Kirstie Alley’s cause of death revealed

A spokesperson for the late actress, who died from a “recently discovered” disease, has confirmed her official cause of death.

Kirstie Alley died at 71 after a brief battle with colon cancer, her representatives have revealed.

A spokesperson for the veteran actress confirmed the official cause of death to People.

Kirstie Alley died at age 71 after a short battle with cancer. Picture: Getty Images

A funeral has not yet been confirmed but the Church of Scientology is said to be planning a memorial service at Flag Land, its headquarters in Florida.

Rolling Stone reports that Alley was one of Scientology’s most well known celebrities since joining in 1979 after she credited its drug rehab program, Narconon, with helping her kick a cocaine habit.

The star’s children, True and Lillie Parker, issued a heartbreaking statement confirming the tragic news of her death on Tuesday afternoon.

“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.

Kirstie Alley with her son True and daughter Lillie Parker. Picture: Getty Images

Kirstie Alley at the 1994 Emmy Awards.

“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.”

pic.twitter.com/g4nAItrR5x

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) December 6, 2022

Alley’s former husband, Parker Stevenson, paid tribute to the late star with a touching message in the form of a letter on Instagram.

“Dear Kirstie,” he wrote, “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. With love, Parker.”

Parker Stevenson and Kirstie Alley attend the 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 1992. Picture: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The former couple tied the knot in 1983 and welcomed their son True, 30, and daughter Lillie, 28, before calling it quits in 1997.

Alley’s Cheers co-star Ted Danson also remembered the star in a moving statement.

“I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. I watched an old episode of Cheers,” Danson, who played Sam Malone in the beloved series, said in a statement to People.

“It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes.”

Ted Danson has made a moving tribute to Kirstie Alley.

Danson told how Alley’s ability to portray Rebecca Howe was “both moving and hysterically funny.”

“As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died,” Danson said.

Alley’s final moment on camera was on September 8 in an Instagram post announcing she was on the Cameo app.

“A bunch of you have asked me to do these greetings, and I always do what you ask me to do,” she said in the video.

“If you want something funny or you want something sincere — I would really try to be sincere,” she joked. “Like sort of like ‘Hi, I love you’ or ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘I want a divorce.’ Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

Superstar John Travolta, Alley’s good friend and Look Who’s Talking co-star, led the tributes, declaring her to be “one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had”.

“I love you Kirstie, I know we will see each other again,” Travolta posted.

Alley’s Scream Queens co-star Jamie Lee Curtis also shared her grief, calling Alley “a great comic foil” and “a beautiful mama bear”.

Tim Allen, Alley’s co-star in the comedy For Richer or Poorer, said the star’s death was “sad, sad news”.

Alley shot to fame in 1987 when she starred as Rebecca Howe on the long-running sitcom Cheers.

She earned a Golden Globe for best actress and an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in 1991.

Kirstie Alley with good friend John Travolta in the 1989 hit film Look Who's Talking.

The radiant actress with Cheers co-star Ted Danson.

Kristie Alley starred in the long-running sitcom Cheers.

She went on to receive her second Emmy win for her portrayal of Sally Goodson in David’s Mother in 1994.

Alley helmed another hit TV series through the four seasons of Veronica’s Closet in the late 90s and in recent years, had joined the ranks of he television talent quests, first in Dancing With The Stars and then earlier this year in the American series of The Masked Singer as the Baby Mammoth.

Kirstie Alley a in scene from Veronica's Closet.

The iconic star touched millions of TV viewers.

Kirstie Alley with comedian Tim Allen in For Richer or Poorer.

Alley’s first marriage was in the 70s to her childhood sweetheart Bob Alley, who coincidentally had the same name as her father.

She and her second husband, actor Parker Stevenson, were married for 14 years and adopted their two children True and Lillie.

Alley first landed on the radar of sci-fi fans in her film debut in 1982 in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, playing the Vulcan Starfleet officer Lieutenant Saavik, a role which she refused to reprise over a pay dispute with producers.

A sweet soul pass on in Kristie Alley. Sad, sad news. Prayers for all her family.

— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) December 6, 2022

In recent decades, she was as famous for being a celebrity Scientologist as she was for her acting.

While screen stars including William Shatner, Robert Patrick, Kelsey Grammer and Jamie Lee Curtis respectfully marked Alley’s death, the actress claimed last year she was “blackballed” by Hollywood for expressing her political opinions on social media.

She tweeted support for Donald Trump’s first campaign for the US presidency - after voting for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 - and despite withdrawing the post, said she had suffered for her political views.

“People go, “You’re so brave.” I go, “No, I think I’m stupid”. Because honestly… it is a real blackballing situation,” she told Fox News. “It’s so strange to me because artists are free-thinkers, for the most part.”