Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley
Name	Kirstie Alley
Caption	Alley in 2011
Birth name	Kirstie Louise Alley
Birth date	12 January 1951
Birth place	Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Death date	5 December 2022
Death place	Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1976–2022
Spouse	Bob Alley (m. 1970; div. 1977), Parker Stevenson (m. 1983; div. 1997)

Kirstie Alley was an American actress who rose to prominence for her acclaimed performance in the miniseries North and South and achieved widespread fame for her starring role on the NBC sitcom Cheers. Her career spanned over four decades, encompassing notable work in film, television, and reality television, earning her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. A prominent public figure, she was also known for her outspoken advocacy for Scientology and later ventures in business.

Early life and education

Kirstie Louise Alley was born in Wichita, Kansas, to parents who owned a lumber company. She attended Wichita Southeast High School and later studied at Kansas State University, initially pursuing a degree in psychology. Alley transferred to the University of Kansas, but ultimately left college before graduating to explore a career in interior design. Her early professional life included work as an interior designer in Wichita before she relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1970s to pursue acting.

Career

Alley's first major acting role was in the 1982 science fiction film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, where she played the Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik. Her breakthrough came with the 1983 miniseries North and South, which led to her being cast as Rebecca Howe on the hit sitcom Cheers in 1987. For this role, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991 and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. She successfully transitioned to leading film roles in the 1990s, starring in popular comedies like Look Who's Talking and its sequels, Sibling Rivalry, and It Takes Two. Later television work included the titular role in the sitcom Veronica's Closet, for which she received additional Emmy Award nominations, and appearances on shows such as Fat Actress and Kirstie. She also became a familiar figure on reality television, winning the Mirrorball Trophy on Dancing with the Stars and starring in Kirstie Alley's Big Life.

Personal life

Alley was married twice, first to her high school boyfriend Bob Alley, and later to actor Parker Stevenson; both marriages ended in divorce. She had two children, adopted with Stevenson. A longtime devoted member of the Church of Scientology, she was one of its most famous advocates and credited the organization with helping her overcome addiction. In later years, she launched a weight-loss brand called Organic Liaison and was involved in various business ventures. Her political views were generally conservative, and she was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump during his presidency.

Filmography

A selection of her notable film and television credits includes Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), North and South (1985), Summer School (1987), the Look Who's Talking film series (1989–1993), Cheers (1987–1993), Sibling Rivalry (1990), It Takes Two (1995), Veronica's Closet (1997–2000), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), and Scream Queens (2015).

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, Alley received numerous accolades, most notably a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her work on Cheers. She earned several additional Emmy Award nominations for both Cheers and Veronica's Closet. She also received People's Choice Awards and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995. Her victory on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars with professional partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy added a unique competitive award to her achievements.

Death and legacy

Kirstie Alley died at her home in Tampa, Florida, on December 5, 2022, from complications of colorectal cancer, which had only recently been diagnosed. Her death was announced by her children via her official social media accounts. Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, including from former co-stars like John Travolta and Ted Danson. She is remembered as a gifted comedic actress whose portrayal of Rebecca Howe on Cheers cemented her status as a 1980s and 1990s television icon, and as a bold, often controversial public personality who left a distinct mark on popular culture.

Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:1951 births Category:2022 deaths