John Travolta leads tributes to Kirstie Alley

John Travolta has paid emotional tribute to Kirstie Alley after her shock death – his second co-star to have died within months.

Blockbuster legend John Travolta has led tributes to Kirstie Alley, who has died aged 71.

The Cheers star lost her short battle with a “recently discovered” cancer, her family announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Travolta, 68, who starred alongside Alley in the 1989 romantic comedy Look Who’s Talking and it’s two sequels, posted an emotional message about his friend on Instagram, alongside a photo of the pair smiling at one another.

“Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. I love you Kirstie,” Travolta wrote. “I know we will see each other again.”

John Travolta paid tribute to his former co-star Kirstie Alley on Instagram.

Alley’s death marks a double tragedy for Travolta in as little as four months, after the death of Australian actress Olivia Newton-John in August.

The pair starred in the iconic 1978 musical film Grease and had remained close friends in the decades since.

At the time of her death following a lengthy battle with cancer, Travolta shared a touching message for his “forever” friend.

“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much,” he wrote at the time.

“We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever. Your Danny, your John!”

Olivia Newton-John died in August. Picture: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Travolta also suffered the loss of his wife, actress Kelly Preston, in July 2020.

Preston, who was just 57, died of breast cancer after keeping her two-year battle with the disease a secret.

The couple had been married for almost 30 years and had three children, one of whom – son Jett – died at the age of 16 after a seizure.

Kelly Preston died of breast cancer in 2020. Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

It comes as members of the entertainment industry mourn the loss of the two-time Emmy winner, who made headlines in recent years for drifting to ring-wing politics.

Some of the tributes pouring in have come from those prominent in conservative circles, including Candace Owens and Megyn Kelly.

So sad about Kirstie Alley. She was so sweet.

Sending love to her family. ❤️

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) December 6, 2022

I just head the news about #KirstieAlley. I’ve not spoke w/ her forever, but have her to thank for launching my career. She told me I was funny every single day on Veronica’s Closet, and I believed her. She threw the best parties and gave the parakeets as our wrap gift. Godspeed.

— Ever Carradine (@EverCarradine) December 6, 2022

I'm sorry to hear Kirstie Alley has died. She was a Trump supporter and she blocked me, so we were not on the same page politically but that woman was immensely talented, hysterically funny and I'm grateful for her unforgettable contribution to entertainment. RIP.

— Kimberley Johnson 🇺🇦 (@AuthorKimberley) December 6, 2022

I felt lucky to know you @kirstiealley. Rest in peace, my friend. 💔 pic.twitter.com/2kNk7YUdM3

— Adam Carolla (@adamcarolla) December 6, 2022

This is such sad news. A beautiful, brave, funny and beloved woman. Rest in Peace, Kirstie Alley. https://t.co/3kUpIkV7QB

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) December 6, 2022

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

— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) December 6, 2022

Not Kirstie Alley. One of the most iconic TV actresses of all time.
Hilarious. Outrageous. Honest.
Rest in peace, you incredible lady. pic.twitter.com/uZB60fVtI7

— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) December 6, 2022

Kirstie Alley was a delightful actress I had the pleasure to work with on VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED. She will be missed.

— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) December 6, 2022

Alley’s star shined the brightest in the 1980s and 1990s, when she was in a raft of high-profile movies and TV projects.

She joined the cast of Cheers, then one of the highest ratings TV shows in the US, and also led and produced her own sitcom, Veronica’s Closet, for three years.

Alley won an Emmy in 1994.

In this century, Alley’s acting gigs were more inconsistent, booking guest roles in the likes of Scream Queens, Without A Trace, The Goldbergs and The King Of Queens.

More recently, she’s made the rounds on reality TV, with stints on Dancing With The Stars and Celebrity Big Brother.

She was also on the US version of The Masked Singer this year.