Kirstie Alley dies aged 71 after secret health battle

Cheers and Look Who’s Talking actress Kirstie Alley has died after a short, private health battle, her family has confirmed today.

Kirstie Alley’s children have confirmed the actress has died after a short battle with cancer.

Alley, 71, who starred in Cheers, Veronica’s Closet and a number of popular films in the 90s, has been remembered as an “incredible, fierce and loving mother” in a statement posted from her official Twitter account.

“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. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an ever more amazing mother and grandmother,” her daughter Lillie Parker and son True wrote.

pic.twitter.com/g4nAItrR5x

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) December 6, 2022

The siblings remembered their mother’s “zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did”.

They went on to thank the “incredible team of doctors and nurses” at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

“We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time,” the statement concluded.

Alley’s close friend John Travolta, who she starred alongside in Look Who’s Talking, remembered the actress on social media following the news of her death.

“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.”

Alley made what was to be her final appearance on social media on September 9, three months before her death, telling fans in a video message that she’d joined the celebrity platform Cameo.

“A bunch of you have been asking to do these greetings, and I always do what you ask me to,” Alley told her followers. “If you want something funny or something sincere … Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

Tributes have begun to flow for the star on social media, with fans and friends remembering her impact on the entertainment industry.

In recent years, she had attracted headlines for her social media presence, facing backlash for supporting former US President Donald Trump.

Last year, the actress told Fox Nation’s Tucker Carlson Today she was “stupid” for publicly backing Trump on Twitter, revealing it led her to be “blackballed” in Hollywood.

“People go: ‘You’re so brave.’ I go: ‘No, I think I’m stupid.’ Because honestly … it is a real blackballing situation,” Alley said.

Kirstie Alley has passed away at the age of 71. Cheers to an icon. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/Kv8OW2ZDsd

— Taylor Banks (@MsTaylorBanks) December 6, 2022

Shocked and saddened by the news of Kirstie Alley. https://t.co/7usp1x43R4

— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) December 6, 2022

Hollywood lost one of their brightest shining stars today with the tragic passing of Kirstie Alley.

Kirstie loved her country and President Trump, and she will always be remembered for her award winning role in Cheers.

Rest in Peace. America will never be the same.

— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) December 6, 2022

Kirstie Alley and John Travolta dancing in 1989’s ‘Look Who's Talking’ will forever live in my mind #RIPpic.twitter.com/ms0QSPbTZL

— 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗬 𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗦 (@TommySledge) December 6, 2022

Alley first found fame in 1987 in her breakout role as Rebecca Howe on NBC’s Cheers.

In 1991, she earned a Golden Globe for best actress and an Emmy for outstanding lead actress for her role in the sitcom. In 1994, she received her second Emmy win for her portrayal of Sally Goodson in David’s Mother in 1994.

Alley was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995.

Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer available for a limited time only >

Alley and Ted Danson in a scene from Cheers.

A reliable comedic presence, she co-starred with Tim Allen in For Richer or Poorer and was part of the impressive ensemble of satire Drop Dead Gorgeous.

In 2010, her life was chronicled on the A & E reality TV series Kirstie Alley’s Big Life. More recently, she’s made the rounds on reality TV, with stints on Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Big Brother. She was also in the US version of The Masked Singer this year.

On the big screen, Alley also held roles in 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).

Before she was an actress, Alley was an interior designer in LA. She had long been involved in the Church of Scientology, and sought treatment for a cocaine addiction through the church, which she continued to credit for her sobriety throughout her life.

Alley was married from 1970 to 1977 to her high school sweetheart Bob Alley. In 1983, she married actor Parker Stevenson, to whom she gave a memorable shout-out for giving her “the big one” over the years during her award acceptance speech at the Emmys in 1991.

The couple split after 14 years of marriage in 1997. They had two children, Lillie, and William True.