Losing her battle with colon cancer, Cheers actor Kirstie Alley has passed away at the age of 71 years. The family confirmed the news stating that she had passed away on Monday. “We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. 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.” Wrote her children, True and Lillie Parker.
Jamie Lee Curtis was very fond of the Cheers star
Jamie Lee Curtis, who worked with Alley on Ryan Murphy’s series “Scream Queens,” wrote that though they “agreed to disagree about some things,” the two “had a mutual respect and connection.” Alley was quite vocal about her support for Donald Trump starting with the 2016 presidential election. “She was a great comic foil in @tvscreamqueens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life.”
Curtis continued. “She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas. We agreed to disagree about some things but had mutual respect and connection,” Curtis concludes. “Sad news.” The co-star took to the media to express her emotions about losing someone who could be seen as a true and honest friend.
A sad moment for many
John Travolta, who starred alongside Alley in the 1989 rom-com “Look Who’s Talking,” posted a throwback photo of Alley on Instagram, writing: “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had. I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
Cheers co-stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and Kelsey Grammer all shared statements about the star’s passing. Danson revealed in his statement that he was on a plane watching the episode of Cheers where she repeatedly refuses to marry Don Santry (Tom Berenger) despite what her heart wants just hours before the news struck.
They poured out their hearts about the co-star
“Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny. She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard,” Danson shares. “As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died. I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”
“Kirstie was a unique and wonderful person and friend. Her joy of being was boundless. We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created. She had massive Halloween and Easter parties, and invited the entire crew of the show, and their families wanting everyone to feel included. She loved her children deeply. I’ve never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her. I’m going to miss her very, very much.” Said Rhea.
“Whether you agreed with her or not, Kirstie Alley was an undeniable talent who brought joy to many – through the screen and with her warm, hilarious spirit,” Jackeé Harry writes about a legacy in the industry. “RIP, luv. You were one of a kind.”
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Sources
- “Ted Danson, John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more pay tribute to the late Kirstie Alley.” AV Club. Hattie Lindert. December 5, 2022
- “John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis and More Remember Kirstie Alley: ‘We Will See Each Other Again’.” Variety. Ellise Shafer. December 5, 2022
- “Jamie Lee Curtis, overwhelmed with emotion, makes the heartbreaking statement..” Interesting Pages. December 9, 2022.
- Instagram. Jamie Lee Curtis
