Kirstie Alley Cause of Death, Revealed; Hollywood Stars Mourn Shocking Passing of ‘Cheers’ Actress

Kirstie Alley, a two-time Emmy-winning actress, passed away from cancer, according to a statement from her family. Alley was best known for her work on the comedy series Cheers in the 1980s and 1990s. She was 71.

"We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away," her children posted on social media, as reported by BBC.

For her part as the tavern manager and waitress on the Cheers, Alley earned both an Emmy and a Golden Globe. She won her second Emmy for the telemovie "David's Mother" in 1994, in which she portrayed the mother of an adolescent with autism.

The actress has also joined the cast of Veronica's Closet, and the film series Look Who's Talking. Her loved ones rallied around her, and she battled valiantly, giving us hope that she would continue to enjoy life no matter what was ahead.

"As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother," the statement reads.

In addition, they complimented her zeal and love for life, her children, grandkids, and numerous animals, not to mention her tremendous delight in creativity.

Kirstie Alley's Career and Life

Alley portrayed bar manager and cocktail server Rebecca Howe on the popular NBC comedy Cheers, where she quickly became a fan favorite for successfully fighting off the overtures of Ted Danson's womanizing bar owner Sam Malone. After establishing herself as a strong, independent woman, Howe constantly fell victim to disastrous relationships, usually at wealthy men's hands, which only made her more insecure and dissatisfied.

Kirstie Alley first joined the cast in 1987, during the height of the show's success, and remained until the series' cancellation in 1993, for a total of 147 episodes.

Former interior designer and Wichita, Kansas, native Kirstie Louise Alley was born in 1951. She settled in Los Angeles in 1980. Alley has prior ties to the Church of Scientology; she credits the Narconon program, which is linked with the Organization, with helping her overcome her cocaine addiction, according to Variety.

Before starring in Cheers, she first appeared in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" in 1982. She went on to star in "Blind Date" and the "North and South" miniseries in 1985. Afterward, Kirstie Alley co-starred with Mark Harmon in the smash comedy "Summer School" in 1987.

Shocking Death

On Monday night, Alley's family confirmed on Twitter that Kirstie Alley's cause of death was cancer, which was "just diagnosed." However, they did not elaborate.

Fox News reported that Hollywood stars like John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, and many more are saddened by Kirstie Alley's death. Kristie Alley's co-star in "Look Who's Talking," John Travolta, sent an Instagram tribute to his pal on Monday night.

On Monday night, Jamie Lee Curtis posted on Instagram about the "mutual respect and connection" she and her co-star shared.

Curtis expressed her sentiments on the "tragic news" of Kirstie Alley's passing: "She was a great comic foil in @tvscreamqueens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life. She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas.

The Halloween star noted that they "agreed to disagree about some things but had mutual respect and connection."

On Monday, actor Tim Allen posted a tribute to Alley on Twitter. He said: "A sweet soul passed on in Kristie Alley," and expressed his disappointment at the news of Kirstie Alley's death. The veteran actor also remarked that her family is in his prayers.

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United States, Entertainment, John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tim Allen, Hollywood, Comedy