"She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living," said the family in a statement.
The star of Cheers and Drop Dead Gorgeous, Kirstie Alley has died at the age of 71. Alley's children True and Lily Parker announced the actor's passing in a statement, reported The Guardian. "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered," they said in a statement."
"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," they continued. "As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother. Her children remembered her zest and passion for life, her children, her many pets, and of course, her craft.
A sweet soul pass on in Kristie Alley. Sad, sad news. Prayers for all her family.
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) December 6, 2022
In the same statement, they thanked the "incredible team of doctors and nurses" at the Moffitt Cancer Center. They ended the statement by thanking the fans, "We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time" Following the announcement many people took to social media to offer their condolences, Alley's friend and former costar John Travolta paid tribute to the actress. "Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I've ever had. I love you Kirstie," he shared alongside a snap of the late star. "I know we will see each other again" Valerie Bertinelli also shared her condolences on Twitter, writing, "Oh Kirstie, Rest in Peace"
#KristieAlley en #LookWhosTalking.
— Stivi De Tivi (@StiviDeTivi) December 6, 2022
pic.twitter.com/PIx3l4ZJ6G
Alley got her big break when she joined the cast of NBC's Cheers as Rebecca Howe. Alley bagged a Golden Globe and an Emmy for outstanding lead actress for her part in the Boston-based series. She went on to earn her second Emmy for her portrayal of Sally Goodson in David's Mother in 1994. Alley's most known roles are, Veronica's Closet (1997-2000), Fat Actress (2005), Kirstie (2013-2014), and Scream Queens (2015-2016), as well as films like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Summer School (1987), Look Who's Talking (1989), It Takes Two (1995) and Drop Dead Gorgeous(1999).
Alley’s ex-husband, actor Parker Stevenson also paid tribute to her. “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.” Ted Danson, who starred opposite Alley in Cheers as Sam Malone told Deadline, "I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of Cheers. It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes. Kirstie was truly brilliant in it. Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny. I will miss her.”
References:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/dec/06/kirstie-alley-dies-aged-71-cheers-look-whos-talking-actor
https://deadline.com/2022/12/cheers-ted-danson-kelsey-grammer-rhea-perlman-mourn-kirstie-alley-1235190504/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jamie McCarthy
