Kirstie Alley Dies Aged 71: Cheers co-stars pay tribute to Kirstie Alley after her death
Kirstie Alley’s Cheers co-stars Kelsey Grammer and Rhea Perlman have paid tribute to the late actress after she died of cancer at the age of 71.
lley made her debut on the 1987 NBC sitcom as Rebecca Howe and quickly became a fan favorite for her role opposite Ted Danson’s bar owner Sam Malone.
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2C486WF Hollywood, California, USA 9th November 1995 Actress Kirstie Alley attends Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony for Kirstie Alley on November 9, 1995 at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, USA. Photo by Barry King/Alamy Stock Photo
Grammer, who played psychiatrist Frasier Crane opposite Alley in Cheers, admitted he loved the actress.
“I have always believed that the grief of a public figure is a private matter but I will say that I loved her,” the 67-year-old said in a statement provided to the PA news agency.
In a separate statement provided to PA, Perlman said she had “never met anyone remotely like” Alley, adding that she would miss her “very, very much”.
“Kirstie was a unique and wonderful person and friend. Her zest for life knew no bounds,” said Perlman, who played head waitress Carla Tortelli on the show.
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MNR3M1 PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: (LR) Actress Rhea Perlman, actor Woody Harrelson, actress Kirstie Alley and actor Parker Stevenson attend the 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 16,1990 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California . Photo by Barry King/Alamy Stock Photo
“We became friends almost immediately when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved children and my children loved her too.
“We stayed at her house with treasure hunts she started. She had huge Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children very much.
“I’ve never met anyone like her from afar. I’m so grateful to have known her. I will miss her very, very much,” added the 74-year-old.
It came after it was announced the death of Alley’s family, who described her as an “amazing mother and grandmother”.
“To all our friends far and wide around the world… We are saddened to announce that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer that was only recently discovered,” the family said.
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John Travolta, who starred with Alley in the Look Who’s Talking trilogy, said his time with the actress was “one of the most extraordinary relationships I’ve ever had.”
Travolta shared a picture of the couple together on Instagram and wrote, “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.
“I love you Kirstie. I know we will meet again.”
Jamie Lee Curtis said the couple had a “mutual respect and connection” as they worked together on the comedy horror series Scream Queens for the past several years.
“Just heard the sad news that Kirstie Alley has passed away,” the actress wrote, sharing a picture of them.
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T3M5YA John Travolta and Kristie Alley in the film Look Who’s Talking Now, 1993
“She was a great comic foil in Scream Queens and a beautiful mommy bear in her very real life. She helped me buy rompers for my family for Christmas that year.
“We agreed that we disagreed on some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”
Horror director John Carpenter described Alley as a “lovely actress”.
“Kirstie Alley was a delightful actress who I had the pleasure of working with on VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED. She will be missed,” he wrote.
Alley starred in the 1995 US science fiction horror film alongside Christopher Reeve, Linda Kozlowski, Michael Pare and Mark Hamill.
Living Color founder and guitarist Vernon Reid said Alley “defined herself with her on-screen performances.”
The English-American musician tweeted: “A lot of us are depressed right now.
“I can feel it. Kirstie Alley defined ‘relatable’. Beautiful and funny isn’t easy to pull off.
“Kirstie Alley was part of a small pantheon of the fearless and the shameless. She always spoke her truth on screen. In our TV rooms.
“She is missing. real time.”
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/cheers-co-stars-lead-tributes-to-kirstie-alley-after-death-aged-71-42198148.html Kirstie Alley Dies Aged 71: Cheers co-stars pay tribute to Kirstie Alley after her death