

Alley was married twice, divorcing her second husband Parker Stevenson in 1997. She leaves behind two children, whom she adopted with Stevenson. – The Vibes, December 6, 2022