Actress Kirstie Alley may be best known for her role on the famous sitcom “Cheers.” She replaced actress Shelley Long on the show in 1987 and stayed with the show until it ended in 1993. She even won an Emmy for her role on the show in 1991. In 1994, she won another Emmy for her role in the TV movie “David’s Mother.”
Earlier this evening, Alley’s children, William True Stevenson and Lillie Price Stevenson, used their mother’s social media accounts to break the sad news that their mother has died. According to their post, Alley was “recently diagnosed” with cancer, and she lost that battle earlier today. She was 71 years old.
Her family was with her at the time she passed away. Her children wrote, “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 went on to acknowledge Alley’s TV and film career while also praising her as a mother. They wrote, “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
Her children also took the opportunity to praise the doctors who helped her fight for her life. They wrote, “We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care.”
They continued the post by listing some of Alley’s positive attributes saying that Alley had a “zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating.”
Her children ended the post by asking for privacy writing, “We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
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Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas. She moved to Los Angeles in 1980 and began her acting career. Besides “Cheers,” notable TV and film roles include “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” “Look Who’s Talking,” “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” “Village of the Damned,” “Veronica’s Closet,” “Kirstie,” and “Fat Actress.”
Upon hearing the news of Alley’s death, John Travolta, who played opposite Alley in the “Looking Who’s Talking” movies, posted a touching tribute to the late actress. He posted a couple photos of the two of them together and captioned the post, “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
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Alley is survived by her children and a grandchild.
